Okay, we all know the drill. The holidays come (for our family it's Christmas) and that can make a tight budget feel like skinny jeans from high school. In this economy, if you don't want to break the bank at Christmas, then we are going to have to get in the bargain trenches. As a single mom on one income, I've learned a few ideas along the way. I'm writing about this in September because this takes planning and if you start now, you'll be thrilled in December.
So here are a few of my top secret tips that will keep you in the green and make you feel like a Holiday Diva!
First the Free Presents
Okay, this one works great with kids three and under. I'm banking on an underdeveloped sense of long term memory here. Discreetly pull some of their current toys out of rotation and store in an out of the way place like in a bin in the attic. Of course you are going to buy some new toys for the holidays, but kids that age just like to open gifts. So along with the new toys, add the toys you already have and by the time your holiday morning rolls around your little one will be thrilled with all the presents under the tree! And if they have that vague sense that I've seen this item before, quickly distract with a cookie or tofurky (if you are a health nut).
If you just can't swallow the idea of wrapping toys your kids already own (I'm telling you this works! Arie and Sophia have ALWAYS BEEN THRILLED with opening presents that were toys that had gone missing)! Then go through your child's toys and set aside the ones that your kids no longer play with. Get together with some moms that have done the same and have a toy swap. It'll be free and you'll have toys on Christmas morning that they haven't seen before.
On to the birthdays.
Once your sweet child is around four, their longer term memory is working against you. So I turn to birthday gifts. If you have more than six gifts from their party, sometimes the exact count gets lost in the bustle of the celebration. I'm not above siphoning a few gifts that won't be missed for Christmas time presents. The items are new, they have not been played with and my kids are thrilled.
Now onto the purchased gifts. Here's where we go Goodwill hunting.
Why spend $20 or more on a stuffed animal when there are perfectly good ones for a dollar or two at Goodwill? Take a solo trip to your local Goodwill (though I tend to look for stores in upscale neighborhoods). I try to stop in every week or two and you will be surprised at the toys your kids will LOVE for a fraction of the retail cost. I take the stuffed animals and run them through the wash or even put them in my large freezer in the garage to kill off any germs.
You can also check out websites like freecycle.com and craigslist.com for toys or other items that people are just plain giving away. If you are looking for a specific item, you can post a classified ad on craigslist for free. People will then contact you through email and I've found some great gifts that way.
I also start hitting the sales early. And when you give yourself tons of time, you will actually enjoy your holiday season without feeling like your rushing yourself. I try to be wrapped and ready by the end of October.
Of course, part of the holiday season is teaching your children to give to others.
We usually pick a craft for the holidays and do multiples. Every year is a secret and this one is no different. So I can't share our holiday craft at the moment because then my family will know what they are getting! (I can give one tip, Give a Garden!Start harvesting any flower seed you have in the garden now and decorate some envelopes and seal the seeds inside).
Last year I came across a great sale at Michael's arts and crafts store. I found oil pastels for a $1.25 a pack and framed out canvases starting at $2.00 each. To parents I gave the pastels crayons and blank canvas and told them to draw something with their child and then the art is already framed and ready to hang on the wall when they're done. For grandma's and grandpa's, I had Arie draw out a picture of her choosing on the canvas with the pastels and gave the artwork as a gift. It was meaningful and cost effective, the best combination!
So don't let the holiday season sneak up on you! Bypass the mall rush and enjoy a relaxed pace with your kids over the holidays. That's where I find the magic happens, when I don't feel pressed by money or time, the memories are easier to make.
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