Christmas and birthdays always present a bit of a challenge when you’re living on a budget, but it’s a challenge that I kind of enjoy. Each year our family has a small set amount to spend per person, and I like to see how far I can stretch my money. I keep an eye on sales and coupons to stretch my dollar to the max, so I can get a few nice things for my husband and son. Our Christmas budget is very small by some standards, but we get through the holidays without a huge financial burden; that peace of mind is a gift in itself.
So, Christmas isn’t that big in our house. Maybe someday when we have more money at our disposal we will be able to enjoy nicer gifts, but for now I like to remember that there are some people who have even less than we do. Every year I participate in the giving tree at church, and it is fun applying the same money-stretching principles that I use at home to try to provide a nice Christmas for someone else, even when I don’t have an awful lot myself.
I usually try to pick a little girl about the same age as my son. Although I love my son to pieces and couldn’t imagine life without him, I had hoped for a girl…so I “adopt” one every Christmas. It’s fun shopping for dollies and pink and bows instead of cars and dinosaurs and blue once in a while!
This year I was able to get some great bargains to put together a nice little package for a two-year-old little girl:
Combining a sale with a coupon code, I purchased a cozy hooded fleece tunic, a pair of ruched leggings and a pretty picot trimmed turtleneck from The Children’s Place for about $12.00!
But everyone knows that “just” getting clothes is boring (unless maybe you’re in high school), so I wanted to find a toy as well. I happened upon this adorable little Fisher-Price doll for only $10.00 at Walmart. Isn’t she pretty? She has been standing on our dining room table for a few days, and I will be sad to see her go.
I will probably add a couple other odds and ends to the package, like some socks and hair bows. For about $30 I will have a nice little gift package of quality items. It isn’t much, but hopefully it will brighten up Christmas for this little girl and her parents who don’t have the means to play Santa.
What are some frugal ways that you give back to charity?
I shop sort of year-round for the Christmas Project at St. Paul’s. I keep a list of what I’ve amassed through the year so when it’s time to sign up I know what we’ve already got.
Like you, we’ve got a little tighter budget for gifts than some. This is really the first year Andrew has picked upon the Santa Claus thing, which has added a slightly new challenge, but it’s been fun. 🙂
Wow, I am amazed at how much you were able to get for $30! Some little girl is going to be thrilled. It’s a nice perk that you get to shop for stuff in pink for fun.
I liked an idea for anonymous giving I saw at Simple Mom. Set aside a certain amount each year and just give it away, secretly: like pay for the people behind you at the toll booth, or the coffee drive-through, or leave a huge tip and leave quickly.
It sounds like a lot of fun — and a great way to teach kids about the joy of giving (and not always when you get the thanks and praise for doing it).