We at Safe Harbor IM know that this year has been tough for everyone, and the holidays are no exception. One of the hardships many folks have had to endure this year have been financial hardships. It’s common to spend more money this time of year around the holidays, but this year, many people may not have the means to do that. Here are some ideas for celebrating the holidays on a budget.  

Use What You Have

It can be tempting to buy new holiday sweaters, decorations, or new Christmas pajamas this year. These holiday displays in stores are in all of our faces, and the decorations and outfits are all festive, who wouldn’t want to buy them? But if you’re on a budget this year, we at Safe Harbor encourage you to use decorations and other festive things from years past. How many holiday sweaters and things do you have stuffed away in your attic or basement? Probably plenty. If you’re on a budget this year, stick to buying only the things you need, not things you already have. 

Make a Gift List

It can be tempting to go into stores to shop for gifts for your loved ones and see lots of things you want to buy and choose to purchase them all. However, this kind of shopping and spending can add up. Instead, make a list of things you want to get for your family and friends before you go shopping (whether you choose to shop in stores or online) and stick to the list. This year, a lot of stores are offering curbside pickup due to COVID-19. This option is safer for you because you don’t need to go into a store, but it’s also better for your wallet, too. Curbside pickup rules out the possibility of you placing things in your shopping car you don’t need as you walk through the store.

Cash Your Rewards In

Many people have rewards cards, coupons, points, and gift cards sitting around in their wallets or their accounts for stores they shop in frequently. All of these systems can save us money as we shop for gifts this holiday season! If you’re worried that you’re going to spend too much money, try purchasing gifts from stores where you know you’ll get a discount of some sort. It might make sense to take stock of which stores you can get discounts in before you make your gift list out so that you can make the smartest financial choices this holiday season, and it might even help you decide which gifts to buy for your loved ones this season.

Shop Around

If you have a certain gift in mind for that special someone, see if you can find the same product for a lower price at a different store. Comparing prices online, especially when it comes to big purchases such as electronics, is a great way to make sure you don’t spend more money than you have to. Don’t forget to consider shipping, though, if you order a gift online! 

Choose Handmade Gifts

One cheap and fun way to celebrate the holidays this year is to make your gifts, rather than buy them. Knitting, creating scrapbooks, and paintings are wonderful gifts. Homemade gifts are not only cheap gifts, but they’re thoughtful gifts to give because having someone in mind while creating a gift makes the gift much more personal. Check out this list for more ideas!

Set a Budget

One of the most important things to consider when celebrating the holidays on a budget is setting a budget. Figuring out how much money you can afford to spend this season is the first step of this process, then figuring out how much you can spend per gift, or per person is the next step. Taking into account shipping costs is important too, so make sure to order gifts altogether to minimize shipping costs if possible. Check out this article for more information about setting a budget. 

Choose Cheap Holiday Activities

Many of our traditions around the holidays can be pricey. Decorating your home with lots of lights might look fabulous, but might rack up your energy bill too. Buying expensive holiday drinks might be fun and great content for your social media, but the prices might add up. Don’t forget to take into account the activities you choose to do this holiday season- some of which might be pretty expensive. Not to worry, though, there are many affordable or even free options for activities. Some options might include making hot cocoa at home and watching a favorite holiday movie, or volunteering your time at a shelter or food bank. Check out this article about free ways to show your appreciation for your loved ones.

Conclusion 

This year has put all of us through many hardships, and the holidays don’t change that. While having a holiday season where money is tight might seem bleak, it’s important to remember that it’s still possible to have wonderful holidays even on a budget. It just takes some planning. Here’s a Safe Harbor course regarding financial literacy that might help you learn more about how to manage your money. 

Written by Jackie Ebel, blogger at Safe Harbor International Ministries. For more articles, visit our blog page at https://safeharborim.com/articles/.