Ways
to Have a Happier (and more giving) Holiday Season
If you
are like me, you begin getting into the holiday season as soon as the Pumpkin
Spiced coffee arrives back on the scene and there is a little chill in the air.
Suddenly the trees are shed of their colorful leaves and the sweaters come out
of storage. All too quickly we begin to make our Christmas lists and thoughts
of Thanksgiving are brushed aside as we begin to busy ourselves. It seems that
this time arrives earlier and earlier each year.
While we
should be relishing in our first seasonal break, turkey and football, the clock
begins to move at dizzying speed as retailers stock their shelves with holiday décor.
Christmas trees are for sale while Thanksgiving items are being sold at
discount prices on the next isle and remnants of Halloween costumes litter the
clearance racks.
What does this mean for the consumer? It means that we
begin to feel pressure – pressure to shop and shop some more. Pressure to get
everything on our mile long list and pressure to buy for everyone we know.
Thanksgiving becomes a blur of eating and the next day brings Black Friday and
all of the craziness that it entails.
With a little thought and careful planning, we will not
get caught up in the hustle and bustle and will be able to enjoy what the
Christmas season is really all about – giving
to others and enjoying quality time with family and friends. There are
several ways to achieve a happy and joyous Christmas season without going broke
and without feeling like you didn’t get a break at all.
Create a budget and do not waver
Christmas does come at the same time each year! If you
being in January budgeting for the extra costs of Christmas, you will not need
to add up unneeded credit card debt. Make a list for who you are buying gifts
for and set limits. One option to prevent buying a present for everyone in your
entire extended family is to have a name drawing and buy only for the person
you choose.
Calculate hidden costs
Hidden costs of the holiday season can include elevated
electricity bills due to guests and/or holiday décor, gasoline costs from
sitting in heavy traffic and endless trips to the store, shipping costs if you
procrastinate, additional grocery costs due to visitors, parties and large
meals as well as giftwrap, Christmas cards and stamps. Remember to add these
into your budget.
Shop for well thought gifts
Many of us can get caught up in the “sales” including
Black Friday. But, these shopping trips can lead to overspending and impulse
buying. Really give thought to the gift buying process. Give gifts that will
truly mean something to the recipients. Think about what would make someone’s
life easier like a subscription to a dinner preparation center like Dream
Dinners in Cumming or a prepaid maid service. Also think about that person’s
hobbies or something they have always really wanted to do but haven’t.
Also put thought into where
you shop. Some businesses use part of their proceeds to help others and pay it
forward and many are Buy One, Give One companies. Some examples are Toms Shoes and
Sunglasses, Blue Silk Scarves, Burt’s Bees, Blanket America, Roma Boots,
Noonday (jewelry), Sseko (sandals/purses), Tukula (accessories), Better Life
Bags (Detroit based), Not For Sale (T-shirts), Hydros (water bottles), Krochet
Kids (clothing), Sevenly (clothes), Barnabas Clothing, Hiptipico, Red Earth
Trading Company (jewelry), and The Honest Company (organic baby care items).
Local places that give back include: The Boutique by No
Longer Bound (http://nlbboutique.com/) on
Peachtree Parkway where all of the items are created or built by men recovering
from addiction, Ten Thousand Villages at The Collection which helps eradicate
poverty in developing countries, and Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee located on
Post Road.
By choosing to shop for gifts with these companies, you
are helping to give back to more than just the gift recipient.
Donate to local charities or Sponsor a
Charitable Organization
There will be countless opportunities to donate money and
items to local charities during this time of year. We may feel the pull to
donate to every cause, but this is unrealistic. As a family, choose one or two
charities to participate in for the season. Remember that donating does not
only include monetary donations. Donating of coats and clothing from your own
home or donating of toys can also be an option. Serving at a local food bank
also cost nothing and is a great way to get involved. These donations of items
you already own and giving of your time also allow your children to see how
rewarding giving to others can be. A comprehensive list for Cumming and Atlanta
can be found at ForsythForFamilies.com. Many local churches also have ways to
help and donate.
Other charities that will keep you giving all year
include sponsorship of an International child through Compassion International
(http://www.compassion.com/) or
World Vision (http://www.worldvision.org/).
You can also order your Christmas cards through an
organization such as Children’s Healthcare, UNICEF, ShopDiabetes.org, Cards
That Give and St. Jude’s Recycled Card Program.
Take time for yourself to alleviate stress
Don’t feel pressured to attend every holiday party you
are invited too. Take some time to just relish the season with those who are
the closest to you. Enjoy the lights of your tree and the warmth from your fire
for a little while.
If you follow these guidelines and your holiday season
becomes more about giving to others than rushing from store to store to get
that last minute gift, you really will feel that you have used this holiday
season to do something good for others and you will not be focused on what your
holiday could’ve been.
Disclaimer: Holiday and Christmas were used in this
article, but many of these ideas can also be used for your family even if your
family celebrates something other than Christmas such as Hanukkah.