First let me say that I love Christmas. It is without question my favorite time of the year. It just feels good. I think that people as a whole treat people at Christmas the way we should throughout the year. That being said, I have become increasingly disillusioned with the commercialism of Christmas. Everything is buy, buy, buy. I think this mentality is why Americans are in as much trouble financially as we are. We have to say enough is enough. It is more important to focus on the religious and family togetherness aspects of the holiday. Our kids aren't going to remember in 6 months what they got for Christmas. They would remember having a lot of good quality family time at the holidays. They would remember baking with mom and playing board games with the whole family on the coffee table in front of the fire. Most people don't pay off their Christmas debt until at least June of the following year. Instead of starting 2010 with a mountain of new debt why don't you join me in keeping this a cash Christmas. I'm not saying you shouldn't buy your children any gifts. That is unrealistic. I'm just saying to get out of the mentality that this year has to outdo last year and next year will be even better.
I am having the best time this year searching for good deals when buying presents for my twin girlies. I have gotten them each a few things and have by no means broken the bank to do so. They are 2 now and this is the first year that they are getting the concept of the holidays (we had the best time at Halloween). I just want to slow down and make each day about spending time with them and doing special holiday things. After dinner tonight we cleared off the table and listened to Dora's Christmas CD while coloring Christmas pictures together. I already have baking sessions and other craft projects planned for the next few weeks.
My goal for our family is to be debt free by next Christmas (except for the mortgage). We have already paid off over $78,000 worth of debt in under 3 years. We still have a ways to go, but I am determined. Our next Christmas will be a debt free one. After this goal is met, we will be ready to move to a house with a little yard for our girlies.
Here are my debt free Christmas tips:
Try to give your family fun traditions that don't involve spending money like giving everyone a mug of hot chocolate while you drive around looking at neighborhood light displays.
Have fun creating decorations with your children as these are the decorations you will treasure as the kids grow up-homemade is always better!
Write down several ideas for each person on your list and then hunt for deals to get an item(s) from your list as inexpensively as possible. As I said I'm kind of a dork when it comes to getting a really good deal on something specific I'm looking for. It's like I'm sitting at the slot machine and all 7's come up. I'm like the lady in the IKEA commercial "START THE CAR"!
Give neighbors, friends and family homemade gifts from your children (baked gifts or crafts made by the children)
Make a calendar for family members featuring pictures of your children and theirs with family birthdays and special days highlighted ( I did this last year- I made 8 for free using my My Coke Reward points. It didn't cost anything and everyone LOVED them. I have gotten compliments about them all year long).
Think further ahead than December 25th. What do you want for your children's future? Do you want them to have a fully funded college account or do you want them to be impressed with their presents for one day?
Join me in wishing for a debt free Christmas. Check out Life as Mom for other ideas to keep Christmas simple. Check her out here.
