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Christmas is just around the corner and while this can be a joyous occasion, for some it may cause anxiety. In a recession, money is tight and can’t be stretched far enough to cover all things Christmas! Or can it? Well, the answer is yes -- there are ways to stretch a dollar to its fullest capacity if you know how to have a recession proof Christmas.
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Tips
- Tips: Talk with friends, co-workers or family members about having grab-bags this year if money is tight.
- Put a gift card to a video store in a festive gift bag, add a package of microwaveable popcorn and a chocolate bar for an inexpensive but much appreciated teacher’s gift.
- If you're traveling for the holidays, check out sites like Orbitz or Expedia early for great deals.
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Introduction
The best way to manage a tight budget during the holiday season is to make a plan early in the season and stick to it. Even in a recession, there are ways to plan holiday meals, buy gifts for loved ones and decorate a home so it’s festive for the holidays. But if you start early enough in the year, you can purchase gifts on sale, bake and freeze items to give as gifts or to include in your holiday feast, and make lovely decorations that won’t cost an arm and a leg. -
Featured
Christmas does not have to drain a family financially. There are lots of ways to enjoy the season without feeling a severe budget crunch. Start planning for the season early so you can find great deals, make gifts yourself and decorate your home beautifully without spending a fortune. For some great holiday money-saving tips - check out this short video.
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Step 1: Budget-Friendly Holiday Gifts
Make a list of people you want (or need) to buy gifts for this holiday season starting with family. Make a second column with gift ideas. After you make your list, think about ways you can buy the gifts at a reduced price. Check store circulars in the Sunday paper to see what’s on sale so you can get the best price. Check out eBay and Overstock.com for specific gift items. You might be amazed at how much money you’ll save. You don’t always have to buy brand new either. Book sales are notorious for having books that have never been opened. Check out yard sales and antique shops for thrifty gift ideas. -
Step 2: Plan Your Christmas Feast
If you normally have a big Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, you may want to pare it down if money is tight this year. Think about having a pot-luck dinner where all the guests bring something. Or have the party in the evening with [[hors d’oeuvres]] and wine. The wine doesn’t have to be a money drain either -- Trader Joe's carries inexpensive wines, as does Costco, Sam's Club and BJs. Christmas brunches can be just as much fun as big dinners too! -
Step 3: Decorating on a Dime
Look at your current Christmas decorations with a discerning eye and see if you can use what you have before you go out and purchase new ones. Can you turn dried flowers into a holiday wreath? Can you enlist your kids to help make tree ornaments? Can you touch up that old nativity scene with a fresh coat of paint? If so, you might be able to get a whole new look out of things that you already have in your attic.If you do have to replace some worn out decorations, you don’t have to spend a fortune. Pick up some baskets for a buck or two at a craft store and spray paint them red or gold (or both!). Fill them with artificial evergreens or even ones that fell off the tree when you brought it in from outside. Put additional evergreen around mantles and set a few Christmas ornaments for a festive look to a living room or family room.
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