Before we know it, Christmas will be upon us. For those of you hardcore frugal-ers, you might be already armed with coupons, a gift stash and a budget tailored down to the last penny for your holiday shopping. Some frugal folks don’t advocate for buying on a budget, they might not be buying at all! So, could you handle a gift-less Christmas?
To save money in the past, I have gifted homemade knitted wares, hand baked goodies and purchased pre-made edibles that are cost effective and cover more gift-giving ground. This year I wondered- what if we just don’t give gifts at all?
My problem is- I love giving gifts but as costs rise and travel eats up most of my budget, how can I afford to make the holiday special and give a meaningful gift to everyone I love without going into credit card debt?
Going gift-less doesn’t have to be horrible, but dedicate some brain space to whipping up creative ways on transforming your holiday season into “memories” not just “things.” The holiday season is notoriously an out of control spending orgy that leaves too many of us paying off credit cards well into springtime- don’t let that be you!
I’ve done some pondering and have come up with a way to make going gift-less suck-less!
For me, I typically don’t stress out about gifts or buy for anyone out of obligation. I like to put together thoughtful, personalized gifts that make the people in my life feel special and appreciated (since they are!) What do you do when you’re broke and surrounded by great people who all deserve a lil somethin’ somethin’ for being fabulous all year long? How far does the gift-giving circle extend? Coworkers? Neighbors? Roomies? The people who you dog sit for? It adds up quickly!
I’m on a tight budget this year and have toyed with the idea of going gift-less. Not giving and not receiving could really relieve tight finances for not only myself, but for those loved ones who are also tight on cash. By not worrying about gifts, wrapping, shipping and the expense, what will it *feel* like? As much as I’d love to say that getting back to the Christmas spirit and just “being together” would be enough, won’t it feel a little boring without the buildup of the gift exchange on Christmas day?
Also, how does one explain to relatives and friends that, “NO, really, I REALLY don’t find it necessary to exchange gifts this year” when you know not everyone is comfortable with a gift-less holiday season?
Get the word out EARLY. People shop for gifts super early, so send your Christmas cards out ASAP with a note about your plan, or simply shoot an email to those you normally buy gifts for around the holidays.
Don’t want to feel tacky? Say it like this: “This year we are focusing on the holiday spirit by giving back and instead of exchanging gifts we will be dedicating our time and energy to supporting local families in need. If you would like to contribute we ask that all “gifts” be in non-perishable food items or toys to be donated!”
My wife and I use our American Express points every year at Christmas to buy gift certificates to restaurants for our friends. It is an easy way to buy gifts for our friends.
Love it Shannon!! I have actually been considering adopting a military family instead of buying for hubbys family. My reasoning is more selfish though. I go out of my way as always and put lots of time and thought into gifts and don't even get a simple 'Thank You" because they don't even bother to see who got them the gift so I would much rather have my money, time, and effort go to someone whom is much more
appreciative.
I love this. 🙂 Last year I tried to go gift-less, I told my honey that instead of presents, I wanted to use the money to get stuff to donate. He said no. 🙁 He really likes to get presents; personally, I never really want anything for Christmas and end up using mine to give my honey more. Too bad I can't talk him into it.
Jen
I love this idea! We always adopt a family in need at Christmas and it's always amazing that the kids usually ask for things they need (jeans, sweater, etc), versus things they want like an iPod, etc.
These are great ideas! I wish that my family would agree to do something along these lines. I feel like sometimes we're scrambling for ideas just to have stuff under the tree. My in-laws go over the top for Christams and, sadly, there's no changing that. And although I know it won't work for Christmas…maybe we can do it for Hanukkah!
This year is definitely tight on our budget. I am thinking of just baking some cookies & knitting some gifts from the stash I've gathered over years [some of the yarn was a gift for a special occasion]. I seriously could car less about the gifts I get [would really be happy with nothing but quality time with my close family], but I love to give gifts to my loved ones. Not sure I could go totally gift-less.
hey there this is just the info I became trying to find, does one thoughts only talk about it along with my own visitors ? Raul Depratt – https://www.plurk.com/roccojuf
[…] out, I’m not the only one who opposes the holiday consumer orgy of gifting. I was just ahead of the […]
Fantastic web site. Plenty of useful info here. I’m sending it to several friends ans also sharing in delicious. And naturally, thanks to your effort!
You really make it seem really easy along with your presentation however I to find this topic to be actually something that I believe I would never understand. It kind of feels too complicated and very vast for me. I’m having a look ahead on your subsequent publish, I’ll try to get the dangle of it!
tom smith christmas crackers…
[…]Worried About Holiday Spending? A How-To Guide To Go Gift-Less This Christmas – Frugal Beautiful | Frugal Beautiful[…]…
[…] a gift-less Christmas. I wrote about this earlier, but it might be far less stressful to work on projects with family while you have time off […]
inexpensive christmas gift…
[…]Worried About Holiday Spending? A How-To Guide To Go Gift-Less This Christmas – Frugal Beautiful | Frugal Beautiful[…]…
I should have read this before spending so much. It's those damn kids… Just wanted to say hi. I am a newbie from the Yakezie Group. By the way very stylish website.
I intended to create you the tiny note to finally give many thanks again on the exceptional tricks you’ve featured at this time. It was pretty generous with you to provide freely all that a lot of folks might have supplied for an e-book to make some money for their own end, notably considering that you might well have tried it if you ever decided. Those tricks additionally worked to become great way to be sure that most people have the identical fervor the same as mine to grasp significantly more with regards to this condition. I think there are many more pleasant situations up front for folks who examine your blog post.
I have been browsing online more than three hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours Frugal BeautifulWorried About Holiday Spending? A How-To Guide To Go Gift-Less This Christmas | Frugal Beautiful. It’s pretty worth enough for me. In my opinion, if all webmasters and bloggers made good content as you did, the web will be a lot more useful than ever before.
Excellent goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to and you’re just extremely excellent. I really like what you have acquired here, really like what you are saying and the way in which you say it. You make it enjoyable and you still take care of to keep it sensible. I can’t wait to read much more from you. This is actually a great website.
Simply desire to say your article is as astounding. The clarity
to your put up is just spectacular and that i can assume you’re an expert in this subject. Fine along with your permission allow me to grab your RSS feed to keep up to date with coming near near post. Thanks a million and please continue the rewarding work.
{Hi there, just became alert to your blog through Google, and found that it’s truly informative. I am gonna watch out for brussels. I’ll be grateful if you continue this in future. Lots of people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!
I will immediately snatch your rss as I can’t to find your e-mail subscription hyperlink or e-newsletter service. Do you have any? Please allow me understand so that I could subscribe. Thanks.