With the holiday season fast approaching, specialists advise early preparation to get the most enjoyment, while spending the least time and money. Christmas is only 12 weeks away—wow! Guest contributors Ms. Ketvi Roopnarain and Ms. Fiona Mair discuss the value of planning for gifts and meals and budgeting accordingly, to help celebrate with joy instead of debt.
Ms Roopnarain reminds us, investing the time to plan in advance can help bring peace of mind about where money is going and reduce financial stress. Opt for meaningful gifts such as personal letters rather than commercial picks. These decisions can deepen your holiday spirit while still keeping easy on your wallet.
The Importance of Early Planning
So it’s important for people to start planning early. Ms. Roopnarain believes that the process should begin now to regain some ability to control costs. She states, “When we plan a little bit ahead, you stretch the enjoyment.” This very proactive effort gives families the ability to ask critical questions on how their dollar will be spent. It’s guiding their planning on how they’ll celebrate the season.
She adds, “You minimize stress because you feel in control again.” Families can chart their holiday gatherings to identify whom they would most like to spend time with. As part of launching this strategy, this forces them to sharpen their budget. This includes figuring out just how much they will need to set aside in the weeks ahead.
Establishing a target savings goal can further alleviate the financial strain. Ms. Roopnarain illustrates this by saying, “Say you need $1,000 and you know over the next 12 weeks you can save $50 a week by doing something differently.” This targeted strategy really puts families in control of their holiday season spending.
Cost-Effective Meal Planning
Beyond gift planning, Ms. Mair stresses the importance of meal preparation to keep Christmas expenses in check. She recommends that it’s the items on sale that will add up the most to help save you money when planning for a holiday meal. In particular, seafood and food protein such as ham are traditionally the highest cost items during the holidays.
“Some people choose to do a side hustle. Would it get you closer to your goal for the festive season if you did a bit of tutoring or something you’re good at?” says Ms. Roopnarain. With this newfound flexibility, families have the opportunity to take advantage of innovative approaches to dramatically improve their holidays while saving money.
If you looking to save on meal expenses, look to pastries to boost your celebratory meals. Ms. Roopnarain enthusiastically recommends them as a cheaper alternative. She encourages families to take a homemade approach to personalized pie fillings. This one small action makes finding savings behind the scenes easier without sacrificing quality and flavor.
Creative Gifting Solutions
Keeping in mind the spirit of giving with thoughtfulness, Ms. Roopnarain suggests looking for personalized gifts from op shops as a special original option. These gifts are likely to be easy on the budget and come with a personal touch that recipients are sure to connect with.
“You might be perfecting a Christmas pudding recipe or have succulents in your garden and want to propagate,” she explains. “You can get beautiful pots from op shops and create a personalized gift.” This new emphasis on creativity helps people to provide thoughtful gifts without having to break the bank.
Additionally, creating a mealtime culture can further reduce costs in this period. Inviting each guest to bring a dish not only helps alleviate the financial burden but contributes to a more communal spirit, a true hallmark of the season.
