Ok I don’t want to come off sounding like the grinch here. I like Christmas, not my favorite time of year but I like it. I enjoy spending time with the family and seeing the joy and happiness in my kids eyes on Christmas morning. BUT for those that are budget minded and trying to save or just be frugal for what ever reason it can be a tough time for you.
Oh the Pretty Lights
I love taking my daughter out looking at Christmas lights and see them sparkle in her eyes. It dosen’t stop there though, from thanks giving on its “when are we putting up our lights”. Even more pressure when your whole block is decorating the day after Thanksgiving. If you are one with a competitive streak you of course are buying more lights and that jumbo inflatable santa for your lawn. Of course you just got your utility bill down to a manageable level and now your house is a beacon for all alien aircraft in the area lighting up the sky every night till at least Jan.
On the somewhat positive side, the big bulbs that make the cool popping sound when you break them are gone. Most lights now are better on the energy then those old classics and you can even get LED lights with even a better energy draw to keep the costs down a bit. that inflatable snowman though will still be and energy hug. so we’ll keep it to just a small heard of reindeer and one santa.
The Fresh Smell of Pine Tree
Yes the age old tradition of bringing in a dead tree in to the house for Christmas. I do this for the wife and daughter and I hope when the daughter moves out we can do away with this one but I don’t see that happening. Its at least 10 years away and I have a feeling we will have grandkids from the other two by then. Its just the idea of Spending $60+ on a tee for 2 weeks and then throwing it out that gets me, doesn’t that seem like a waste of money to you? I know we could go the fake tree route but the kid in me says if we are dong a tree it will be real and smelly (I do like the smell of the Christmas tree).
Lets not Forget the Gifts
The one time of the year we all scramble to buy that perfect gift for everyone. There is something about the season that drives us to spend more than any other time even though we know we can’t afford it. You could be very disciplined all year but then Christmas comes around and provides us with the excuse to spend more. Oh since we saved all year we have so much more we can put on the credit cards! Like So Over Debt I think the gift thing is great for the kids but for the adults not so sure. Don’t get me wrong I like getting gifts but for the most part when I need something I go get it, leaving very little room for others to get me something.
It seems to be great for the economy, providing lots of temp jobs and an influx of cash. If we could spread that out for the year maybe we wouldn’t be in such bad shape. At least spread the joy and caring that we suddenly get around this time to year long we would defiantly be a lot better off
In the End…
…I do put up the lights, went out and got that tree and will be braving the stores this week to get that perfect gift (just with a little thought to budgets in the back of my mind). This year will be the first I don’t use a credit card myself so its a step in the right direction. As I said it makes my daughter happy and to me that is what Christmas is for and I will do what I can to make it a great memory for her every year.
This year will be a little different as well as my step sisters will be coming over. I have not seen any of them for years (decades?) and 2 of them I really haven’t met. I guess in the end that is what this time is for really, spending it with family…
Hope everyone has a joyous holiday however you celebrate!
I guess one of the (business) reasons for setting Thanksgiving at the end of November is to start the holiday season in good time and continue it right through to the New Year! So clever. Since it was originally based on a festival meant to give thanks for a successful harvest, it should really be in September or something (well unless you are an antipodean I suppose).
But see the positive side – getting your tree up in early December (yes they are dear here too – we spent £40 on a really nice one) means that you have all December and early January to enjoy it, have the kids switch the lights on, look underneath the tree to see if anything is there.
It’s like doing the lottery. You know you won’t win but if you buy the ticket as early as possible, you have longer to anticipate winning….
But Santa on the lawn is a bit over the top for us Brits I’m afraid. Some do but generally where Santa is bigger than the house because the house is so tiny!
‘Nuff said – have a good Xmas!
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