Saving the best gifts for the ones you love
Issue date: 11/9/08 Section: FYI
(ARA) - It's hard to get excited about the holidays when it costs more to fill up your gas tank than it does to buy a Christmas tree.
Making plans for the holiday season is more stressful when you're on a tight budget, and it's easy to find yourself down in the dumps when you'd rather be decking the halls. So what can a cash-poor holiday elf do to keep her spirits up and gifts under the tree on a shoestring budget?
1. Don't panic.
If Santa can supply gifts for the children of the world in one night, anything is possible. You, too, can have an amazing holiday season without breaking the bank or the spirit of the season -- it just takes a little planning ahead. By starting a few weeks early and sticking to a timeline, you can give yourself some much-needed breathing room come crunch-time. You'll even have more time to enjoy the season with family and friends because you'll be tackling your to-do list over time, not all at once.
2. Get serious about your budget.
It's time to get serious with your budget -- start by writing down how much you want to spend on holiday gifts, cards, decorations and celebrations. If your total doesn't reflect the reality of your bank account, start over. While it's hard to cut costs on special items like Uncle Pete's favorite slippers, these items can easily be covered if they're in your budget at the start. Stick to your budget -- but create a slush fund to cover unexpected surprises, like that last-minute secret snowman gift for the office party. If money is scarce but your list is long, consider starting a new holiday tradition: send an easily shared group gift to relatives, such as a harvest basket full of tasty seasonal treats. You'll save money by avoiding individual gifts and make gift giving a breeze in the future by carrying on your new tradition.
3. It's the thought that counts.
When you give a gift, you're letting someone know you care, no matter how big or small that gift is. If you think you're not spending enough on loved ones for the holidays, remember how special you feel when you get something nice from someone in the mail -- it's always nice to be remembered. In this day and age of e-mail and instant gratification, going out of your way to do something kind for someone speaks louder than words or a gift card from a big-box store.
Making plans for the holiday season is more stressful when you're on a tight budget, and it's easy to find yourself down in the dumps when you'd rather be decking the halls. So what can a cash-poor holiday elf do to keep her spirits up and gifts under the tree on a shoestring budget?
1. Don't panic.
If Santa can supply gifts for the children of the world in one night, anything is possible. You, too, can have an amazing holiday season without breaking the bank or the spirit of the season -- it just takes a little planning ahead. By starting a few weeks early and sticking to a timeline, you can give yourself some much-needed breathing room come crunch-time. You'll even have more time to enjoy the season with family and friends because you'll be tackling your to-do list over time, not all at once.
2. Get serious about your budget.
It's time to get serious with your budget -- start by writing down how much you want to spend on holiday gifts, cards, decorations and celebrations. If your total doesn't reflect the reality of your bank account, start over. While it's hard to cut costs on special items like Uncle Pete's favorite slippers, these items can easily be covered if they're in your budget at the start. Stick to your budget -- but create a slush fund to cover unexpected surprises, like that last-minute secret snowman gift for the office party. If money is scarce but your list is long, consider starting a new holiday tradition: send an easily shared group gift to relatives, such as a harvest basket full of tasty seasonal treats. You'll save money by avoiding individual gifts and make gift giving a breeze in the future by carrying on your new tradition.
3. It's the thought that counts.
When you give a gift, you're letting someone know you care, no matter how big or small that gift is. If you think you're not spending enough on loved ones for the holidays, remember how special you feel when you get something nice from someone in the mail -- it's always nice to be remembered. In this day and age of e-mail and instant gratification, going out of your way to do something kind for someone speaks louder than words or a gift card from a big-box store.
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