How to Give Big without Spending Big this Holiday Season

The holidays are indeed a time of giving big and of (you got it!) spending big. By now, though, we're all feeling the impact of the financial crisis in one way or another. Whether it's the high gas prices or grocery bills, cuts in yearly raises or x-mas bonuses, or even layoffs -- we can agree with those State Farm ads:

We're most definitely there.

It's not that we don't love our friends and family . . . but we simply can't shower them (or ourselves for that matter) with lavish items this holiday season. And, really, should we start up again when things get better? Our giving practices are in need of serious evaluation. After all, what exactly is the purpose of giving? I'm remembering something about how it's the thought that counts -- which goes all the way back to 2nd grade. But I guess it really is time to go back to basics.

How can we still give to one another, show one another we care, without breaking the bank??? It's not as hard as you might think.

1.) Make it a family affair. I recently proposed to my immediate family that in place of gift giving this year, we all treat ourselves to a day at the spa -- together. Perhaps even the day after we celebrate x-mas with the larger family group. If we each pitch in and get one treatment, on average it might cost $50 to $80 a person. The best part? Many spas have hot tubs, relaxation rooms, steam rooms, luxurious showers, and other facilities that are included for the entire day you're there.

But, I'll admit, that's still on the steep side, so let's keep our thinking caps on . . .

2.) Exchange homemade gifts. They come from the heart. They can be relatively inexpensive. They showcase your mad skills. Why not knit a scarf for your sister with that skein of yarn you've had in your closet for the past two years? Make some homemade ornaments for your parents -- a gift they'll enjoy well into the future. Maybe baking is your thing. Create tins of x-mas cookies for little cash and watch your grandmother smile as she digs her teeth into your famous chocolate chippers. Are you an avid photog? Print and frame some of your favorite shots -- art is priceless, and great frames don't need to be pricey!

Not much of a crafter? Head over to Etsy or papernstitch and browse through the millions of hand-crafted items, many of which won't set you back too far.

3.) Revel in the little things. Pick up cute basket at TJ Max or Home Goods (or the Dollar Store!) and fill it with steals you find in clearance sections or even at the grocery store. I'm not thinking mindless shopping for any crap you can find with an orange sticker slapped on it. Look for items like note cards, jars of Nutella, last season's dish cloths (I'm thinking Target specifically with this one -- they have tons of great ), delish teas or hot cocoa, etc. It's those little things that can bring a smile to your friend's face, show her you care . . . and yet, cost less than a strip mall haircut!

(Note: No hate towards strip mall salon establishments. I cut and color my own hair most months.)

4.) Donate your talents. We all have unique gifts of our own. Abilities that make us special. Why not give them to one another? For example, my mom also blogs (she's over at Winterberry Creek) . . . and she's been itching for a new look for her site for quite a while now. So, we've agreed that one of my gifts to her this year will be to help redesign and refocus her blog's look and feel. How about you? Are you excellent at something that could benefit someone you love? Maybe you have a passion for shoveling snow . . . or painting . . . or some other creative bent you could either teach or offer up to your mother or brother, uncle or best friend.

Give yourself some credit! Everyone's got something they know they're the best at :)

5.) Regift. Yeah, I said it. Get two hot pink Snuggies under the tree last year? Someone send you two Scrabble sets for your birthday (this one is a true story -- it happened to my mother-in-law this year)? Receive a fancy bottle of red wine, but you're more of a beer type of guy? It happens. Now, I'm not advocating blind regifting for the mere sake of saving. But if you think your dad might really enjoy that handsome emergency radio more than you would have, consider giving it to him. And I think my mom might actually quite enjoy a hot pink Snuggie.

Do any of you have tips & tricks on how you save big during the holidays? I'd love to hear them! And I'll be sure to add more as they come to me . . .

