Monday, November 10, 2008

Family Christmas on a Budget Help is here

The secrets of having a nice family Christmas on a budget.
Merry Christmas to you all!
Now let's just start by saying that the purpose of Christmas is really to celebrate the birth of Christ and everyone would have that in their minds constantly when preparing for Christmas.
I would also like to say that Christmas is a season for giving, but does that mean spending a lot of money? Christmas is a time for sharing so why not start now and make your decorations - special family decorations those that mean something every year to your loved family members.
Well some maybe thinking that the Christmas budget will be a bit tight this year.
But here is some help for you.
I will give you some of my budget stretching secrets during the next few days to help solve all of your Christmas woes.
But I can't solve the family feuds or the stress of bringing families together - that's another set of tips to be reserved for much later.

Today I want to show you how to shop wisely. So read carefully and hope you find that the information is useful.

TIPS for busy families:
1. Give a gift of your time a "work" voucher
Make up a voucher for each family member promising some of your time. How often you chose to pledge your time is up to you.
Here are some of the things you might be able to offer:
Window Cleaning for Mum/Dad/Nan/Pop
Child minding for a young mum
Mow the lawn
Make a date to take someone on a picnic to a very special place.
Care for the Pet, walking /washing
Weed the garden
Clean the Car
2. Make Something
batch of biscuits
Make a Christmas cake
Prepare a Photo album of some special pictures you have taken through the year, decorate it your self.
Prepare a first aid kit for the car.
Decorate a small box and fill it with things you can purchase on your budget make it a theme.
3.Shop at the "charity shops"
This is a great way to pick up something for everyone. You help the "charity" by shopping there and giving them money to help others too. There are lots of ideas here too.
Jars to fill with things!!
Baskets to fill and decorate!!
Nice peices of china!!
New items of clothing are here somethings too!!
Wall hangings
Pictures
Toys
4. Subscriptions
The local newspaper.
A favorite magazine.
40 South makes a great gift.

So that's a start. Now here are some very useful shopping links where you will save as well.



Online Shopping :  Bargain Shopping at oo.com.au


Now You can buy clean skin wine here also for a discount. My BIG TIP is to print up your own special Christmas labels for thewine and give to your friends and family!




2 comments:

Joanne Kennedy said...

Great ideas. This year my family and I decided we were not going to buy each other gifts. We are going to either make them or give gifts of time as you advised. It's already made the stress of Christmas so much less. This year I'm really looking forward to it more then ever.

Hugs,
Joanne

Anonymous said...

Thanks for posting on our website about budget friendly christmas gift ideas! You have some great ideas of your own. Thanks for sharing!

Rita
http://www.homespunhealers.com

 
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