The "Holidays on a Budget" tips thread

[barbeml]

Hey mods, maybe we can make this a sticky?

I need help with ideas for a "budget" holiday season, so I figure some of you guys do too. For the past few years, we have spent a ridiculous amount of $$ on the holidays. While we don't have kids, we have 26 family & close friends PLUS colleagues to buy for. That does not include tips, entertaining, cards & stamps, the cost of food & liquor to bring to other gatherings or New Year's Eve/Day celebrations. In addition, in December we have My Dad's 70th bday, my Mom's bday, FIL's bday, stepmom's bday, inlaws' anniversary and my best friend's 50th.

I want to emphasize that we have never gone into debt for the holidays, but like everyone else, we are facing huge increases in gas & heating costs, and our property tax bill is going to double (or worse) next year. Add to that DH's company is in trouble and our income has been reduced by thousands this year.

So, how about if we all share our most clever ideas to have great holidays for less! Here are a couple of mine:

* I have been making the best use I can of my rewards cards & rewards sites to get the most for my shopping dollars, and will use some rewards as gifts.

* I am doing gift baskets that will include some store-bought and some homemade edible gifts. This has enabled me to buy some things in bulk.

* I really want to skip the Christmas cards, with the exception of maybe ten people we rarely see.

* I went to papermart.com & Oriental Tading to order some of the gift basket stuff I need in bulk and at good prices.

Please share your best tips!

Thanks!

 

[crazyme5kids]

Alright, I am going to suggest something shocking. Talk to everyone that you exchange with, friends and family and tell them you want to simplify the holiday season. Ask them if they wouldn't mind not exchanging gifts anymore. I'll bet you a lot of people will be feeling the same way. If you all feel the need to do something, have your family do a grab bag type thing or everyone draw one name and only get a gift for that person (set a dollar amount too). Do the same with work colleagues as well as friends.

Start talking about it now. I've done it and can tell you no one misses getting or giving a gift. The only thing that is missing is the extra holiday stress .

 

[crazelion]

Go to Flea markets, Dollar Tree, and Dollar General you can find cheap gifts that look expensive. That's what I do. I shop all year for Christmas gifts when see something the sore that look good I buy for pennies but usually cost alot at places.

I understand about everything coming at once around the hoildays with birthdays, work dinner potlucks.

Shopping for the hoildays start looking at sales papers and stuff. I just order for my Family gathering for Pre-thanksgiving day meal a platter for the Honey Baked Ham store that only cost 19.99.

The key is start early buy gifts so everything won't be so expensive.

I done with all my Christams Shopping this year.

Simple Cheap ideas that I bring to the partys at work. Because I have a limted income.

2 for 1 2 liter sodas
Devil eggs platter made from home
Chips and dip

I don't care what think of me. I bring what I can afford if don't like it tough.
I believe the hoildays get out hand when people try out do each other.

 

[Shanan]

I was the "Scrouge" person in my family in 2002. I am one of four kids who are grown and married. The kids now have kids also. I told my family in 2002 that I did not want any Christmas gifts from anyone. I said that I would still buy for the kids (under 18) but no more for the adults. That did not go over well at all. After being called Scrouge by a sibling, I said I don't care what you call me that it was time to quit giving stuff to one another. If they wanted to go out and buy something then we would all contribute money and adopt a family from the Angel Tree. We have done that since then and everyone now feels that it was the best thing.

For gifts in the office, I make homemade peanut brittle. I buy Christmas tins after Christmas (1/2 off). I give tins of peanut brittle away to my co-workers. My best friend and I exchange food now. She makes the best home-made lasagna and I fix her brittle. I really believe that if you are honest with your family and friends that you can put a stop to the buying and shopping.

 

[EthansMom]

First, I would make up a list of all of the people/events for which you need to purchase gifts/food/etc. and then write down ideas of appropriate gifts and then estimate a dollar amount for each item. If you set it up in Excel, you can get it to all add up on it's own. It's really stunning to see how $40 per person for 20 people adds up to $800.

I agree with the PP that you should go ahead and talk to some people now and arrange to not exchange gifts this year. We stopped exchanging gifts with most of the adults in our family a couple years ago and it has worked out well.

I hope this helps!

 

[pearlieq]

1.) For large families, grab names rather than buy for everyone. It's better to buy a $20 nice present for someone rather than a random $5 candle.

2.) Talk to close friends/family members with whom you've exchanged big gifts in the past. Explain that you're trying to cut back on Christmas bills and looking for a simpler and smaller Christmas. You don't need to mention any specifics, but it's nice to get them a heads up so they don't get you a pricey gift. You'll be surprised at how relieved people will be.

3.) Use your talents. Are you a good cook? Make a basket of yummy edibles (our dollar stores have great holiday baskets!) for friends. Make homemade jarred cookie mixes for teachers, neighbors, and others that you'd like to acknowledge with a small gift. Can you sew or crochet? A scarf in a flattering color is always useful. Are you crafty? Homemade soaps or candles also make nice presents.

