Simple Christmases that are low on cost but high on meaning are possible.
In fact, a $10 limit is possible if you carefully plan your holiday spending.
The first step to achieving a small holiday limit is to make the decision to hold down spending.
Tell relatives and friends you can’t afford to exchange gifts. This can be hard to do, but you may find that keeping holiday spending down can pay off in some unexpected ways.
Next, decide how to spend your budgeted Christmas funds. Will some be spent on the adults, or will it all be spent on the children?
GIFT OPTIONS
Be creative when shopping for inexpensive gifts. It is amazing how many things you can find for children — balloons, bubble mixture, magnifying glasses, magnets, jump ropes, jacks, supplies for craft projects, crayons and glue.
Adults can exchange beautiful and often touching gifts which cost little or no money. Some ideas include an original poem, handcrafted items that are sewn, knitted, crocheted, needle pointed, built or painted or coupon booklets for free meals or babysitting.
Families who have tried this low-cost Christmas have found it was the nicest they’ve ever had. Older children feel they are playing an important part in helping the family through a difficult time. Young children rarely complain about broken toys on the day after Christmas. And adults enjoy the feeling of knowing there won’t be large bills to try to pay in January.
NO CHRISTMAS DEBT
While a $10 Christmas may sound extreme, the idea of setting a limit and sticking to it may be appealing. If your budget is tight, why not try a $10, $25 or $50 Christmas?
When January and February arrive, you won’t feel so overwhelmed by the bills that appear in your mailbox. Also, you may feel a sense of pride in sticking to your budget and perhaps giving of yourself rather than the bounty found on the stores’ shelves.
There is also a good chance those inexpensive and thoughtful gifts will bring out the best in everyone and will be more meaningful.
A simple card from a girlfriend with a homemade coupon for free babysitting could be the very gift a friend would appreciate.
Often it is not a gift a person needs but free time to do much needed things in their home or just something for themselves. Think outside the box this Christmas and seek ways you can help a friend that does not require money being spent but freely giving of yourself.
• Jennifer Russell is an area child and family development agent for the Mississippi State University Extension Service. You may contact her at 453-6803 or jtb20@ext.msstate.edu.
