Just a couple of weeks before ‘Xmas, so I guess you’re on the rush to buy the presents you want to put down under the tree! You’re probably looking for the best gifts: useful, beautiful and cheap. So you don’t dare to think about your bank account, once you’ll have spent all this money: January will be hard to live… But in case you’d be short with money (or broke), there is a way to avoid the troubles in the early 2017, and probably your first depression of the new year: so reconnect with the spirit of ‘Xmas. I’m sure you know what I mean…
Since when didn’t you think about what ‘Xmas really is? What does it mean to you?
Some like ‘Xmas because this is the moment the whole family is met: grandparents, uncles, kids, and sometimes an old lonely friend. Some others prefer travelling, working, or giving a help to a charity organization. Everybody gets their own idea and habits of Christmassy. But in any way, the most important is the spirit of ‘Xmas: peace in the heart, love to give and get, and sharing a nice meal.
So what about presents?
This is an old habit which has grown with the 50′ when the IIWW was just over, so people had money enough to spend again. But now things are different: the economical crisis lasts, money is hard to win, to spare, and many people haven’t even a job. Times are hard to live. That’s why we all have something to learn from that: we may change our way of living, and think about how to be reconnected with simple things.
‘Xmas is the best moment to do it.
Firstly, you could spare a lot of money with presents: ask your family (or people you’ll spend ‘Xmas Eve or ‘Xmas Day with), to buy only one present that costs less than 5$ ou 10$, etc…). Put all the presents in the big red sock of Santa Claus, or in a big furnished basket. Someone will draw lots of gifts, which will proceed to exchange some of them at the end! But you could also attribute a name on each presents, each one could have bought for the person they want (you must make a list before to know who buys a present and for whom). This simple way of doing will save the money of everybody, and will be a very pleasant moment. For the kids, ask your family members to give just a little more amount of money, and add it to yours to buy the presents. It will be less expensive for everybody.
Secondly, you must know what you’ll cook for the ‘Xmas day, because it’s easier to go for shopping food then. Avoid shops where prices are too high, and look for the best prices even you must go to shopping several times. At Christmassy, there are always discount shops where to buy what you need. But the most important is to do all by yourself! You will spare money cooking by yourself. Ask a friend, your sister or your mother to help you, if ever you’ll invite your entire family at home. Cooking is fine, so you’ll know what you eat! Find a recipe easy to make, cook a good dessert, some cookies, and prepare a drink based on fruit juices and cinnamon (you can add bourbon in a different jar, only for adults), or an egg nog (proceed the same). Champagne is welcome too, so you can find out a very cheap bottle and just add black-currant syrup on the Champagne flutes. It’s not expensive at all, so that makes a good effect on your guests.
Then furnish your table with little branches of some trees in your garden or while a walk on the nature. You can also bring back some pineapples you’ll paint in a silver or a gold color, put a candle or two on the table, and I’m sure you’ll be able to add some vintage stuffs found out in your closets! A beautiful table doesn’t need a lot: your imagination, your young kids or your family will help you to do it. Ask for everybody to give you their hand for everything: ‘Xmas is the best moment to share!
At last, mostly if you’re a woman, you will think about what to wear for this special moment. But you have nothing to wear! You got on weight (or the contrary), so your wardrobe is your worst nightmare. Don’t panic! A lot of women are on the same case. Ask around at work, or among your neighbors and friends if they would like to barter. You can make it at home, and it’s a very funny time! Everybody bring a clothe (or more) to barter. A room will is used as a fitting one. Prepare some cookies and ask people to bring something too: a cake or a drink. I can assure you’ll spend a very nice moment all together! No money will be spent, so your guests will be happy to make a good bargain by this way, as chatting with each other. So you’ll get something new to wear for ‘Xmas! With a nice neckless (bartered too) or a scarf(id), your outfit will be very beautiful.
Well, after reading this post, you get now how much the spirit of ‘Xmas is made of exchanges, love, and changing their mindset. It’s not a punishment to get no money to spend, so we all must to reconnect with the essence of simple things. Remember that a smile, a cuddle, a nice word is the most important; not the food nor the gifts. Being all together to share love, laughs, and chats is the more precious. Create your family if ever you haven’t one: it could be an old neighbor, or a lonely friend. Do your best to give some heat in their life. Yours will be better as well.
I wish you a Merry Christmas!
Love,
Jane