It’s almost time to enjoy Christmas in all its festive glory. And, mums know all too well that Christmas expenses for so-called ‘giving gestures’ or activities can surely put tremendous pressure on the December budget. It is, therefore, time to rather go back to simplicity and frugality when it comes to silly season activities and gifts.
Carla Oberholzer, debt adviser at DebtSafe, says: “It is important to continually keep in mind that Christmas is actually a time of ‘peaceful giving’ while spending quality time with family and friends. There is no need to let that blood pressure and financial situation rise. This will only make mums anxious and escalate their money situation to a dreadful debt pile.”
Thrifty activities, games and gift ideas can encourage mums to rather stay away from expensive last-minute buys this festive season and can get some doesn’t-cost-an-arm-and-a-leg creativity going in the process.
When it comes to frugal presents and activities – ideas are endless. Mums should consider activities they know the gang will enjoy, and it is always advisable that mums should work with what they have available.
They can consider partnering with friends or family members and have a crafts evening sometime during December. Each adult or child can bring the arts and craft items they have and make personalised gifts like bath bombs, coasters, jewellery or cookie ingredient jars.
Or, what about getting family members’ shoe sizes and buy each person an affordable pair of slippers? Mums (together with their friends/family members) can share costs and make treat-filled slippers that won’t break the bank.
Other gift ideas and activities to consider are things like: buying affordable tea towels and personalising it, putting together a Christmas Survival DIY kit (making play dough and adding a few affordable cookie cutters).
One last thing regarding gifts – mums can also consider using brown paper as wrapping paper. It is just an environmentally friendly way to help Mother Nature and to also keep the budget intact.
When it comes to games, mums can encourage games/sports that the family loves.
What about Family Game Night – where each household brings the boardgames they really enjoy? There is no need to go and buy an expensive game; there must be quite the collection if everybody brings two or three along.
Other outdoor games to consider (if the weather is sunny of course) include Touch Rugby, Hide-and-Seek (gift hunting perhaps) and Lawn Bowls – ideal for young and old.
Christmas is around the corner and mums do not have to go to extreme financial strains to prepare gifts or keep family and friends entertained this festive season. Creativity and frugality are the key elements to a special, affordable Christmastime this year.
Visit www.debtsafe.co.za for more info.