This holiday period is looked forward to by more people than just Christians alone. As a Christian this holiday signifies for me God's greatest gift to me, his Son. To others it's about love, family, good will, happiness, rest, a good ending to a year before the hope and start of a fresh new year. Whatever you believe it is something loved and looked forward to.
Even when the recession is at it's worst Christmas is special. Because the true meaning of what Christmas is isn't about money, wealth and material things. In our family, which is huge, the only huge amount money is spent on someone is when it's their birthday. At Christmas we put a cap on spending because it's not funny trying to buy presents for 12 people! There are only 2 little ones so the cap is removed for them but even then we tend to buy lots of small cheap presents and 1 that they really want as it's mostly opening the presents that has them squealing in delight! But for the adults depending on the year we put a cap like £10. In my family this year it's £5. £5?!!???? I hear you cry! Yes, £5 :) You would be surprised. You have to really think about the person you are buying for and be innovative. One year I bought a whole lot of mugs and had them printed with slogans which were related to a like of my family member. One year I went to Primark (could be whatever low cost store where you are) and bought bed slippers for everyone. This year I have a great plan but I'll tell you later because my sisters could be reading this. ;) Cheap doesn't necessarily nasty. I try to personalise things I've bought as well. It's super! If you are craft even better! Make it yourself. Wrap your presents in newspaper and only buy the ribbon which is cheap from the thrift store. Christmas decorations can be home made as well. You really can do it if money is a problem.
Christmas meals are simple. You don't have to spend on decadent store bought foods. In my family we make simple foods. We all don't like turkey so we buy lots of chicken and have it a variety of ways and if we can stretch to it we buy duck. We buy sausages and bacon and make our own pig in the blankets. The kids love it. We buy lots of cheap veg and dress them up in a variety of dressings and also roast some. As long as there is lots of it no one need feel starved on Christmas Day. Look out of lots of deals for pudding or sweets in your supermarkets now before the 'rush' and deep freeze and store till Christmas. If you don't have a deep freeze borrow space in a friends or a neighbours. Get in plenty off fruit as well. Fruit and Christmas go together. I'm thinking oranges, clementines, sastumas etc. Nuts as well. Single Parent families in the same neighbourhood could share Christmas as well.
Be thrifty and start planning now if money is your issue. Make it special for you and your family.
http://www.allaboutyou.com/craft/make-christmas-decorations-for-your-home
Get ready bigYoutifuls!
RayRay xx
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