I have been hearing murmurs about Christmas guilt as the big day gets closer. People are second guessing their decisions to not buy for the extended family. People are thinking that just one item may not satisfy their children. People feel bad for leaving out teachers, mail men, co-workers. People are worried about what they will do if someone gives them a gift if they did not give them anything back. It’s enough to make me want to hide in my room until January first.
During the last month or perhaps longer most of use frugal people have seriously considered how much we had to spend and who we would spend it on. We didn’t make these decisions maliciously. We had no intent on hurting anyone’s feelings. Or decision to have a frugal Christmas was not based on Scrooge-like feelings. Instead, we decided to cut back or to spend carefully for the well being of our wallets. Why should that change now?
If you really feel like you might be neglecting your family and friend this Christmas, then spend some time thinking out of the box. Look at some of the many free and frugal ideas we have come up with here at families.com.
Almost Free Gifts You Can Make Now
Trendy Home Made Christmas Gifts
Frugal Gifts: Nice Effect without High Cost
Another option is to dig up a box of those Christmas cards you never sent out and right a real heartfelt message to the people on you “no gift” list. Personally, I like to make a large basket of a crafted gift and carry it around with me, giving them out to everyone I meet, or to anyone with an unexpected gift. Some ideas I have used in the past are cookie cutters that I hot glued ribbon to and transformed into Christmas ornaments. Another year I hand painted porcelain ornaments. Last year I took a large pile of colorful socks and filled them with rice and cinnamon stick shavings to use as heating pads. For children, I purchase a box of “Christmas coal” gum. The kids loved the novelty item. I only no more than two dollars a person for any of these gifts, and the ornaments only cost 50 cents each.
So if you are feeling a bit of Christmas guilt, but don’t want to end up in debt trying to make yourself feel better, use your imagination and leave your pocket book at home.
~Andrea Hermitt writes for parenting (specifically teens), the home blog, and also the frugal blog, and homeschooling at families.com.
Also read: Frugal Gift Wrap Ideas
What to Do in Awkward Gift Giving Situations