4.) Look for deals on gifts and stock them up during the year. Buy your wrappings right after Christmas and keep them for the year.

5.) Resist starting an obligation to exchange gifts. Say you meet a new friend/neighbor this year and you like them. Around Christmas maybe you start thinking it would be nice to get them a little something. DON'T!!! RESIST THE URGE!!! Find a nice card, write a kind, personal note, and wish the person happy holidays! You'll still be able to express kind sentiments without getting into the gift giving trap.

6.) Stay realistic about your budget. Set an actual dollar amount that you can spend over the holidays and hold to it! It's really easy to get caught up in emotions and want to buy all sorts of things for people you love. You must catch yourself and step back from this. Hugs, visits, and conversation are love. A new Cuisinart is not love.

7.) Cut back on liquor. Do you need alcohol at every party? Do you really need to offer a full bar? Maybe just wine and beer would be enough. You could possibly add one special cocktail (mimosas for a holiday brunch, buttered rum or spiked punch for holiday parties).

8.) Cut back on foods offered at parties. Do you really need to offer 3 main dishes and 6 desserts? I don't think anyone will feel deprived if there are only 4 side dishes or 2 kinds of pie. Those pricey nuts and chocolates are nice, but I bet no one would notice if you skipped them.

10.) If you do entertain a lot over the holidays, try to throw brunches and/or dessert parties. Both are much cheaper than lunches/cocktail parties/dinners and just as festive.

11.) Buy durable decorations. Choose a nice artificial tree (easier, cheaper, and better for the environment) and buy artificial swags. You'll get years of use out of them and won't have to go through the hassle buying them every year.

12.) Get some perspective. Spend at afternoon at the local soup kitchen/food pantry or help the Salvation Army or United Way put together gifts for underpriviliged families.

 

[MickeyMacks]

Here's a way to think globally and act locally. Go to www.worldvision.com and click on the Gift Catalogue link at the bottom of the home page to see what amazing things can be bought for $50 and under! I have been planning to do this for awhile and I think it would go over well with many families.

Why spend that $50 on a family who has everything they need, when you can purchase a special and unique gift on their behalf for a family who DOESN'T have everything? It's a way to get out of the insular mindset of our North American culture and actually act on the lessons of the man who's birth we're honoring in the first place.

It'll give you and your family a special Christmas feeling to know that your money is being spent on something that will be truly appreciated and have lasting value - unlike the $50 trinket you'd have bought otherwise. (Of course, you can still buy fun stuff for the kids in the family - but admit it, anything we adults really "need" we've already bought ourselves. We are so very fortunate.) Don't we exclaim every Christmas that there is "too much" under the tree, anyway?

If you must have something to put under the tree for all those family members, how about glass ball ornaments, boxed singly with a note in each about what gift was donated on their behalf, and hand painted by you with the year, their name and this message:

"Peace on Earth, good will to men..."

 

[MickeyMacks]

Pearlieq, that's great advice about how to entertain over the holidays! Thanks!

 

[btass]

Here is a link to a website with gift ideas on it for frugal people (like me)

http://www.betterbudgeting.com/homemadegifts.htm

 

[canwegosoon]

Sachets with lavander and inexpensive fabric ends are a great gift. I make home made apple bread as gifts for teachers (it is an old scratch recipe) and sometimes depending on time I might make jam(I have a peach tree) or apple butter. Many people appericate a home made gift if it is something they will use, and is good tasting. Also our AC Moore has some great smelling candles for $3.33.

Also instead of throwing a dinner party, you can always have other famlies over for (Christmas) cookies/desserts and watching a Christmas movie with hot chocolate. I also make popcorn balls(they also make great gifts)...great for kids and winter.

 

[cami89]

I've given a "movie night" gift basket/set to families, in the past, and they have been very appreciated - not to mention that they are reasonable to put together!

Start with a large plastic bowl or pail - you can find these in holiday colors and/or with holiday decorations on them at Wal-mart. Fill them with several packs of microwave popcorn (various varieties like kettle corn, etc), candy bars, and a coupon for a free movie rental from Blockbuster.

 

[disynut]

I love this thread! I too want to stay within a "reasonable" amount this holiday. We pretty much know how much we'll spend on family, but it's the teacher's gifts, gifts for the secretaries at my school(I'm a librarian in a middle school), and etc. that I struggle to find nice but inexpensive gifts for. Last year I got these little baskets from the dollar spot at Target, got some holiday dish towels(the nice bigger ones) from TJ Maxx and bought some of the Bath and BOdy works hand soaps when they were on sale. I put all of this in a basket with a mini poppyseed cake. It was probably around $6 for everything in each basket and I felt like it was something that they could use.

For family we've gone to gift certificates. I know it may seem impersonable to some, but we buy gift certificates to places they would go anyway(gambling boat for inlaws...they bought us SWA gift certificates and we LOVED IT!) Hmmm....are there still places you can join to buy discounted gift certificates? Used to be called Hotwire, I think. That might be worth looking into!

I would love to find something that I could make to give away with the gift certificates, but alas, the time involved hinders me from learning new things!

