How to stretch a thin holiday budget
A thin holiday budget is an opportunity to exercise one's creativity. The following money-saving tips and ideas are a good starting point for finding ways to enjoy the holidays when the budget is far from limitless.
Holiday Decorating
Before Thanksgiving arrives, stores, television advertisements and magazines begin promoting holiday decor. Holiday decorations are one area where thin budget strategies come into play. Old decorations can easily and inexpensively be revived with spray paint, glitter, ribbons and numerous other inexpensive craft accessories. There's a wealth of DIY holiday decoration ideas available online, in print magazines and in home improvement and craft supply stores.
The current trend in home decorating revolves around simplistic and minimalistic decor. A minimal amount of holiday decor is actually very trendy and also very budget-friendly. Some free items that can be transformed into holiday decorations may be waiting right outside the door. Evergreen branches, berries and pinecones are just a few items that can become very attractive holiday decorations. Edible decor such as candy, cookies, fruits and nuts can serve a dual purpose. Anyone stretching a budget appreciates the value of multi-purpose items.
Family Traditions
For many families, one of the best features of the holiday season involves family traditions. If a big family gathering happens to be one of those traditions, the expense can be burdensome if one or two people are left responsible for the meal. The best money-saving tip for this tradition is to make the event a potluck family meal so that hosting it is not a financial struggle for anyone.
Entertaining friends during the holidays can quickly deplete a budget. Once again, potluck events are a budget-friendly option. Another possibility is to make the event a snack only party rather than serving a large meal. Reducing the number of parties is definitely the most frugal option.
An excellent way to politely decline an invitation to a holiday event that your budget can't handle is to have another engagement that conflicts with that time. That other engagement can be a commitment to assist with some type of holiday charity event where the focus is on helping those whose budget is worse than thin. This could become a new tradition that would provide rewards beyond what a traditional holiday party could offer.
There are various other new traditions that could be started when the holiday budget is thin. These traditions could revolve around simple things such as a night at home with the family watching holiday movies and enjoying popcorn and hot cocoa. Enjoying a romantic dinner at home eliminates travel expenses and wardrobe costs that attending a party would require. A quiet holiday tradition can become one of the most anticipated and treasured parts of future holidays.
Gifts
Buying gifts is a part of the holidays that can quickly spiral out of control. Shopping with a small budget can be challenging. When the budget is thin, there's the temptation to use credit cards to purchase gifts. This is not a good idea. Doing so will only make the upcoming months more financially difficult. The ideal money-saving tip for buying gifts on a thin budget is to purchase only what you can pay for with cash.
Reducing the number of people on the gift list is a tip that may be hard to accept, but one that can relieve a lot of financial pressure and emotional stress. Chances are, family and friends may also be trying to make it through the holidays on a tight budget. They might be relieved to be a part of a mutual gift list reduction. Drawing names and setting comfortable price limits is an option for large families or for groups of friends who wish to exchange gifts.
Finding inexpensive ways to enjoy the holidays can lead to some new traditions that will continue even when the budget improves. Quality time with family and friends, quiet moments shared with someone special and an appreciation for the simple things in life can give the holiday season a whole new meaning.
