With the recession biting deeply here are a few thought on how we might enjoy Christmas as much as ever without getting into (deeper) debt. The answer is DIY. Start with any (raw) materials or ingredients which you have to buy in order to make things such as food, gifts, presents, toys and so on. Pay in cash only. Avoid using credit cards, store cards, debit cards or cheques. If you don’t have the cash, don’t buy.
Second step – make a list of what you can make. Be imaginative. Christmas cards are a good start. Enlist the kids. Who knows, you may have a budding Picasso among your kids. What about home made decorations and crackers? Perhaps older children can give their parents baby sitting vouchers. Cooking and baking opens all types of possibilities for gifts. How many mums would just love to be told that their teenage kids are going to cook the Christmas turkey – lock, stock, barrel and stuffing? Gifts can be cleaning up after Christmas, hoovering for a month, washing the car, trimming the hedges, walking the dog, washing the windows, making home made biscuits. The list is endless and you can minimise incurring debt to a third party such as your credit card provider – who does not really love you or your family at all.
Finally, why not socialise at home. Instead of going to the pub, invite your friends to your home. Organise fun activities. Guests bring food or drink. One person becomes the nominated driver to leave people home afterwards (what a great Christmas present!). Perhaps a totally cashless Christmas is impossible nowadays but with the right attitude and spirit, Christmas can be a fun time by simply doing it yourself.