Christmas on the Cheap
Christmas is now just a few days away, and many of us who celebrate it are finding ourselves strapped for cash. Perhaps you have overspent lavishly on yourself and have little money left to buy gifts for family and friends.
Don't fret! You don't have to take back your new faux fur jacket or that adorable silk chiffon dress. In fact, you can even make a profit on holiday giving and entertaining with these few simple tips:
- Eliminate
gratuitous giving by giving gifts and sending
Christmas cards only to people who give or send
to you.
- Don't
waste your money on expensive wrapping paper and
tags. Use grocery bags for wrapping, decorated
with pictures drawn by your children.
Cut out tags from last year's Christmas cards. Bring home a few rolls of tape from the office, or secure presents with rustic twine or festive duct tape. Make clever bows with pieces of yarn unraveled from stray mittens.
- Do
gift recycling, giving gifts you didn't care for
to others. If caught in the act, say something like,
"I love that potato dicer you gave me so much, I
got you
the same thing!"
- As
you receive gifts, open them immediately. If they're
not something you like, reseal and give away, or take
back to the store for credit or cash.
- Encourage
anonymous gift exchanges at the office, so you
can put in any old chintzy thing without anyone knowing.
Or offer to go around and collect cash
for a present for your boss. That way, you can contribute
nothing-and even take a little out!
- Do
you have some earrings you're tired of or never
liked in the first place? Just put them in a box and
wrap with care. Be sure to take off any ear goo
first.
- Suppose
you have some excellent wine in the refrigerator,
of which you've drunk half the bottle. Wouldn't it be
simply terrific of you to share it with someone?
Wrap in tissue paper, top with a festive ribbon, and
present with a flourish.
- Here's
a lovely craft project for your kids: Have them take
a coffee can or oatmeal container, glue
construction paper to it, and decorate with buttons
and rickrack. Cut a slot in the lid and send them around
the neighborhood to collect for a charity. Then keep
the money for yourself.
- Your
friends and family will appreciate inexpensive, practical
gifts that show an awareness of their preferences and
needs. Perhaps a bag of rags and cleaning
supplies for that neighbor whose house is always untidy.
How about a pair of tweezers for your older sister with
the unfortunate chin hair problem?
And, of course, carpet remnants make such a delightful
gift!
- Are
there children on your list? Take that old nightgown
you were going to donate to charity. Cut out cat- or
bear-shaped pieces. Fill with eco-friendly dryer
lint; then sew. A cuddly stuffed animal every child will
love!
- Go through donation bins for toys at stores and books at a library. Ignore the stares of passersby or, if you cannot, say, "I simply can't believe I put Junior's favorite toy (or book) in here by mistake!"
