Ten (more) ways to trim your holiday budget
Has holiday spending gone too far? If you're looking for a way to enjoy the season but still stick to a frugal holiday budget, see if these ideas inspire you.
Red pepper jelly over caviar
While we do all love the fancy cheese and top-notch wines, there are ways to feed your guests for less. Look for recipes that rely on seasonal sales and produce, or revamp past favourites for a retro menu that's both funky and inexpensive—baked apples, anyone?
Redo the timing
Sometimes the savings are all in the date: take your friends out for breakfast, or try a cocktails-only or brunch event rather than a full-out dinner.
De-glitz your agenda
Instead of buying tickets to the hottest show in town, check out what local churches and community groups are offering by way of holiday celebrating. Go for a drive to admire the lights around town. Or just break out the cards and light a fire at home.
Time rather than money
Rather than stalking the mall for gifts for the person who has everything, try an invitation to tour local lights or participate together an outdoor sport instead. Pack along a thermos of hot chocolate and some sandwiches and give the gift of your time rather than hitting your credit-card limit. And giving new parents babysitting hours is always a great gift.
Save on token gifts
Do co-workers really want that ribbon-wrapped candle or box of inexpensive brandy beans? Try a card with a note about something they've done for you or a way they've inspired you instead. Real appreciation doesn't have to involve packaged goods. And others may be thankful you've bucked the trend.
Go homemade and vintage
Let's face it: Not all of us are expert quilters, nor do we want to stay up until 2 a.m. playing Martha Stewart. But that doesn't mean you can't go homemade; just look for unusual but low-stress recipes, like this vanilla sugar. Keep an eye out at charity shops or dollar stores for unusual sugar bowls and you have a gift that's low-stress, homemade, and charming.
Get grateful
One way to refocus your holiday spending is to get in touch with those who have less. Volunteer for a local Meals-on-Wheels programme, food bank or soup kitchen—as early in the holiday madness as possible. You may look at that stack of catalogues quite differently.
Be a borrower
Looking for the perfect glass container in which to place your heirloom ornaments? Ask around; your friends might have one languishing in the storage closet, and it's only for a few weeks.
Partner up
Get your partner on board: Agree to exchange token gifts and spend time together rather than stressing over the January bills, or consider going in together on something you would buy in any case, like a family membership at the gym.
Get real
There is no perfect gift that will ease tension between you and a sibling or a selection of finery that will ensure that you and your son's girlfriend will be best friends forever—and that's okay. You are fine as you are; you don't have to overspend to prove it.
Get your holiday spending under control: Strategies to curb gift-giving gone mad. Get in the holiday spirit with 20 ways to do good and more ways to give back.
This article is original content on More.ca
