On this episode of How To Money, Matt and Joel offer us lots of ideas to enjoy the holidays without spending a lot of money. With the pandemic forcing families and friends to stay apart for the holiday, many of us might be feeling extra pressure to give more or better gifts than in past years to make up for the lack of our physical presence. Many people are still filing unemployment claims and simply don’t have the money they usually have around the holiday season to pamper their loved ones. And holiday parties and events are inadvisable, too. Fortunately, there are tons of ways to make the season merry and bright without going broke in the process.
First, they get into gifts. A study last year found that Americans rack up an average of $1,325 in debt over the holiday season buying presents, but if we get creative, we can give a really meaningful gift without opening another credit card to do it. Giving our time is one of the best gifts we can give, so think about spending the day with a sibling doing something they love. If you’re grown and out of your parents' house, but have left a lot of stuff behind, offer your time and energy to go through it all and get it out of their space – especially if they’re spending money to store it. Fixing something that’s driving your spouse crazy is a nice way to show that you’re paying attention. It’s classic for kids to create coupons or vouchers to do an annoying chore, but think about making it an ongoing gift – Matt, for example, is thinking of ways his three daughters could take over the laundry for their mom, which would be “the gift of the decade,” he laughs.
Getting creative around celebrating in other ways can help inject some Christmas spirit into the season. There might not be an office holiday party to attend, but you can throw one on your own with free YouTube karaoke, a family talent show, or a socially-distanced gathering around a fire pit in your backyard. Break out board games or card games and enjoy some hot cocoa while you create some lasting memories with your family. Find the neighborhoods in your area that get really into decorations and drive around marveling at their light displays. And a Christmas movie night is always a hit. With just a little ingenuity and intentionality, we can make our holidays incredibly meaningful, and we don’t have to empty our bank accounts to do it. Get all this great information and more about celebrating the season on this episode of How To Money.
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