How To Save Money At Christmas
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when you aren't shopping at the last minute with no real idea of what
gifts you want to buy? Of course! Just imagine a holiday with plenty
of food, fun occasions with family and friends, and gift giving that
doesn't exceed your time and dollar limits. It will all become reality
when you learn the tradition that lots of families share each year.
So what's the secret? The tradition (and it's really no secret) is
drawing names for Christmas gifts in your family or group. Some people
call it Secret Santa. Basically, you put everyone's name in a hat and
each person draws a name. Instead of giving a gift to every person in
the group, you give just one gift to the person whose name you draw.
That's one gift instead of many. Uno.
Giving just one gift has great merits. First, it's easy to be
thoughtful when giving one gift. You can't say that when your list has
20 or more people on it! But thinking of one person can be lots of
fun. And it doesn't put a strain on the wallet. When you choose a
different person every year, you eventually give a gift to almost
everyone in your group. Just not all in the same year. Now that's
special.
To make drawing names real simple for your group, just follow two
guidelines:
- First, draw names early in the season. Give everyone plenty of time
to think about their drawn person and decide on a gift before the
holiday gets busy.
- Second, define rules and limits for the group to follow.
Plan your gift exchange while you are together with your family or
friends on vacation or during Fall holidays. In your office, organize
your secret santa in October or early November. Draw names early, and
you'll have months to choose just one gift.
Remember, your goal is to keep the gift giving simple and the get-
together fun and meaningful. As you draw names, set the gift-giving
rules. Here are some examples of rules that groups set for having fun
and keeping it easy:
- Most groups set a dollar limit for their gifts. People usually want
to give a gift that's roughly equal in value to the gift that they
will receive.
- Many groups keep the draw a secret, and then guess the giver after
the gift is opened. This makes the event into a party game that
everyone looks forward to each year.
- Some groups decide that the gift must be homemade or pre-owned by
the giver. This is a great idea, especially when children are
included, to show how it's the thought that counts. It also ensures
that the exchange is affordable for everyone.
- Some groups decide that the gift must fit in a Christmas stocking.
Then they fill each other's stockings. Small candies and chocolates
can be added for fun.
- Some groups decide on one particular gift each year, like everyone
gives a picture frame, a hat, or a calendar. Then they change the
chosen gift every year.
- Some groups have a "white elephant" exchange, which is to give
silly, crazy, or even bad gifts that no one would ever want! Watch out
if you choose this type of exchange, because it can quickly get out of
hand.
- The whole idea is to have fun together, so be creative! Some groups
change the rules every year.
The reality of having a secret santa is that you limit your shopping
time and keep your budget reasonable. The magic of drawing names is
that everyone in the group has fun and feels special. It's no wonder
that families make a tradition of drawing names.
Plan early, and you'll sail through those once busy months of November
and December this year. Try it, and you'll never go back to the old
days of endless shopping.
Happy holidays!
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