Save Money & Stress Less During the Holidays

Holidays, Money & Expectations

The holidays are fast approaching and this brings a mixture of happy feelings and stress to many people, especially this year. Why more stress this holiday season? Between COVID-19, inflating prices, and the usual mix of holiday expectations this could be a very stressful holiday season. Since we are a family owned business and family and holidays are close to our hearts, we want to give you some great ideas on how to spend less, enjoy more, and have less stress this holiday season!

Creative ideas for Holiday Gatherings

We are fast approaching Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s celebrations and each of these holidays usually has people gathering together, eating, and drinking. The price tag for these gatherings plus the time and effort that is involved can be huge-ask any working woman. It takes a lot of juggling, planning, and money to put on a holiday party. The ideas we give you can be used for any get-together, but these ideas work really well for reducing holiday spending while reducing stress.

• Potluck dinners are a great way of reducing time, effort, and spending on holiday gatherings. Potlucks take a huge amount of time out of holiday meals while letting everyone at your gathering shine with what they contribute from their kitchen. Also, potlucks tend to bring people together in a more connected way since everyone is contributing and has a chance to share the kitchen dish that they do best.
• Progressive dinners are another way to reduce time, money, and stress over cooking for a crowd. Whether you are celebrating with your neighborhood or family a progressive dinner where one part of the meal is hosted at a different house or location is a great way to spread the fun around.

Spend Less & Have More Fun this Holiday Season

I know many people feel they are extending their debt levels during the holiday season by trying to meet their and other people’s expectations. Truth be told, most people don’t need more stuff cluttering up their houses. Being conscious of what we are giving people and making sure it’s making a meaningful contribution to their life is probably more important than a big box with a huge bow to open during the holidays! We share some cost-saving and stress-busting ideas below:

• Give the gift of Local Services. This has a threefold benefit, it supports local businesses, it gives a service to a friend or relative that they might not buy for themselves, but would really appreciate, and it can be used when the person most needs the service.
• Shop Thrift Stores. Other people’s past treasures can yield some amazing gifts for the holidays. From rare books to vintage apparel, from the perfect kitchen gadget to an incredible signature purse, they can all be found at thrift stores. Repurposing, and reusing is a great way to help our environment and give a meaningful gift at the same time.
• Make a List and keep to it. Lists help you stay on track and not overspend and save you time as a bonus.
• Create a Gift Exchange instead of buying gifts for each person. Toss names in a bowl and choose a name for each person attending. This allows the person to get a well-thought-out gift of some value instead of a bunch of tiny gifts that might make their way to the landfill.
• Have your friends and relatives create a Santa’s Gift List of the items they would love to receive during the holidays. Have everyone share their gifts by email before Thanksgiving. These gift ideas can be used for a gift exchange or for individual gifts. So much easier and less costly in the long run to get someone something they will really enjoy!
• Use your Reward Points that you may have racked up on your credit cards. Cashing in those rewards points can really help trim the holiday gift budget.
• Clean Your Closets, kitchen, and garage, and you may find hidden items that would make the perfect gift for someone in regift.
• Bake Bread or Cookies for a holiday gift. An added treat includes the recipe written out for the gift recipient. Wrapping your homemade baked goods can also be part of the gift, keep it festive and reusable!
• Make a Coupon Book. Creating a coupon book for a person can be a very individual and special holiday gift. You can tailor the coupon book to the person’s specific needs, be it babysitting, car washes, meal preparation, a haircut, or teaching something you know that they’ve wanted to learn!
• Use Cash, Not Credit Cards. It’s amazing how much more conscious we are of what we spend when we have to count out cash instead of just sliding a credit card into a card reader. You might find by paying cash that you spend a lot less this holiday season.
• Focus on Gratitude. Especially at Thanksgiving, it’s important to focus on what we are grateful for, but it’s a great habit to start and keep up throughout the year. One of the most meaningful gifts I ever gave my dad was a list of all the attributes I received from him and everything I have learned from him through the years. He has kept that list for years and pulls it out many times and it always brings a tear to his eyes!
• Avoid Self-Gifting. I know it’s tempting, but hold off on buying gifts for yourself no matter how good of a deal, and focus on just your list this holiday season.
• Shop Garage Sales. You not only help someone else create some holiday cash, but you can also find some wonderful deals that would make the perfect gift for someone you love.
• Shop Facebook Marketplace, it can be a wonderful source for local deals that would make a great gift for someone on your list.
• Shop the Holiday Fairs. Holiday fairs are a really great way to buy local and purchase gifts that are handmade and special.
• Book Your Travel Early. Booking early or booking on off days around a holiday can make a difference of hundreds of dollars in your final cost of visiting friends or relatives at a distance.
• Purchase Gift Certificates to their favorite stores or local establishments.
• Make Memories by giving someone a photo collage of special moments or people in their life. Put together a scrapbook or photo book online of memories for a person you love. Both of these gifts will keep giving through the years.
• Use Your DIY Skills to make a unique gift for someone you love. Better yet, for someone who isn’t as handy gift them some of your time to do upkeep on their house or build something they would enjoy!
• Keep to a Budget. Set your budget for the holidays and keep to it. Approach the holiday season budgeting like a board game you are trying to win and give yourself a small treat for staying within budget and making it around the board this holiday season without breaking the bank!

Especially if you are buying for a DIY enthusiast on your gift list, purchase a Shed Windows and More Gift Certificate for them this holiday season. No gift wrapping, no mailing costs, and their gift certificate is emailed directly to their inbox.  For a DIY project person, a gift certificate for items they have wanted or needed for their next building project is a great gift that keeps giving. We are grateful for each of our customers and the builders that rely on us for their building supplies and we wish you and your family a safe and happy holiday season.