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How to Celebrate Christmas when
You Can’t Afford to Celebrate Christmas
by Nancy Twigg
When gathering with friends for caroling, when’s the last time you sang
this song: "Have a pricey, costly Christmas…"? Or what about this one:
"O Christmas bills, Christmas bills, how much this season costs me!"?
Okay, maybe these aren’t the words to real Christmas songs, but they
might as well be since so many of the typical Christmas traditions
involve spending. Just think about all the dollars each year that go for
gifts, wrapping paper, Christmas trees, decorations, greeting cards, and
traditional meals with all the trimmings. While each of these traditions
has its place, the cost of them all can be burdensome for families who
are struggling this year due to layoffs, unemployment and other
financial setbacks.
So what do you do if your family cannot afford to celebrate Christmas in
the traditional pricey fashion? Are there ways to enjoy the holiday
season without all the spending? Thankfully the answer to this question
is "yes." Here are several ideas for keeping the celebration
inexpensive, yet meaningful for your family.
* Handcrafted gifts and decorations – Experience the joy of giving
something made with your own two hands. Handmade gifts are not only
unique but they also show you care enough to invest time, energy and
creativity into your giving. Check out books from the library or do an
Internet search for homemade gift ideas. The same goes for decorating
your home. Instead of buying decorations, use your creative abilities
plus things you already have on hand to give your home a festive look
and feel.
* Electronic Season’s Greetings - Sending Christmas cards instead of
gifts is a great way to save money, but the cost of store-bought cards
adds up quickly. Even if you make your own, the cost of postage can be
restrictive for those on a tight budget. For friends and relatives who
use email, consider sending electronic Christmas cards instead. Many
websites send e-cards for free, and they offer a wide variety of cards
from which to choose. Visit www.Gcards.com or www.123greetings.com or do
an Internet search for other free greeting card sites.
* Free family activities – When cutting corners, don’t cut out all the
fun. Look for ways your family can enjoy quality time together without
spending. Check your newspaper’s community calendar for free church
programs, musicals or community events. Just driving around, looking at
Christmas lights and sipping homemade hot cocoa can be great fun when
you do it together.
* Focus on giving rather than receiving – Instead of moaning about what
you can’t afford this year, why not focus on how you can give of
yourself? Many non-profit organizations need extra helping hands during
the holiday season. Contact your local Volunteer Center or United Way
office to inquire about opportunities for service in your area.
Volunteering together allows family members to experience the joy of
giving without expecting anything in return.
* Low-cost or no-cost gift giving – Rather than exchanging gifts with
extended family members and friends, plan a special evening together
with each family during the holiday season. Enjoy a simple meal and then
watch a favorite holiday movie or do a giant jigsaw puzzle together
while munching on popcorn and snacks. Another option is to give gifts of
time or service such as free babysitting, housecleaning, cooking, etc.,
to those on your gift list. Look for ways to give meaningfully instead
of materially.
About the author
Nancy Twigg is the author of Celebrate Simply: Your Guide to Simpler,
More Meaningful Holidays and Special Occasions. For more information
about low-cost, high-value celebrations, visit Nancy online at
www.celebratesimply.com
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