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 While it’s true that our economy could use a boost from
holiday spending, I want to give you a couple tips to help keep Christmas
meaningful, fun, and memorable, without blowing your budget. After all, even if the economy does
pick up with all the extra shopping, it won’t pay your Visa bill for you.
Tip #1
Be creative.
Don’t get stuck in the rut of thinking you need to spend a certain
dollar amount on each person on your list. Some of my favorite gifts have been acts of service, like a
candlelight dinner with my husband.
A thoughtful gift that shows how well you know the recipient is much
more memorable and personal than an expensive gift that is not appreciated. How many gifts have you received that
no doubt had a high price tag, but didn’t really fill a need or even a want?
Tip #2
Think charitably.
In most middle and upper class American homes, everyone already had way
more stuff than they need and they fight clutter constantly. If that sounds like your family,
consider using some of your shopping dollars to help those in need. Adopt a low income family for Christmas
where you buy their gifts for them.
Or consider sending some money overseas to help those just struggling
for survival. One of my all time
favorite gifts was a flock of chickens through Heifer International. (Visit www.heifer.org
for to see how you can give a goat, camel, llama, or any number of other crazy
gifts to a family in need. Gift
certificates and a description of the program are provided to the donor and are
fun to unwrap on Christmas Day.)
If you have young children, this is a great opportunity to teach them
the importance of compassion for others through active demonstration.
Tip #3 Skip obligatory gifts. To the extent that you can handle potential hit on your
social capital, you may want to skip (or at least reduce) the gifts that you
give only out of a sense of obligation.
These gifts are insincere by definition and can really suck the fun out
of the weeks leading up to the big day.
Manage expectations by talking with friends and relatives ahead of time
to avoid potentially awkward you-got-me-something-but-I didn’t-get-you-anything
moments.
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