Cutting Costs This Christmas

I asked my kids a few days ago what they’d like for Christmas this year. Money is tight for us, as it is for everyone, but I want to at least try to get them something they were hoping for. My three year-old started listing off more toys than I even knew existed ending with a request for a dinosaur toy that is big enough for him to ride on. My six-year old had been thinking quietly and when her brother’s list was through she said simply, “All I want is a jump rope. And I think Grandma is getting it for me.”

Sometimes I forget that she is more aware of the world than ever before. She knows that money is tight right now – for us and for millions of people across the country. Her response led us into a great conversation about giving instead of getting. We also came up with some ideas of how we as a family can reach out to those around us this Christmas:

Handmade Gifts
Painting pottery is popular right now and it’s also a great way to make inexpensive, yet beautiful gifts. My kids, ages three and six, and I decided on painted pottery Christmas ornaments as gifts for their grandparents this year. We found some simple ball-type ornaments and used different colors of paint to put their handprints on the ornaments. We had a ball creating the ornaments and my kids are already planning what they want to make next year.

Another homespun gift idea is to make Christmas cookies, fudge, and other goodies to use as gifts for neighbors and friends. These can be packaged in inexpensive tins or plastic holiday containers purchased at a dollar store or the dollar section of a local department store. We often include homemade cards that say “Merry Christmas! We hope you have a sweet holiday.”

Dinner At Home
Most of us eat a home-cooked Christmas dinner either in our own home or with family. However, by committing to eat at home more often than usual up until Christmas we can save ourselves countless dollars. Not only might this provide a little extra cash for Christmas presents, it also sets a great example of sacrifice and self-control for our kids.

Feed The Hungry
This is a great time to volunteer to serve in a homeless shelter or soup kitchen. There are more families than ever needing help. Did you know that there are over 600,000 families in shelters throughout the US? (source: http://www.opendoormission.org/documents/pdf/children_in_homeless_situations.pdf)

Most shelters offer family-friendly volunteer opportunities this time of year, such as delivering toys and/or Christmas dinner ingredients to low-income families. Contact your local shelter for details.

Support a Ministry
A couple of years ago we made the decision to sponsor a little girl through Compassion International. It’s been a very rewarding experience because we know that she is receiving the money that we send. We are able to communicate directly with her through letters, pictures, etc. It’s been fun to see my kids learn about the world through the eyes of this new friend an ocean away.

Another favorite ministry of our family’s is Operation Christmas Child. They allow you to pack a shoe box full of Christmas goodies and day-to-day necessities and these are distributed to kids around the globe. Even with finances being tight this year we were able to make a trip to a great dollar store near us and pick out some items that we pray the recipient will enjoy.

This year, as the economy suffers and our budgets tighten, is a great time to cut back on expensive Christmas gifts and opt for a budget-friendly yet meaningful Christmas. Take a look around you and find families or ministries in your local community with needs that you can help meet; slash some of your normal spending habits and find ways to model sacrifice and giving to your children.

About the Author:
Jill Hart is the founder of Christian Work at Home Moms, CWAHM.com. Jill is a contributing author in the new book Faith Deployed: Daily Encouragement For Military Wives (Moody Publishers) and co-author of the upcoming book Home-Based Blessings (working title, Beacon Hill Press).