I don’t know about you, but for me it feels as though it was just the other day that we were celebrating Christmas, but sure enough, here it is again. Christmas day is generally a very relaxing and peaceful day for families. The build up to this day, however, is quite the opposite. It is during this time of year that people tend to be busiest. Work is demanding, the kids are home from school looking for something to do, and on top of all this, there are still so many things that need to be organised for the big day. If all this hustle and bustle wasn’t enough, this holiday period can also be very financially taxing. Between planning holidays to buying gifts, it often feels as though spending money never ends.
While the Christmas period should be about celebrating with your family, friends and, depending on your religion, your church community, it is often the gift giving part that people think about most during this time. Many people have to arrange gifts for partners, kids, parents, siblings, cousins, friends, bosses, and the list goes on. The good news is that you can still give a great present without having to delve into your life savings. Here are some low cost gift ideas:
Gift baskets: gift baskets and hampers are wonderful gift ideas because they are original and can be very diverse. All it takes is to get together a few bits and pieces, such as the person’s favourite food, drink, DVD, chocolates and any other things you think they might like. The best thing about this gift is it shows that you have gone to a lot of effort, and you can put in as little or as much into it as you wish.
KKs: For those who don’t know, a KK (Kris Kringle) is when a group of people, such as a family, a group of friends or a class, put everybody’s name into a hat and each person chooses one name each, that name being the person who you are to buy a gift for. This is a really fun way of buying presents as it adds a little mystery into gift buying and leaves everyone wondering who will be buying for them. Alongside this, it is the ultimate way to save money as you are only required to buy one person a gift as opposed to a number of people.
Make something: This is probably one of the easiest and cheapest gift ideas, but also tends to be one of the best. Things you could make include a scrapbook for someone close to you with pictures, quotes and letters, a personalised apron you have decorated for someone who likes to cook, a CD with favourite songs for your best friend, a hand made voucher for a partner to take them out for dinner and to the movies whenever they like, and the list goes on. While this may seem like something really small, it shows the recipient how much time and effort you have put into their present.
Always remember, ‘It’s the thought that counts’!
Now that we have the present situation under control, time to move onto holiday planning. Everybody needs a break and it is generally during this time of the year that people tend to do so. So how can it be done economically? Here are some tips on how to save money when organising a trip:
Avoid school holidays: if you are planning on going away with your partner or a close friend, aim to do it when school is on. Prices are a lot higher during school holidays, so if you don’t have to go during this time, try to steer clear of it, not to mention it will probably be a lot more relaxing without kids running around everywhere!
Explore Australia: if you are going away with your kids, you don’t have to go overseas. There are so many great places within Australia, and furthermore, within Victoria, that you can visit. Places such as Lorne, Ocean Grove, Mt Bulla and The Grampians are all beautiful holiday destinations which will work out to be a lot cheaper than an overseas trip.
Think Big: instead of going on small trips every year, why not save up for a big holiday? This will give you something to work towards. I personally find that it’s a lot easier to work and save money when you know you are working and saving up for something. Adding on to this notion, if you have something planned, you will be able to book months in advance, which in itself will save you a lot of money.
Always remember, you don’t need to go to Paris or the Bahamas to have a great time. In my eyes, a holiday is a holiday. No matter where you go, as long as you are away from the demands of your daily life and are with good company, you will have a great time.
The holidays don’t need to be a stressful and expensive time that provokes anxiety. They can be as relaxing as you want them to be. Plan ahead, be creative and stay on top of things. Happy holidays!
By Monica- ADAVIC Volunteer
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