Suggestions to Survive Christmas in an Economic Crisis

This year with the economic crisis, Christmas is making us cringe, especially when it comes to wondering how we'll satisfy our family and friends in regard to gift giving.

This year will be the first year where, "cutting corners," literally means cutting down on the number of gifts, "Santa," delivers beneath the tree. Employers are curtailing employee Christmas bonuses and cancelling extravagant office holiday parties, due to business budget cuts. Unfortunately some employees are depending on these bonuses, to use as income to buy their family's Christmas gifts and pay for extras on the table at their Christmas dinner. The economic crisis is forcing us to tighten our belts, and become, "Ebenezer Scrooge."

How do we explain to our children that hundred dollar video games they had on their list for months won't be under the tree? Do we tell our children who still believe in the jolly, fat old man in the red suit, that the North Pole is in the midst of a critical budget crisis because Santa's attempting to keep his toy factory out of foreclosure? Should we tell them Santa had to lay off two hundred elves so he won't be able to keep up with toy production this year, and children will be getting fewer toys this year? Johnny's bike and Sally's dollhouse unfortunately had to be erased off Santa's long list so every child around the world can receive a present.

Will our children understand we can't buy expensive brands of clothing or sneakers, because you need to keep a roof over their head, food on the table, gas in the car, and oil to keep them warm? Is it fair to place this burden of understanding on innocent children during Christmas season?

Christmas is the season of joy, good will and love. I'm offering a few suggestions to assist in salvaging Christmas this year. Ways to keep the excitement of Christmas alive for children, and also hopefully help you out in this economic crisis.

1-RECYCLE CHRISTMAS PARTY

This is not the time to feel ashamed because of monetary distress, because we're all in the same boat. Gather your friends together and have a, "Recycle Christmas," party. Guests should bring good to excellent condition used toys, ones your children have outgrown or are bored with. Have guests browse through the collection and hopefully find items they could use for their own children. If more than one guest desires the same item, place names in a bowl and have a non-participant select the winning name.

The important thing to remember in a recycle party means no exchange of cash, I repeat, no selling merchandise. What you bring to the party you offer freely. This is not a garage sale; the idea is to help each other deal with the economic crisis.

Christmas decorations pile up in closets, attics and garages. Have your guests sort through their collection and bring ones they no longer want or need. Remember items have to be in good to excellent condition. You don't want to share chipped or non-working items with your friends.

Bedroom closets are usually filled with clothing we've out grown, and our children and partners have out grown. I'm sure there are still price tags on many items you just never had a chance to wear or garb your child in. Recycle them at this party.

Bring house wares and tools, gifts you never had the time to return and no longer are returnable, or gifts that just aren't suitable for you or your family. Just remember not to re-cycle items given to you by the hostess or any friends attending the party, unless you're absolutely sure it won't cause a problem. Please be considerate, don't bring your trash just to get rid of it. One way to remedy this behavior is let guests know they have to take back anything that's not recycled at the party, or locate a place willing to accept what you don't recycle, in order to assist other economically stressed families.

One considerate person has to volunteer her home for the recycle party, and extend invitations via phone or e-mail. Decide how many people you wish to have in your home and whether you want guests to bring another person with recycle items to add to the shopping spree. Keeping in with the nature of the party, the hostess will provide coffee, tea and whatever drinks they choose, and each guest must bring a dish, whether it's only a snack plate or a dish to share. This way no one has to spend excess unavailable money.

2-CLIP AND EXCHANGE COUPONS

Years ago coupon clubs were the rage, now's the time to rethink this method of saving money at stores. Take the time to cut coupons out of magazines, newspapers and store circulars. It may seem consuming at first but once you start organizing them in a wallet sized coupon sorter, you'll find it easy. You can even share coupons with your friends and neighbors. For example, if you know a friend or neighbor who has a baby or toddler, cut out baby coupons and offer them. They may be refused, but a dollar off coupon can assist in cutting the budget at the cash register. They'll help make a difference when it comes to providing food for our family. Today we can use all the available assistance out there.

3-FOOD STORES

Take a little extra time to explore through store circulars. Some stores have great bargains in sales coupons for items you use frequently. Take advantage of this. Using store cards offer additional bargains and cents off. Collect from various stores and use them for even greater savings. I shop at a store that offers points towards gas and food savings. I get ten cents to forty cents off a gallon of gas when I shop after collecting points. They add up quickly if you're in the store once or twice a week. Shop in stores that offer additional bonuses or double coupons, just be careful of expiration dates, both in coupons and point return. This time of year stores are offering free turkeys for certain points.

4-CHRISTMAS CARDS

Save on expensive, impersonal Christmas cards. Unfortunately most people don't bother reading the contents anyway before hanging them on their wall card display.

I offer another way to cut corners in this economic crisis and still share greetings to friends and family. Download an image of something you believe truly represents Christmas and print it up on computer paper. Write a short personal note explaining the meaning of your image. If you communicate via email, forward the image in an email note to your network of family and friends. You'll save on expensive stamps and everyone will fully understand what the economic crisis is doing to family budgets.

5-CHILDREN AND FAMILY INVOLVEMENT

Have your family get involved this Christmas. This is the time to explain to your older children about family budgets and economic difficulties without frightening them. Let them know there will be a price limit to what you can afford this Christmas and allow them to offer you several ideas of what they would like within budget limits.

Have children decorate Christmas cards in their own individual way. Christmas is for children, have them get involved. Their card project can be something you give to teachers, babysitters, dance school teachers, or the soccer manager. You can offer a plate of homemade cookies along with the card. This gift has more meaning than the expensive garbage we usually buy because we have no idea what to get relative strangers.

Have young children get involved with Christmas decorating. Tell them you want to have a traditional Christmas. Stringing popcorn and making paper chain garland can turn out to be a great family activity.

These are just a few suggestions to salvage Christmas in an economic crisis. You can bring family closer as you reinforce the fact Christmas isn't only about gifts you receive, or the gaudy excess of decorating we start to do right after Halloween. Christmas is about love.

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