Getting Through Holidays and Events

USCGamecocks · 03-20-2008, 05:59 AM

Seems like each month out there is also attached with a theme or another occasion to spend money. I don't personally jump on the bandwagon and decorate for each season or buy because someone tells me too but I was wondering if anyone has any hacks for special holidays to save money but still be festive and not a grouch.

E.g. New Year's, Valentine's, St. Pattys, Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Boss Day, Grandparents Day, Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving... etc.

jdp · 03-20-2008, 06:52 AM

Focus on family and community.

I love the town we live in. There are free activities for the major holidays, even fireworks themed to Valentines day. We just focus on doing things together and the being together. Same for the family days.

I save on cards by just going through pictures, having a folder of favorites of my kid with each person we send birthday cards to, pics with the grands and kids, etc. and having my son make a card out of the pic - usually involves him cutting some construction paper (how we seem to get a never ending supply of the stuff from people I don't know), decorating with whatever strikes his fancy and is onhand. Whenever I get an offer for "20 free prints" from an online vendor or local store coupon I print the ones we'll be needing next. I can't tell you how much those cards have made everyone so happy. Make most family members cry when they get it. I tell you, my digital camera was the best $ I ever spent (clearance, woot). But even before that disposable cameras but paying for pics to be put on disk was even great for this.

Also, instead of store buying decorations for any of the holidays we like to make ours. Once in a while ds will say "their decorations are PRETTY" and give me a look lol. And just because we made them doesn't mean they are disposable. We keep them around until ds has matured past them then save a few personal favorites.

And lastly, we don't buy gifts because of the calendar. We buy things for people because the thing made us think of them or because we think it will bring them enjoyment. And give whenever. People now just acknowledge we're a bit different.

kav122 · 03-20-2008, 08:40 AM

yay! That was beautiful, jdp! I like all of your ideas.

We haven't really gotten to the point where the boy is asking for decorations, so we will be doing Easter with the church, no decorations in the house, just Easter dinner and some homemade dyed eggs and some candies left over from Halloween from a year or more ago. (Buy on sale then freeze them, he is little and doesn't need candy anyway!)

I can't wait to make cards with him when he is a little older!!

Christmas he just got two toys (yard sale) and some small cars, oranges, etc in his stocking. My husband and I just put pistachios or other small treats like that in each others stockings.

We try to focus on recreating the "magic" that was there when we were kids. The little things that you remember from holidays that don't cost a lot. Being with family, making cookies, watching Christmas movies and stringing popcorn, etc.

For the smaller holidays like Mother's day, Father's day we don't really do anything special, just spend family time. I'm sure as he gets older we will get him to make a card for us or whatever.

Megan · 03-20-2008, 08:48 AM

I think there are definitely easy ways to be festive. For some holidays, just dress the part. Red and green at Christmas, red at Valentine's Day, green on St. Pat's Day. Handmade decorations are always fun as well.

Another easy, festive trick that I learned is around the holiday, pick up some bulk, themed candy. By themed, I mean "colored." Green peppermints at St. Pat's Day, for example, and set them on your desk for sharing. It's inexpensive and so simple, but tends to bring a little smile to people's faces. It seems silly, but it's just a nice little thing.

In terms of gift giving, I was raised by a mother who starts her Christmas shopping right after Christmas. Never really actively looking, just keeping her eyes open for good deals on things she knows people will like. Sure, she ends up spending money, but it's less than she would have spent if she had bought the things full price. Same goes for birthday gifts and such. It usually means she comes up with great gifts too, because they weren't bought during a "I need to buy a present for X" mode, but a "Oh, look at this, I bet X would love it" mode.

rstlne · 03-20-2008, 09:02 AM

I buy candy the day or week after each occasion when it goes on 75%-off sale at CVS. So yes, I do celebrate, but only a bit late.

