"It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags." -Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
My new jobs – merchandising, consulting and writing – are keeping me very busy. And I’m paying all the essential bills, but my dispensable income is definitely less than at this time last year. So I’m finding lower cost alternatives wherever I can this Christmas, and still having tons of fun.
For starters, instead of buying gifts, I’m making lots of cookies for neighbors, coworkers and friends. Chocolate Cherry Shortbread – really, really good cookies- and Peppermint Crisscross - basically chocolate chip cookie dough with crushed candy canes instead of chocolate chips. For the cost of one purchased gift, I can make enough cookies for a dozen plates full. Based on the reception they have received so far, I may continue the home-made Christmas cookie tradition even when I regain my financial footing.
I regret that I can’t be as extravagant with gifts for my family this year as I would like. But my young nieces who live nearby – ages six and twelve – seem to get more joy from our Christmas traditions than from actual presents. They want to be sure we’re making cookies on the 23rd and attending a candle-lit Christmas Eve church service and then tracking Santa’s progress via NORAD online: essentially free activities, but priceless when creating special holiday memories.
I've cut back on gifts for myself too. My all-time favorite musical group, the Dave Matthews Band, played their final concerts of the year in Virginia a few weeks ago. The fact that the band is not touring at all in 2011 made the shows even more special. Should I take myself? The cost to attend: tickets at $150, air fare at $600, hotels and rental car $500: well over $1000 that I just can’t justify spending right now. Instead, that same weekend, I enjoyed a great night of live jazz by the Chad McCullough Quintent right here in Idaho Falls! My outlay was just $25 and the music was amazing. Live music isn’t as rare here as it used to be, but it is still a treat to find a good local show. (And I have to say, if DMB absolutely has to take a year off, 2011 works really well for me. The money I will save on tickets next year, without missing shows!)
And “less is more” doesn’t just apply to shopping!
My dog adopted a new kitten, Lucy, not too long ago. Lucy showed up at our house one cold night and I made the mistake of allowing her in. Just until the next day, I thought. Then Lucy and Maybelline, the dog, fell in love. Lucy curled up and slept with Maybelline that night; they are inseparable and I just can’t break them up now. Little Lucy is about seven months old and very active. She has climbed up the Christmas tree repeatedly, and toppled the entire thing three times. Ornaments and candy canes placed on the tree are immediately knocked off and broken, and the ones that survive have proven to have just too much intrinsic cat-toy value. The bare tree, decorated only with lights, stands in the living room sheltering plainly wrapped boxes, not a bow in sight (cat-toy value again). Once or twice a day, I fluff up the branches (artificial tree) where Lucy has been roosting and re-wrap the lights. The bare tree doesn’t look too bad, at least a night when the lights are on. And I am going to be able to take it down and pack it away so quickly after New Year’s!
Another time saver: instead of stringing lights all around my front porch, this year I have decorated the exterior of the house with green garlands and red bows, found at The Dollar Store. The Dollar Store is great, cheap retail therapy. I first discovered this chain when I moved to California when I was just out of college and over the years, as my income grew, I visited less. I’ve gleefully re-discovered it this year. You have to be selective, but you can find some great bargains there. And even if you go totally wild and splurge on all you can carry, the damage never adds up to much: I spent $20 last week and still feel spoiled. Two strands of solar powered lights provide a nice bright touch at the back entrance. Not only am I keeping tabs on my utility bill, but I am reducing my carbon footprint at least a tiny bit.
One area I do regret not having as much money available is charitable gifts. Now, I can still make some small donations; I know that I am more fortunate that a lot of other folks this year. So I have committed to devoting more of my time to my favorite local charity organizations in 2011: it is not as easy as writing a check, but it’s actually turning out to be more satisfying in a lot of ways.
I’m not traveling anywhere over the holidays this year: primarily to save money, plus it’s a busy time for my hourly job. So I’m staying home until after the holidays.
It is beautiful in Idaho this winter – snowy peaks and tolerable temperatures. I’ll take my dog for extra long walks or cross-country ski outings around the frozen Snake River under blue skies in the daytime and trees festooned with festive lights in the evenings. I’ll visit friends and sisters and nieces and watch “It’s A Wonderful Life” and “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” on DVD. Even without a lot of extra money to spend, it’s going to be a wonderful Christmas.
I hope yours is too!
