Making Plans for a Frugal yet Joyous Christmas

It can be difficult to rein in spending at Christmas time because it’s a beautiful and joyous season, and the urge to celebrate God’s gift to the world with gifts and gatherings for friends and loved ones is natural. But it can all add up quickly, and if you figure in extras like food and entertaining and gift wrap and decorations, it’s not surprising that many families are stunned when they do the math and realize just how much they spent!

Start your Advent by contemplating the utter poverty and humility of the Child Jesus at Christmas.

He was humbled in the womb of the Virgin,
needy in the manger of the sheep,
and homeless on the wood of the Cross.
Nothing so humbles the proud sinner
as the humility of Jesus Christ’s humanity.”
St. Anthony of Padua

This frame of mind helps to keep your priorities straight when it comes to spending. And here are four simple ways to be more prudent about it.

Frugal Gifts

• Set your Christmas budget early, ideally 3-6 months before the holiday comes.
• Make a list and stick to it, thereby cutting down on impulse purchases. For the past few years, we’ve stuck to a plan of buying one “main” gift for each child and then a second small one.
• Let go of guilt and pressure. Don’t buy according to what people “expect,” because that is completely antithetical to the whole idea of what a gift is all about. Don’t judge by what other people buy or spend on their families.
• If you’ve stuck to your list and your budget, then you’re done. Don’t give in to all the sales advertised before Christmas. Sit back and enjoy the rest of the season with one big thing crossed off your list!
• Homemade gifts are within anyone’s reach. Being Martha Stewart is not a pre-requisite! It could be as simple as a jar of cocoa mix with a bow tied around it, or a pretty basket full of assorted tea bags and a jar of honey.

Frugal Gatherings

Here are a few ways to make your parties and gatherings more budget-friendly.

• Schedule at a time when a meal need not be served. Save by offering just drinks, or maybe a few light snacks.
• Choose the pot luck option when appropriate.
• Decorate in a frugal but festive way with fresh greens, red ribbon, holly sprigs and candles. You can always find dirt cheap decorations at thrift stores and yard sales.
• Shift the focus from food to fun. The highlight of the evening could be a rousing game of Pit or Wits & Wagers rather than a 5-star buffet. Food is fleeting but memories are forever!
• If serving alcohol, mix up punch. Offer also either red or white wine. If your friends are more into beer, invite them to bring their favorite 6-pack.
• Gather with friends or family and do a free or inexpensive craft project together.

Frugal Pleasures

Remember that Christmas is a season, not just one day. And these activities don’t cost a lot; most are free.

• Baking cookies
• Watching a Christmas movie
• Ice skating
• Driving around to look at lights and decorations (tune your radio to the Christmas stations or bring along your playlist)
• Playing board games and party games
• Reading books out loud
• Attending a live Nativity
• Attending a local choral performance
• Window shopping
• Making paper dolls
• Attending Christmas events at the local library, mall, etc.
• Creating a gingerbread house

Frugal Food

It is with much embarrassment that I have to admit food has been one of our biggest expenditures at Christmas time. ‘Tis the season to indulge in many seasonal and long-awaited treats! But here are some things we are going to try this year.

• Enjoy a simple Christmas dinner. Instead of making a traditional meal with pork or beef, we will have a brunch after gifts are opened. Breakfast is much cheaper than dinner!
• Do a pantry inventory during Advent and start planning some cheap meals like soups, casseroles and stir-fry’s. This will save money and cut down on grocery shopping during the busy season.
• Don’t make shopping trips when you’re hungry! Eat before leaving home.
• Use online ordering and pick-up to avoid impulse buys.

While you’re at it, this is a really good time to survey your financial outlet. Make a plan to get credit card debt down and resolve not to spend money you don’t have this Christmas.

That’s a Wrap

Celebrating a more frugal Christmas should not make you feel like an Ebenezer Scrooge. After all, it was Mother Theresa who said:

“My prayer for you is that when Christ comes to you in Christmas,
He may find in you a warm home, warm love like that of a heart full of love,
like that of a simple shepherd who was the first one chosen to see Christ.”

That kind of love is something money can’t buy!

 

 

 

 

 

This post is made possible by a partnership with Intellifluence.