Holiday Tips

The holidays are fast approaching and our economic climate hasn’t improved except for the lower gas prices. I can’t believe that my husband purchased gas for $1.589 per gallon today when a couple of months ago the price was over $4.00 a gallon. We seniors are especially hit with the reality of increasing prices while on a fixed income.
We must be extremely creative with our limited financial resources while holiday shopping. This is where sale papers, manufacturers’ coupons, store coupons, and online coupons come in handy. Whether you are shopping for gifts, holiday decorations or food look for coupons. When buying gift cards, be aware that some cards have an expiration date. Earlier this year, some stores went out of business and many gift card recipients couldn’t redeem their cards. That was money down the drain.
Make a list of the people to whom you usually give gifts. Is there anyone you can eliminate without causing a problem? (Hint: Some of these friends and relatives may also wish to be removed from your list so that they may remove your name. Don’t hesitate to talk to them to get a feeling of what they think. You aren’t the only one suffering.)
For the adults in your family you could pull names. Each adult writes his or her name on a slip of paper with a wish list of three to five items under a set price (i.e.: $25). Then each person pulls a name and shops for that one adult rather than for everyone. OR everyone could make or purchase inexpensive gag gifts that suit the recipient’s personality.
Prepare the children honestly about economic hardships and your inability to buy every gift they request. A reality check done without the harsh anger you may feel will help youngsters deal with life better in the future. Begin early scaling back on so many toys and gadgets. Many young children are soon bored with new toys anyway and play with the boxes that the gifts come in. Encourage this creativity with washable markers and crayons. Let the children play with the wrapping paper and ribbon that you weren’t planning to reuse. (Of course, reusing wrapping and ribbon saves money.)
When wrapping gifts for children use the comic section of the newspaper. Wrap an adult’s gift in the sports section, the movie section, television guide or the kitchen section of the paper. Not every gift needs a ribbon.
In our family, Thanksgiving dinner is always potluck. As host and hostess this year, my husband and I are providing the turkey, dressing, a homemade cranberry relish (my husband’s specialty) and a dessert. My sister makes her delicious homemade rolls and several other side dishes. Mother always bakes her popular pound cake. Our niece and a cousin will also provide side dishes and/or desserts. Others are invited to bring whatever they wish to bring but they are not asked to do so. A host and hostess gift is not required.
This Thanksgiving we are expecting 18 dinner guests for plenty of food, fun and frivolity. Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy.