THIS WEEK we look closer at reducing the financial stress of Christmas while basking in the spirit of joy, peace and love.
This will take the ultimate commitment to the motto: “if you don’t have it, don’t spend it!”
Having examined our budget, this Christmas is tighter than ever before. Yet we want to do the usual gift-giving. Really, that is a want, not a need! Let’s all stop and think of creative ways of stretching our severely reduced 2012 budget. Let us seek to be highly appreciative of our loved ones and considerate of the less fortunate, yet innovative in containing the costs. Here are some suggestions:
You can stretch your budget by considering gifts like arranging a joint outing to the cinema, going to a free live show or visiting a local site of interest. Start by making the invitations as fancy as possible yet home-made and building the excitement in how they are delivered. Emphasize that attendees will be sharing your amusing company.
When you can afford more time than money, home-made gifts such as cakes, sweets, jellies, wine, clothing and other craft items can make precious and memorable presents.
Then, even arranging a get-together for family and/or friends and supplying and serving the food and drink of the season can be your special treat. This will only involve an extension of your grocery shopping and taking the time to make the arrangements and to prepare the meal.
You even get a chance to use your best dinner service that has been in storage for years. It is an occasion where your guests and your family can feel very special, complete with photographs of the event for all.
Alternately, the gift of a personal/beauty care service is different. Can you provide a credible manicure, pedicure, haircut and/or shampoo service, for instance? A service along these lines with your extra flair would be particularly appreciated by older people who tend to give up on these little extras when living on a fixed income.
For those friends or family members who show an interest, can you undertake to teach or to coach an activity such as playing a musical instrument, game or sport, or mastering some other art or craft?
Then, many adults would be touched to receive a special card enclosing a sincere letter of love and appreciation. When last did you say “I love you” in a grand, fancy way to those important people in your life? This is a simple, yet effective gesture. For example, putting together a short skit for your parents to be performed on Christmas day just before the family luncheon could be indelibly memorable . . . depending on the quality of the scriptwriting and of the actors!
The precious gift of your time, service and knowledge is valuable in other ways. You can commit to doing a special chore or service for a week, month or even the entire year to come.
In all your giving, do remember those in need, the homeless, the shut-ins, the sick, the handicapped, the hungry and the abused. It takes little of your time to volunteer to help the needy, to encourage and cheer them through your presence. Maybe you can give food, sing a Christmas carol or use some other talent. Whatever you can do is probably appreciated more than anything else that you do for the entire season.
Louise Fairsave is a personal financial management advisor, providing practical advice on money and estate matters. Her advice is general in nature; readers should seek advice about their specific circumstances.
