How to Have Christmas on the Cheap

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Budgeting for Christmas is something most people don’t think about until the holiday comes around. For those on shoe-string budgets, this can be devastating to a checking or savings account, especially if you don’t want to come across as cheap. Here are some ideas for having Christmas on the cheap without actually being cheap (if thoughts count most, you’re practically spending tons).

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Imagination
Leftover Christmas decorations
A (very) small budget

Christmas on the Cheap

Step1

Always save gift bags. Just snip off the tag. They’re great for gifts or (if small and made from thin paper) as candle holders to line a walkway. If made of heavy paper, you can cut them into cheap, festive place mats for Christmas dinner.

Step2

Make homemade ornaments to decorate you Christmas tree. Strings of popcorn, paper angels made from tracing your child’s hands and hanging candy canes from branches are cheap (and edible) ways to liven up your tree. Trimming a “homemade tree” is a great way to spend quality time with your family during the holiday season.

Step3

Suggest exchanging Christmas cards with friends instead of gifts. It’s also okay to ask your family if they wouldn’t mind drawing names from a hat so that each person gets one gift for the name drawn, or if there are a lot of children in the family, suggest reserving gifts for the children.

Step4

It’s easier to give gifts that you know the recipient will use. Consider making a person’s favorite dish and having them over for dinner. It will usually be cheaper and you get the added bonus of spending time with the one you love.

Step5

Start saving for next year. Just like budgeting for trips, put aside a little money each month toward your “Christmas fund.” That way come next season, there will be no surprises.