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Christmas in July - It's Never too Early to Start
JUNE 2018
I know it's only June, but before you blink it will be July, and then December, so it's not too early to start talking Christmas in July (or mid-June).
Christmas comes around every year. Without fail. It's always in December, always December 25; it's no surprise, it's an annual event. So I am always stunned by how many people get caught out, and end up rushing around and over-spending in December, especially when there is absolutely no need.
Now, before you get upset and email me and tell me I'm being unfair, too harsh, don't know what it's like to have to struggle from week to week, think about what I've written. Then keep reading, get just a little organised and understand that I just want you and your family to enjoy Christmas this year, and next year, and every year after.
If you want to enjoy a debt-free Christmas you need to start now. Being organised saves you time and money. By starting your Christmas 2018 preparations NOW you have the time to shop for the perfect gift at the perfect price, or even opt for a handmade Christmas.
1. Determine your total budget.
Maybe you have $500 to spend on Christmas gifts. Maybe you have $50. Decide which figure is most appropriate for you and write it at the top of a piece of paper.
2. Make a list of everyone you plan to give a gift to.
It's best to arrange these names in order of priority: family and close friends first, work associates, neighbours, teachers, servicemen last (or whatever is most appropriate for your circumstances) so the most important to you don't miss out. Jot down an approximate budget for each individual on the list. The total of the individual budgets should equal your overall Christmas gift budget.
3. Brainstorm gift ideas for each person.
Make a list of hobbies and interests for each person on your list. Decide whether the gifts will be bought or handmade. Calculate the approximate cost of each gift and add it to your list.
4.Trim the list.
More likely than not your proposed spending exceeds your budget. Get tough - you have a limited amount of cash to spend so you need to trim that budget. When you think you can't trim it anymore, take another look at it and trim it some more. You can trim by cutting down the number of people you give gifts too or by trimming the amount you plan to spend on each gift.
5. Stick to the list.
Once you’ve completed your list, exercise discipline by sticking to your plan. Just like keeping the grocery bill under control, this is the most important step in keeping your Christmas budget under control.
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6. Decide on gift giving terms.
In our family Christmas is a time for celebration, when we all get together. But Christmas presents are only for the children. We also have a $20 limit on the value of the gifts given. Another option could be the family gift, where you buy a gift for the whole family. This puts everyone on the same level and takes the pressure to buy gifts off those of us on a limited and tight budget, while keeping some of the Christmas surprise for the children. It also teaches little ones that you don't need to receive a gift to give a gift. Once you've worked out the gift giving terms with your friends and family, stick to them. It's not fair to anyone if you break them, it just causes resentment and embarrassment.
7. Make the terms fun.
Secret Santa - a fun and frugal way to give gifts without going broke.
Have a gift theme - Choose a theme and have everyone find and give theme appropriate gifts. It could be movies, travel, cooking, the 1970's, even a colour.
Pull a name out of a hat - This is a fun way to join in the exchange of gifts without having to spend a lot of money. All names go into a hat and you take turns choosing one. You can set a dollar value on the gifts, or not, as you see fit. It takes the shopping pressure off, as you only have to buy one gift.
8. A Handmade Christmas
If you like the idea of giving handmade gifts, you need to start making them now. You also need to think about the cost. Handmade is not necessarily cheap, often it can mean very expensive.
Some handmade gifts that don't cost a fortune but have that WOW factor are:
Once you've decided what you are going to make put together a list of the materials or ingredients you need and how long it will take you to make each item. Then you can timetable your crafting or cooking so you don't have a horrible Christmas Eve rush.
For most people Christmas means frantic shopping during the December heat, battling the crowds and panicking over money and forthcoming bills. It doesn't have to be that way.
Plan now for Christmas and when December arrives, you can sit back and enjoy the festivities.
Christmas comes around every year. Without fail. It's always in December, always December 25; it's no surprise, it's an annual event. So I am always stunned by how many people get caught out, and end up rushing around and over-spending in December, especially when there is absolutely no need.