03-20-2008, 05:59 AM	#1
USCGamecocks Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 123 Reputation: (19)	Getting Through Holidays and Events Seems like each month out there is also attached with a theme or another occasion to spend money. I don't personally jump on the bandwagon and decorate for each season or buy because someone tells me too but I was wondering if anyone has any hacks for special holidays to save money but still be festive and not a grouch. E.g. New Year's, Valentine's, St. Pattys, Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Boss Day, Grandparents Day, Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving... etc. __________________ Timemakeover.com - Time Management Articles & Resources

03-20-2008, 08:40 AM	#3
kav122 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 443 Reputation: (186)	yay! That was beautiful, jdp! I like all of your ideas. We haven't really gotten to the point where the boy is asking for decorations, so we will be doing Easter with the church, no decorations in the house, just Easter dinner and some homemade dyed eggs and some candies left over from Halloween from a year or more ago. (Buy on sale then freeze them, he is little and doesn't need candy anyway!) I can't wait to make cards with him when he is a little older!! Christmas he just got two toys (yard sale) and some small cars, oranges, etc in his stocking. My husband and I just put pistachios or other small treats like that in each others stockings. We try to focus on recreating the "magic" that was there when we were kids. The little things that you remember from holidays that don't cost a lot. Being with family, making cookies, watching Christmas movies and stringing popcorn, etc. For the smaller holidays like Mother's day, Father's day we don't really do anything special, just spend family time. I'm sure as he gets older we will get him to make a card for us or whatever. Last edited by kav122 : 03-20-2008 at 08:46 AM.

03-20-2008, 08:48 AM	#4
Megan Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 304 Reputation: (59)	I think there are definitely easy ways to be festive. For some holidays, just dress the part. Red and green at Christmas, red at Valentine's Day, green on St. Pat's Day. Handmade decorations are always fun as well. Another easy, festive trick that I learned is around the holiday, pick up some bulk, themed candy. By themed, I mean "colored." Green peppermints at St. Pat's Day, for example, and set them on your desk for sharing. It's inexpensive and so simple, but tends to bring a little smile to people's faces. It seems silly, but it's just a nice little thing. In terms of gift giving, I was raised by a mother who starts her Christmas shopping right after Christmas. Never really actively looking, just keeping her eyes open for good deals on things she knows people will like. Sure, she ends up spending money, but it's less than she would have spent if she had bought the things full price. Same goes for birthday gifts and such. It usually means she comes up with great gifts too, because they weren't bought during a "I need to buy a present for X" mode, but a "Oh, look at this, I bet X would love it" mode. __________________ Counting My Pennies

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

03-20-2008, 06:52 AM	#2
jdp Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 184 Reputation: (24)	Focus on family and community. I love the town we live in. There are free activities for the major holidays, even fireworks themed to Valentines day. We just focus on doing things together and the being together. Same for the family days. I save on cards by just going through pictures, having a folder of favorites of my kid with each person we send birthday cards to, pics with the grands and kids, etc. and having my son make a card out of the pic - usually involves him cutting some construction paper (how we seem to get a never ending supply of the stuff from people I don't know), decorating with whatever strikes his fancy and is onhand. Whenever I get an offer for "20 free prints" from an online vendor or local store coupon I print the ones we'll be needing next. I can't tell you how much those cards have made everyone so happy. Make most family members cry when they get it. I tell you, my digital camera was the best $ I ever spent (clearance, woot). But even before that disposable cameras but paying for pics to be put on disk was even great for this. Also, instead of store buying decorations for any of the holidays we like to make ours. Once in a while ds will say "their decorations are PRETTY" and give me a look lol. And just because we made them doesn't mean they are disposable. We keep them around until ds has matured past them then save a few personal favorites. And lastly, we don't buy gifts because of the calendar. We buy things for people because the thing made us think of them or because we think it will bring them enjoyment. And give whenever. People now just acknowledge we're a bit different.

03-20-2008, 09:02 AM	#5
rstlne Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: New Jersey Posts: 361 Reputation: (115)	I buy candy the day or week after each occasion when it goes on 75%-off sale at CVS. So yes, I do celebrate, but only a bit late.