Here’s How to Enjoy the Holidays on A Budget

The holiday season is a magical time of year, but it can also put a strain on your household expenses. Gifts, dinners, decorations, and other holiday fun can add up quickly. A little budgeting and DIY creativity will not only save you money, it can also enhance the holiday experience for your whole family. Here’s how to do it.

Set a Holiday Budget

The first step in saving money is to make out a detailed holiday budget. Figure out how much you want to spend, then divide the funds into categories like gifts, entertaining, and dining. You can further divide this if needed based on how much you will spend on each person

Secret Santa

One way to give gifts without blowing the holiday budget is to do a Secret Santa exchange or similar gift-giving game. Instead of buying gifts for everyone, each person draws one name from a hat and shops for only that person. You can also set a limit on how much to spend on gifts.

DIY Christmas Gifts

Another way to shave a few dollars off your holiday budget is to make the gifts yourself. Homemade gifts are a great way to personalize the experience. Knowing that someone put the time and thought required to create something makes the gift extra special. Here’s some DIY Christmas gift ideas to consider:

• Plant shelf 

• Coffee table 

• Placemats 

• Birdhouse 

• Blanket ladder 

• Nesting tables 

• Tic-tac-toe 

• Jigsaw puzzle and puzzle board

DIY Christmas Decorations

DIY Christmas decorations are another great way to save money this holiday season. You can easily make both outdoor and indoor holiday decorations, and customize them to fit your space, décor, or colour scheme. They can also make DIY Christmas gifts. All you need is some paint, fasteners, a few basic tools and craft supplies. Here’s some popular DIY Christmas decoration ideas:

• Wood snowmen 

• Wood Christmas trees 

• Christmas centrepiece 

• Advent calendar 

• Christmas pillows 

• Festive vases 

• Christmas mugs 

• Christmas dough bowl 

• Christmas serving block  

• Salt dough ornaments 

• Christmas wreath

DIY Christmas Wrapping Paper

Another way to keep within your holiday budget is to make your own wrapping paper. Use craft paper with markers, glitter, glue, ribbon and more to create personalized gift coverings. You can even let the kids get in on the fun!

Handmade Christmas Cards & E-Cards

Holiday cards don’t have to be pricy to be meaningful. DIY holiday cards are a great way to express your creativity and let someone know you are thinking of them during the season. Use card stock and your computer to create professional level cards, or just let the kids draw pictures on regular paper for a cute and creative touch. You can even include a Gift card inside the envelope. For loved ones who can’t make it for Christmas, e-cards will let them know they’re not forgotten.

Free Holiday Activities

Holiday activities don’t have to cost a fortune to be loads of fun. There are plenty of things you and your family can partake in that won’t cost much, and in some cases may not cost anything. Here’s some ideas:

• Holiday parades 

• House and yard light displays 

• Public skating 

• Carolling through the neighbourhood 

• Watching holiday movies together 

• Baking Christmas cookies 

• Doing holiday arts and crafts 

• Visiting the elderly in nursing homes

Holiday Dinner Tips

One of the easiest ways to blow the holiday budget is on Christmas dinners and holiday parties. Thankfully, there are ways you can save on your holiday meals without skimping on flavour or presentation:

Start shopping early: Buy non-perishable items a little at a time in the weeks or months leading up to the holidays. This might include flour, sugar, cooking oils, pastas and other dry goods. Holiday ham or turkey can also be purchased in advance and frozen if you find a good deal, but most sales on these items take place closer to the holiday. 

Swap ingredients: In many cases, store brand items taste just as good as name brands. If you don’t have a favourite brand buying the off-label products can save you a lot of money. 

Cook from scratch: It will save you money, and you can control the ingredients you’re feeding your family. 

Make fewer sides: A few carefully selected favourites is plenty. Don’t feel pressured to include a dozen sides with each meal. 

Carefully choose dinnerware: Disposable dinnerware costs less, but a nice set of holiday plates, dessert plates and glasses is an investment you’ll enjoy for years to come. And it will eventually pay for itself!

Make some time this holiday season for some DIY gifts and decorations. Afterall, Christmas isn’t about spending lots of money, it’s about spending time and making memories with the people you love.