This time of year is a time of overabundance. We tend to go a little overboard with everything from shopping, to eating, to celebrating. It can be fun, but it can also lead to feelings of guilt and stress. I would like to invite you to tone it down a little. If you can reign it in a little during the season you have a better chance of starting the new year feeling good about your situation, especially your finances, (and maybe your waistline too). This is not to say that it cannot be a joyous season for you. In fact, it means just the opposite. If you can learn to enjoy the season without the overindulging, you will be able to enjoy it guilt-free. And that is a much more satisfying feeling. Let’s take a look at what I mean, specifically: Reuse: No need to go buying new holiday décor each year. I’m sure you have plenty put away from last year. The same goes for wrapping. Just reuse those gift bags. And, yes folks, being as frugal as I am, I even carefully unwrap my gifts, and reuse the paper the next year. I also reuse the tags (I collect them all after the unwrapping). Ditto for ribbons, boxes, etc. Reduce: The number of gifts you buy. It can still be a very pleasurable time for all with a few less gifts. In fact, when it comes to children, often “less is more”. They may get overwhelmed with too much of an abundance of gifts. And quantity isn’t everything. A few well-chosen gifts can be much more meaningful than a pile of plastic destined for the landfill before too long. Recycle: It can be fun to make ornaments out of what you have laying around at home (rice filled snowmen out of old socks, snow globes out of jars, stars out of old book pages, repurpose an old sweater into mittens, or a hat, or turn it into an “ugly Christmas sweater”, etc. Through the magic of google you can find a project for whatever you happen to have in your own cupboards and drawers. I guess this might be better called “upcycling” Also remember to actually recycle any by-products of the holiday that you can (cardboard boxes, bottles, etc.). And I will add one more to this list: Regift: I know it has a bad rap (or wrap, LOL!) but it has its place in your frugal holiday if done correctly. Sometimes a gift can be perfectly nice, but you already have something similar, or it’s just not right for you. There is nothing wrong with saving that gift to give to someone else who might appreciate it more than you. (Just always remember who gave it to you, so as not to lead to a very embarrassing regifting situation!) And now, best of all: Relax! If you thoughtfully go through your holidays, without all the crazy overindulging and overspending you may just find that it is a more peaceful time for you and all those involved in your life. You may just come to like this new calmer pace. And a new quieter family tradition is born. Better for your finances, for your waistline, and for the environment. And when the calendar turns to the new year, you will be refreshed and ready for it, feeling in control and confident to move forward with your dreams for the future. Wishing you all a peaceful and contented holiday season, and of course,
A very bright future!
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