Tis the Season to Be Frugal

The holiday season is upon us. Christmas decorations are up in the store. With holiday sales for pre-season shoppers and turkeys are in the supermarket, it is only a matter of time before we see eggnog and those yummy Christmas flavored coffee creamers.

Thanksgiving and Christmas are delightful! I spend the entire Thanksgiving week decorating the entire house for Christmas. I things from the walls and tabletops and replace them with Christmas decorations. Holidays recipes are already sitting on my kitchen counters waiting to be chosen for the season's baking fests.

 But, as I have begun stocking up for holiday baking and purchasing a few Christmas presents, I have to admit that I am a little stressed out about money. I have five children and two additional people living with our family so Christmas is expensive in our house. Stuffing the stockings alone costs me a small fortune. Thanksgiving dinner is another big expense I need to anticipate.

I don't believe in borrowing, so we never go into debt at Christmas, but we do spend more money every year than we plan. And truthfully, in past years, we've had enough money to save carefully and be able to lavishly spend on our children. (Well, lavish for us!) For the past ten years (and more recently, the last two years from my daddy alone), my parents gave me money to buy their gifts for our family from them. So, when our finances were tight last year, I used that gift money to purchase gifts for the kids. The Lord took Daddy home this year so there will be no financial help from parents. Of course, I don't care about that; I just wish I could have him back!

What I am trying to do, though, is to show you, dear readers, that our finances are tighter this year because I think yours are tighter too. We are all in the same boat of wanting to bless our families at Christmas, but feeling like we cannot do it! Or, at least not the way we want to do it.

So, let's make a plan for the holiday season together. First of all, realize that your desire to bless your family and friends is noble. Our Heavenly Father is generous. He loves to bless His children. We are made in His image, so we want to bless those we love too! The second thing to remember is that celebrations cost money! That's just the bottom line. Let's make plans to spend as little as possible while having a grand celebration!

Commit the Holidays to the Lord

• Pray and ask God to help you create a frugal and joy-filled celebration!
• Ask Him to provide things you can't afford (remember, He does miracles for His children!).
• Ask Him to provide bargains, pray specifically for everything you need (food, paper ware, decorations, gifts, stocking stuffers).
• Make the season about growing closer to the Lord! Fill your days with music, Bible reading, singing, laughing together, and making memories!

Resolve not to go into debt!

• Put your credits cards in the freezer now, so you can't use them!
• Talk to your spouse and freeze his too!

Decide how much you can afford and make a realistic budget

• Use cash, not credit or debit cards.
• Keep budget with cash in an envelope in your purse (or in a pocket) when you shop.
• Write down EVERYTHING you spend on the holidays and keep in envelope.

Look for ways to cut corners and save money

• Purchase several turkeys during the Thanksgiving sales and freeze. Prices on turkeys never get lower than at Thanksgiving.  
• Carefully watch sales and stock up on needed items ahead of time.
• Make gifts instead of buying them (but use supplies you have on hand or you can end up spending more money!)
• Rent a movie and pop popcorn instead of going to the movies. (Waiting for movies to come out on video teaches delayed gratification!)
• Look for deals online.
• Try using store brand products when they are cheaper or only buy expensive items on sale when you have a coupon.
• Don't spend money on yourself while you are out shopping! Be firm! (But share with the Lord what you would like and ask Him to provide--you will be surprised how much the Lord enjoys blessing us!)

Pitch in with friends and family members to rein in spending

• Have everyone commit to a spending limit on gifts and keep gift giving to one per person.
• Or draw names and just buy for the person whose name you've drawn. This works great for extended family get-togethers.
• Have a cookie swap with your friends where you bake your specialty, providing that cookie for other families. Everybody bakes the same amount of cookies and you each go home with as many cookies as you brought, just different kinds!
• Let guests bring side dishes to holiday meals and parties.
• Make a wish list for yourself and have others give you their wish list. That way money is being spent on things that people really want and need!
• Make a gift with your friend's young children for her and have her make gifts with your children for your young children.

Remember that God loves holidays! He established several in the Old Testament for the nation of Israel to celebrate. Let's keep the focus on Him, not the things money can buy. Let's honor Him in the way we spend our money this season and see Him reward our obedience. God is like that--a Rewarder of those who seek Him and walk in His ways!

Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas!