Christmas Bills?!
[snowman.bmp] With the holidays right around the corner, we often hear the familiar refrains of our favorite Christmas carols and seasonal music. But too many of us tend to sing different words to the familiar tune of Jingle Bells:
Dashing to the mall, In a light blue mini-van, Stashing all our loot, Behind the garbage can. We think the kids need more, 'Tho their closest's full of junk, Then someone sends unneeded things We'll just stow into a trunk!Ohhhhhhhhhhh . . .
Christmas bills! Christmas bills! For Christmas we must pay! See all of our Christmas bills Still here on New Year's Day! . . . Hey??!!!
Christmas bills! Christmas bills! We can't pay today . . . We have so many Christmas bills, There's got to be a better way . . . !
Do the phrases "frugal living" and "holiday giving" seem to be at opposite ends of the spending spectrum? Is it possible to spend no more in December than during other months? Will your family still love you if they don't find "the latest and the greatest" under the tree? Our families deserve the best we can give. But if we're paying our Christmas debts for the next five years, complete with all the stresses that usually accompany outstanding bills, what good is it? No matter what our personal financial situation, we all could use a few simple money-saving ideas for the holidays.
- Try checking out books from the library on holiday customs and crafts from other lands. These books can provide a wealth of innovative ideas, often for minimal expense. Last year, in a book on Swedish customs, we found instructions for making an evergreen Advent wreath. Old newspapers soaked in water and wrapped around a wire coat hanger were decorated with pine boughs from a backyard tree. Four large nails stuck through the paper wreath held the candles, and we added finishing touches of small pine cones and red bows. The Advent wreath was beautiful, incredibly simple, and made from items found around the house. It also added a meaningful centerpiece to our holiday celebrations.
- Do you have solid-colored glass ornaments that you're tired of? Let your children decorate them with glitter glue, holiday stickers or craft paints. This tip serves a dual purpose: new decorations for very little money, and an inexpensive, fun holiday activity for the whole family!
- How about giving a "Dessert-of-the-Month" gift certificate to someone special on your gift list? Or maybe a "Cookie-of-the-Month," or "Dinner-of- the-Month?" Each month you would deliver a different home-baked goody to the recipient. This gift is especially enjoyed by people who might not eat a lot of home cooking, i.e., college students, singles, elderly shut-ins. These are also appreciated greatly by moms with multiple children (a treat they didn't have to prepare! They'll be so thankful for you and your thoughtfulness!)
The copyright of the article Christmas Bills?! in Debt-Free Family is owned by Deborah Taylor-Hough. Permission to republish Christmas Bills?! in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.Articles in this Topic Discussions in this Topic
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