Christmas tips for the frugal

HERE is a list of handy tips on saving money, so that one can spend less and enjoy the true meaning of Christmas.

Christmas Cards

If it’s not in your budget to send Christmas cards this year to friends and family, it’s understandable. If you feel the urge to send cards, then scale down and send to the people you would like to get in touch with the most.

• Send sms’s, emails, postcards or letters, instead of Christmas cards.
• Christmas cards always go on sale in December and the longer you wait the better.
• For friends and family that live out of the province or country, make a phone call.

Wrapping Paper

• Use pretty magazine pages to wrap small gifts.
• The comic section of your newspaper also makes nice wrapping paper.
• Use your children’s artwork, or create your own on plain paper.
• Save used wrapping paper all through the year, just roll them back onto the paper tube and place a small piece of scotch tape on the edge to hold in place.
• No need to buy expensive ribbons and bows to decorate your packages, if you hunt around you can find cheaper ones that will be just as pretty.
• Make your own gift tags by cutting a small piece of matching wrapping paper and folding it in half.
• With a few basic sewing skills you can use scrap material to wrap gifts.
• Use inexpensive gift wrap tissue paper that you’ve saved from other gifts throughout the year.

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Decorations:

• Do not decorate. It’s always an option. Or, decorate with nature.
• Do not decorate with expensive things.
• The shops have incredible sales every year for decorations, purchase items close to the holiday, or better yet, after the holiday.
• Save your children’s holiday crafts and artwork from school each year.
• Have a warm Christmas the old-fashioned way. Pop some popcorn and string it up all over the house.
• Add some cranberries to your popcorn string for a touch of colour.
• Decorate your house by bringing the outside in; using pinecones. Sprinkle with a few drops of pine scented oil if you have it on hand.
• Invest in a good quality artificial tree after Christmas; when they go on CLEARANCE SALE. Buy good quality (the best you can afford) because they will last many more years than the cheaper trees.
• Don’t try to get all your tree ornaments in one year (this is especially important for young families just starting out on their own). It took your parents and grandparents many years to collect the ornaments they have and each one is more special because of it.

Votive Candle Holders #Christmasdecor #howtodecorate #handpainted #forsale https://t.co/oKjP6DHKJJ pic.twitter.com/DDmAcDlzvj

— RedRiverValley (@RedRiverValley2) December 17, 2015

Food

• Many grocery stores are offering great deals during the holidays, some are even giving away food or cash. Read the paper every week for your local deals, or if you don’t subscribe to the newspaper, pick up the free ad flyers at the store and take it home so you’ll have time to look it over really good before shopping.
• Compare prices.
• Store brands are great when making holiday casseroles and side dishes. No one will even notice the difference.
• Stock up while everything’s on sale, just an extra can or box here and there. Not a storage closet full.

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Entertainment

• It’s wonderful to take your family to the movie theatre during Christmas break, but this could also be a good time to catch up on the movies that have recently been released on DVD.
• Another great and frugal way to entertain the family during the holidays is to take a drive around your town, or another town nearby, to view their Christmas lights.
• Get out the board games, the kids will love spending time with you. If you don’t have many to choose from, maybe you can borrow a new game from a friend or neighbour. You never know, they might have a closet full of games and would be delighted to share them with you.
• Play card games. When the kids are young you can start with Go Fish.
• Sing. Many churches and community groups have carolling get-togethers in December.
• Have a family gathering to decorate the tree, wrap gifts, and bake cookies.
• Check out a Christmas book from the library and read it together as a family. Or, decide on a story and have everyone contribute a chapter to create a new Christmas book… maybe even one about your own family. Make a copy for each family member.Wishing you and your family a very BLESSED Christmas!