Now, before you get upset and email me and tell me I'm being unfair, too harsh, don't know what it's like to have to struggle from week to week, think about what I've written. Then keep reading, get just a little organised and understand that I just want you and your family to enjoy Christmas this year, and next year, and every year after.
If you want to enjoy a debt-free Christmas you need to start now. Being organised saves you time and money. By starting your Christmas 2018 preparations NOW you have the time to shop for the perfect gift at the perfect price, or even opt for a handmade Christmas.
1. Determine your total budget.
Maybe you have $500 to spend on Christmas gifts. Maybe you have $50. Decide which figure is most appropriate for you and write it at the top of a piece of paper.
2. Make a list of everyone you plan to give a gift to.
It's best to arrange these names in order of priority: family and close friends first, work associates, neighbours, teachers, servicemen last (or whatever is most appropriate for your circumstances) so the most important to you don't miss out. Jot down an approximate budget for each individual on the list. The total of the individual budgets should equal your overall Christmas gift budget.
3. Brainstorm gift ideas for each person.
Make a list of hobbies and interests for each person on your list. Decide whether the gifts will be bought or handmade. Calculate the approximate cost of each gift and add it to your list.
4.Trim the list.
More likely than not your proposed spending exceeds your budget. Get tough - you have a limited amount of cash to spend so you need to trim that budget. When you think you can't trim it anymore, take another look at it and trim it some more. You can trim by cutting down the number of people you give gifts too or by trimming the amount you plan to spend on each gift.
5. Stick to the list.
Once you’ve completed your list, exercise discipline by sticking to your plan. Just like keeping the grocery bill under control, this is the most important step in keeping your Christmas budget under control.
.
6. Decide on gift giving terms.
In our family Christmas is a time for celebration, when we all get together. But Christmas presents are only for the children. We also have a $20 limit on the value of the gifts given. Another option could be the family gift, where you buy a gift for the whole family. This puts everyone on the same level and takes the pressure to buy gifts off those of us on a limited and tight budget, while keeping some of the Christmas surprise for the children. It also teaches little ones that you don't need to receive a gift to give a gift. Once you've worked out the gift giving terms with your friends and family, stick to them. It's not fair to anyone if you break them, it just causes resentment and embarrassment.
7. Make the terms fun.
Secret Santa - a fun and frugal way to give gifts without going broke.
Have a gift theme - Choose a theme and have everyone find and give theme appropriate gifts. It could be movies, travel, cooking, the 1970's, even a colour.
Pull a name out of a hat - This is a fun way to join in the exchange of gifts without having to spend a lot of money. All names go into a hat and you take turns choosing one. You can set a dollar value on the gifts, or not, as you see fit. It takes the shopping pressure off, as you only have to buy one gift.
8. A Handmade Christmas
If you like the idea of giving handmade gifts, you need to start making them now. You also need to think about the cost. Handmade is not necessarily cheap, often it can mean very expensive.
Some handmade gifts that don't cost a fortune but have that WOW factor are:
- Food hampers. Tailor them to the recipients likes i.e. if they love barbecuing make up a hamper of different rubs (there are thousands of recipes online). Pack them in small glass jars, label and wrap.
- Bath hampers. Make up bath salts and bath bombs, knit a bath mitt and pack it all up in cellophane.
- Homemade sauces, vinegars and pickles.
- Hand knitted dishcloths with a trimmed tea towel.
- Handmade doll clothes - knit or sew clothes for a much loved dolly using scraps of yarn and fabric or recycle old clothes. I made my niece an outfit for her baby doll from her favourite outgrown t-shirt. She recognised the fabric straight away and just loves her baby's clothes.
- Lavendar sachets and pillows - use rice and lavender to make small sachets for drawers. Or use a silky fabric to make a lavender eye pillow.
Once you've decided what you are going to make put together a list of the materials or ingredients you need and how long it will take you to make each item. Then you can timetable your crafting or cooking so you don't have a horrible Christmas Eve rush.
For most people Christmas means frantic shopping during the December heat, battling the crowds and panicking over money and forthcoming bills. It doesn't have to be that way.
Plan now for Christmas and when December arrives, you can sit back and enjoy the festivities.