Recession Proof Your Christmas

With the holidays fast approaching, many of us have accepted the fact that all that gift-giving will leave us broke.  The entire county is suffering from hard economic times and no one is immune.  That doesn’t mean that the giving spirit of the holidays should be lost.  It’s time to recession-proof your Christmas!  Nothing is impossible with a little creativity and a lot of heart.  

Repeat after me, “I will not spend above my means.”  Say it again.  Now say it like you mean it!  Too many of us feel the pressure to put ourselves into debt to satisfy the expectations of luxurious, expensive gifts.  But do you really want to be paying for that high tech gadget at a high interest rate for the next few years?  To avoid the post-Christmas financial blues, do yourself a favor: Set a budget and stick to it! 

Here’s how:

• PAY WITH CASH.  Don’t fall victim to the tricks of the department stores that advertise “15% off when you use your store credit card.”  Next time, take a look at your bill and you’ll be shocked to see that you’re paying more than 15% in interest.  All of a sudden the sweet deal feels more like slimy scam.  The benefits of cash are endless – no high interest rates, no hidden charges, no late fees, no worries.

• HOME-MADE IS FROM THE HEART.  You don’t have to be particularly artistic or crafty to pull off a thoughtful and beautiful home-made gift.  The key is to recognize your talents and work with them. For example, if you are a champion baker, start early and bake your most famous desserts.  Freeze the goodies and when the holidays come, proudly slap a “Made with Love from (Your Name)’s Kitchen” sticker on the wrapping.  Bakeries have been doing it for years and last time I checked, they charge a fortune.

• HOST A RE-GIFTING PARTY.  Re-gifting has gotten a bad rap as cheap, tacky and tasteless.  Throw a party and have fun with whole ridiculous idea behind it.  Send out invites informing each guest to bring their most obscure, silly and otherwise use-less gift (from this year or years past) unwrapped.  Place all the gifts on the table.  Draw numbers to see who gets to choose first.  Let the laughs and the mayhem begin because in your stressed out state you may have forgotten… The holidays are supposed to be fun.