Living on a Tight Budget – Part 8

One of the hardest times of the year for people to keep their checkbooks in order is Christmas time. There are so many presents to buy for so many people. We often face a mindset that says we have to buy presents and it is ok to procrastinate until the last couple weeks before Christmas to do so. Here are some ideas that could help.

The first one I have heard of is to buy Christmas presents for the following year right after Christmas while they are all on sale. Though this could be risky because there is a whole year to find new stuff or hope that the person does not buy whatever you got on their own, it is one way to find inexpensive gifts.

A second idea is to generate a list of who to buy for right after Christmas and then set aside one person per month or per couple months to buy something for so that you are not hit with one big bill all at once.

A third idea is to get creative. I like to wood burn clocks and other various projects. A piece of wood you could buy at Hobby Lobby for three dollars could become a piece worth twenty or fifty dollars or more depending on how much time and effort you put into the project. Many people appreciate homemade gifts more than store bought ones because of the time and thought behind what was given.

A fourth idea is to give time coupons. In the past I have given my mom coupons for a night off of doing the dishes or a good back rub. I think she has forgotten to cash in on them in every case, but she really loved the gesture. Maybe she is just storing them up for when she is older and has a harder time getting around.

A fifth idea is to draw names in the family so that you only buy one present for one person. Many people will put a dollar cap on this type of giving so that one person does not get a hundred dollar gift while another one only gets a ten-dollar gift.

A sixth idea I have heard about is to give money to some charity that the family likes. As a family you can decide on the charity and on the dollar amount and let that be your Christmas present.

One last idea is to go to a homeless shelter on Christmas and help out there. Those at the homeless shelter probably have no family to celebrate with, and those who choose to spend their time with the lonely are greater blessings than they could know. More suicides happen around the holidays than any other time. One of the greatest Christmas presents you could give is the gift of hope and love to one who otherwise would not receive any.