Jen

 

[jacksmom]

This is a great thread! I would love some more "budget" Holiday meal ideas! And also more Homemade gift ideas!

 

[Julia M]

I keep a list all year of who I want to buy for.

I try and buy one gift card a month, (we live in CA, so they don't expire), for the people I want to do gift cards for.

I also put away $50 per month, in a savings account, for Xmas.

I have made "cookie kits" for friends. I make sugar cookie dough and gingerbread dough. I put it in tubs, and make frosting and give a couple of cookie cutters and sprinkles. People loved it, because the had the fun of making cookies with their kids, and it was ready to do. My kids teachers REALLY appreciated it, since they were so busy, too. It wasn't that hard, since you're making big amounts of dough at once.

I LOVE Kohl's clearance. I have bought $30 earrings for $5, and candles and picture frames for $2 or $3. I like to give something like this, either with a gift card, or in a basket. I have learned the hard way, though....I try and buy smaller things, because storing it all year can be a pain!!

I also use the 40% and 50% off coupons that come in the ads for Michaels. I just bought my nephew a Thomas wooden train set for $12 (usually $25) I bought dd a latch hook set for Xmas (Eyeore) for $13, rather than $26.

We have a local flea market once a month. I find bargains there, also. Last year I found a great sports t-shirt for oldest ds (some football player jersey) It was half the price it would have been at the store and no tax.

Julia

 

[staci]

Just FYI, I was at dollar tree last night and they have boxed disney christmas cards! I bought three boxes! I always like to send out cards, it is the one time of the year I sit down and get in touch with all the people who have been important in my life.

 

[RadioFanatic]

I have 28 people to shop for and only have 5 left to do. And I've only spent $250 - I did this by getting the disney direct sales for all of the kids, 10 of the yankee candles which were for sale and used the reebok sales to buy for 4 other people. So the presents are expensive presents that just happened to be on sale. I start buying EARLY and only buy when things are on sale. I epect to be done by the end of this month and will start wrapping in November.

 

[Marcy Mouse]

A good ideal is to make a snowman ordiment. Two white glass balls small and large hot glued together, fabric for a scarf (fray it on the ends - flannel works nice) some twigs you can buy a small grape vine wreath at the dollar store. Sharpen a pencil and paint the tip orange cut it off and hot glue it on. you can get a paint pen at a craft store in black to make the eyes, mouth, buttons (coal) and then on the back of the ordiment wrirte Merry Christmas Mom (or whoever) 2005.

They are inexpensive and because you made it, it makes it all the more special.

Hey mods, maybe we can make this a sticky?

I need help with ideas for a "budget" holiday season, so I figure some of you guys do too. For the past few years, we have spent a ridiculous amount of $$ on the holidays. While we don't have kids, we have 26 family & close friends PLUS colleagues to buy for. That does not include tips, entertaining, cards & stamps, the cost of food & liquor to bring to other gatherings or New Year's Eve/Day celebrations. In addition, in December we have My Dad's 70th bday, my Mom's bday, FIL's bday, stepmom's bday, inlaws' anniversary and my best friend's 50th.

I want to emphasize that we have never gone into debt for the holidays, but like everyone else, we are facing huge increases in gas & heating costs, and our property tax bill is going to double (or worse) next year. Add to that DH's company is in trouble and our income has been reduced by thousands this year.

So, how about if we all share our most clever ideas to have great holidays for less! Here are a couple of mine:

* I have been making the best use I can of my rewards cards & rewards sites to get the most for my shopping dollars, and will use some rewards as gifts.

* I am doing gift baskets that will include some store-bought and some homemade edible gifts. This has enabled me to buy some things in bulk.

* I really want to skip the Christmas cards, with the exception of maybe ten people we rarely see.

* I went to papermart.com & Oriental Tading to order some of the gift basket stuff I need in bulk and at good prices.

Please share your best tips!

Thanks!

 

[Adrienne]

Here in Oz Kmart and Target have huge sales in July. We put stuff on layby (u guys call it lay-away), which they offer until Xmas eve on no deposit. Gives us almost 6 months to pay for it which is fantastic.

Adrienne

 

[barbeml]

Wow, there is some GREAT stuff here! I forgot to mention that one of the items we always budget for is a contribution to the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen. That never gets cut from the budget.

You guys are awesome and inspiring! Keep them coming!

 

[rnrlover]

POSTED BY PJLLA who didn't realize she was signed in under DD's name!!

Great ideas here.... but realistically, this thread should have been started last December. The BEST buys for next year start right after this year's Christmas. Marked down cards, wrap, bows, cookie tins, etc are found in abundance in early to mid January. And the toy clearances start in late January to February. While it is hard to know ahead of time what a child is going to want, some stuff is "classic" and easy to buy ahead (blocks, wooden train sets, dolls, tinkertoys, etc). I have been buying for Christmas since about June. Got some great stuff on toy clearance at TRU. I got my nephew an older (maybe antique??) hardcover copy of his favorite story, "Robinson Crusoe" at a tag sale this summer. You just have to think hard and keep looking!................P