It’s almost time to enjoy Christmas in all its festive glory, but this year consider these Tips for a Fantastic Frugal Christmas.
Moms know all too well that Christmas expenses for giving gestures or activities can put tremendous pressure on the December budget. So it’s time to go back to simplicity and frugality when it comes to silly season activities and gifts. And have more fun!
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 will encourage moms to 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. Moms should consider activities they know the gang will enjoy, and it is always advisable that moms should work with what they have available.
Consider partnering with friends or family members and have a crafts evening sometime during December or during pre-Christmas celebrations (keeping the kids busy as well). Each adult or child can bring the arts and craft items they have and make personalised gifts like;
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 Tips for a Fantastic Frugal Christmas 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), and what using available ingredients and canisters to create Ice Cream Sundae in a box? Yum.
One last thing regarding gifts – moms 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.
So Christmas is around the corner and you have your Tips for a Fantastic Frugal Christmas to help you enjoy the occasion. Avoid going to extreme financial strains to buy gifts this festive season. Creativity and frugality are the key elements to a special, affordable Christmas time this year.
*Mum’s Mail (November/December) Exclusive Article