We don’t spend a lot of money at Christmas. Sure, our spending increases, but only slightly. There are many reasons why we do Christmas on the cheap: I’m far too practical to want to make our bank account hemorrhage more than it already does; I despise shopping; I grew up having simple yet intimate holidays in rural Manitoba; and my husband and I met abroad, and spent most of our holidays backpacking through various countries.
So given all this, why would we spend a lot now that we’re having our first Christmas ever at our home in Calgary?
Here are 5 ways we do Christmas on the cheap:
(1) Buy used. As I’ve mentioned before, my husband is addicted finding deals at garage sales, flea markets, and auctions. As a result, our tree, decorations, Christmas cards, wrapping paper, outdoor lights, and stalker-Santa (who hangs from our front door) were purchased “nearly new.” Even Mr. Claus shopped second hand: he’s bringing William a giant Robosapian and a few Hot Wheels cars, and Vivian’s getting an easel and some art supplies.
(2) Limit gift giving. We don’t give gifts to everyone. We buy practical gifts for our parents, do not give gifts to siblings, and tend to exchange presents with nieces/nephews only when we’re together for the holidays.
(3) Prepare simple meals. I’m not even cooking a turkey this year. Okay, who am I kidding, I’ve never cooked a turkey in my entire life, though I have massacred the odd chicken. This year, I’m cooking (i.e. heating up) a ham for Christmas Day. On Christmas Eve, we’re having an international tapas of sorts: my husband and I are preparing some of our favorite dishes from abroad, including hummus, Greek salad, Thai chicken fried rice, and lefse (which my mom graciously made and delivered last week).
(4) Limit alcohol. My husband does not drink, which means we tend not to have any alcohol in the house. Thankfully, I have good neighbours; thankfully, they don’t like red wine, so when they get some, they call me over to drink it. We call it “community service.”
(5) Start simple traditions. Christmas Day is going to be a pajama day. Both William and Vivian received pjs from their Pajama Grandma (everyone needs a Pajama Grandma), and so we’ll all stay cozy for the day. I’ll put on fuzzy slippers to make a Canadian breakfast: homemade waffles, maple syrup, whipped cream, and back bacon. And we’ll play with our presents, whether they’re big or small, new or slightly used.
Good suggestions. I think our lack of expensive hobbies helps keeps the cost down as well–throwing a football or shooting basketball hoops is just not that expensive.
You gotta love ball sports: inexpensive, entertaining, and healthy. Harder to do in -20 and snow, though…
Community service by drinking wine, eating two weeks worth of the kids’ nativity chocolate to help them catch up…you are always thinking of others, IM.
We’re establishing our simple traditions, too. Our “elf,” Willie, leaves the kids lots of little, inexpensive gifts leading up to Christmas. Kids are pretty easy that way; they’ll get excited about anything if you sell it.
By the way, that Canadian breakfast description has completely thrown off my concentration.
Can you send Willie to Canada? So true about kids getting excited about anything; this afternoon, Thing 1 and 2 spent an hour refashioning items they rescued from the recycle box.
Great ideas. Christmas Day has always been a pajama day in our family and it is the best tradition ever. The four of us have breakfast in our bed (although it is getting tighter every year), and every year we watch the same twp classics: White Christmas and Holiday Inn. Precious memories. This year, my daughter’s friend is staying over and he will participate, although I don’t think we will invite him to our bed.
Merry Christmas!
Kasia, you are our model for PJ Day…good thing we have a king-size bed.
Remove pasta for best results. That’s good advice for many activities in life. Can I just say how much I would love to eat some of that Canadian breakfast? You had me at whipped cream. As a matter of fact, I think I’m going to forage for waffles right now.
I tested that breakfast this past Saturday (minus the whipped cream). It was yummy. Well, the second batch of waffles were yummy (after my husband spent ten minutes prying the first batch from the waffle iron). At least I didn’t throw the spatula across the room (every Father’s Day we have a “throw the spatula” contest in honour of my first kitchen flip out). That’s a blog for another day.
Nice post, sounds like a very cozy christmas in your household. THAT is the way to do xmas & the holidays. Keep it simple. It’s also the more earth-friendly approved program. Enjoy your holidays, have a good one!
Thanks for not adding “Stupid” after the “keep it simple” comment. When I’m in the kitchen, the “stupid” comment is usually warranted. Happy Christmas, my blogging friend from Ontario!
Love it! I am so like you – not quite as hardcore (I’d like to be). Any gifts I do buy tend to be books or little things that go for under $25 for my family in Ontario. I think the effort of sending them a box full of little things is now a Christmas tradition. I buy everything from indie stores ner my house and stay out of the mall. Neither my husband nor I make any efforts to find Santa for a photo opp. The funny thing is since we don’t look, he magically appears everywhere! So funny. Our big expense is an annual open house which I love. It’s brings friend and family together, which really is what the hols are all about.
I like the idea of an annual open house. Maybe I’ll fly in for yours next year! 😉
We have a local Christmas tradition of going for a hike on Christmas day with various no-kids friends. We live in an area with lots of great red sandstone canyons. Some years we get the perfect day of blue sky, snow, red cliffs and green juniper trees. All beautiful free gifts from Mother Nature.
Then we go out for Chinese food. So no cooking turkey here either :-).
We fortunately have several really nice thrift shops that support various charities. We’re strong believers in buying “nearly-new”. Keeps things out of the landfills and supports a good cause. Thrift shops and yard sales are also my favorite sources for swag for geocaching.
Here’s an idea for another “cheap” Christmas item. After the holidays I collect up the Christmas cards I received and using pinking shears I cut up the fronts of the cards to make gift tags for the next year. For example if a card has groups of kids on sleds, I try to make several tags each showing one group. Then I use a hole punch to make a spot for the ribbon. Reusing a card works only if the sender didn’t write on the other side. I started doing this as a kid (don’t remember how young) and only occasionally need to buy real tags.
I love love love the craft idea. I’m going to get my daughter (Thing 2) to do that with our cards. I have no problem with child labour in my own house. Happy Chinese Food!
YES. To everything… we try to keep the holidays quiet-ish, too – with practical gifts, nothing over-the-top, and more of a focus on just spending time together. (It’s tough trying to talk to others about Christmas planning, though, when they all seem to be going crazy with the toys and x-boxes and everything… Ack.)
Yes, I agree. After listening to some people, I almost feel guilty for not being busier. Almost.
Great post!
Since having kids, we buy for less people. In my side of the family, we draw names and just buy for one person. On my husband’s side of the family, we buy for his parents. But instead of buying for his brother’s family, we do a family outing instead.
We are on our own this Christmas. I am planning on trying your pajama day tradition. Thanks.
Happy Holidays.