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The "B" Word: Budget

Seems like all the buzz since the beginning of the economic downturn has been about cheap or thrifty (perhaps the more popular term) ways of doing anything from remodeling your kitchen to reinventing your wardrobe. Stephen and I are certainly not immune to tight financial situations. Living in New York State isn't exactly a treat right now. Especially considering that we both work FOR the state which is in billions upon billions of dollars in debt (set to double by this time next year) and cutting programs and jobs left and right. Beyond this fact, we've been on the conservative spending side of things since college ended thanks to the 4 most glorious years of our lives -- and an added one for Stephen's graduate work -- at a private school with little $$$ assistance. Add a car loan, home loan, some credit card debt (though, not too much, thankfully), and lots of dinners out, and we really don't have much saved.

There's good news! We're realizing now that despite it all, we FINALLY have the power and the motivation to start saving, even if it's only a tiny bit. And when we passed the 25-year mark in our lives . . . we realized we needed to grow up a bit.



For instance. Wii. We love you dearly. But seriously? You come out with a new game every millisecond -- and Stephen just can't resist you. Just look at him, absolutely addicted to DJ Hero! J. Crew, West Elm, Anthropologie. Please. Stop sending me your gorgeous glossy catalogs every month. I can't resist, and I've taken to having Stephen hide my credit card like some pastel Easter egg! Beloved house. Home. Roof over our heads. I beg of you. Stop presenting problems like poor circulation of heat in the master bedroom . . . a broken garbage disposal/clogged kitchen pipe . . . and who knows what else is next. And just so you're aware, I'm growing tired of your color scheme! So much paint! And then we'll need new curtains . . .

Why rant online about money woes? I guess what spurned it all is that EVERYONE I know seems to be having babies or announcing their preggers status these days. Which is great and lovely -- and I'm excited for all my dear friends. And not that we're thinking of starting a family in the near future, but it'd sure be nice to know we could someday possibly afford a crib for the kid to sleep in. And maybe some food for the poor little thing. Oh, baby . . . but we have a long way to go to build up to that point. Ultimately, we've discovered that our mid-twenties are turning into late-twenties, and fast. This means we're adults, PEOPLE! Though buying our first house was a small step in the right direction, the thought of eventually bringing about new life somehow pushes the (lack of) Benjamins right into our faces.

Well, we've done something about it all today. I drafted up a new and improved budget -- complete with savings projections through this time next year! And it looks positive. What does this mean for the neverhomemakers' household?

Some changes effective immediately:

1.) We've been inspired by Katie over at Making This Home to embark on a "no new clothing" challenge. She's already made it over 7 months. We're just two days and counting, but I'd like to see us go at least three months to start (hopefully more) . . . and then see how it goes from there. This sacrifice, if you can call it that, will likely be difficult for me . . . but it means much more wardrobe remixing!

2.) We're capping our grocery and dinners-out at a much, much lower number. As runners, our favorite non-running activity is eating -- and lots of it. We basically LIVE at Wegmans . . . and consume so much food even a competitive eater would be shamed. But we're creative in the kitchen -- so we're looking at this one as an opportunity as well. Of culinary proportions!

3.) We've given each other an allowance. Each month, instead of loosely-monitored personal spending for things we "need" (like shoes, video games, magazines, cookbooks, power tools, you name it) . . . we are allowing a certain dollar amount for a "treat" -- and we're sticking to our guns. Can't afford the pretty Tiffany key pendant this month? SAVE IT UP, girl! Maybe next month (or the next). Can't quite make the change for that custom Guitar Hero guitar (carved out of exotic beechwood)? You'll just need to wait, buddy!

There's more . . . but it's 8 minutes after my usual bedtime (again, I'm NOT a 12-year-old!). If you'd like some quick tips on how to look at your own budget and possibly pinch some pennies, check out these 9 tips on how to set up a budget. And stay tuned for more of our personal budget modifications. It means a lot less spending and a lot more contending with our home projects (etc.) with little or -- GASP! -- NO money at all.

If you have tips and tricks of you own, feel free to share. We could use some free advice!

Like what you just read? You can subscribe to the feed of these posts and be the first to know what the (never home)makers are up to. And we’ll love you forever <3

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