A ₵entsible Christmas is not only about saving money. It’s about making the season count. It’s about spending less, giving more, building memories and focusing on the ONE that we celebrate.
As a child, I found Christmas to be magical. I loved the enduring traditions. I also could barely contain my excitement waiting to see gifts under the tree on Christmas morning. I hope it is the same for my children. As a mom, I want so much for my children’s eyes to light up when they walk down the stairs and see the tree.
Of course we want that for our children. Magical memories.
However, what if in our effort to create the magic, we lose sight of reality? Reality being how much can we really afford this Christmas? When I had 1 or 2 children, I just bought gifts.
Once I had 4 children, I found the gift spending easily to get out of control. If I bought 6 gifts for one child, I then had to buy 6 gifts for child 2, 3 and 4. That added up quickly. It also began to set a precedent of what is expected on Christmas morning. I didn’t want my children to be disappointed because they only received 5 gifts, when the year before they received 6.
So, 3 Christmas’s ago things had to change. We developed the 3 gift guideline. The 3 gifts are to represent the 3 gifts given to Jesus. I figured if Jesus only received 3 gifts, my children didn’t need to receive more (although they still do since they receive from family too).
This guideline has helped me immensely. It has forced me to:
1. Keep spending under control. Even though I am frugal, I still struggle with wanting to spend money. Too much money. I love to shower my kids in gifts at Christmas, but it is not good for them or us.
2. Prioritize. If I have a list of 20 items I want to buy for one child, it forces me to choose which is really most important. I suspect that life will go on without all of the other gifts.
3. Simplify. More gifts means more clutter. Enough said.
4. Focus. It reminds me that Christmas is not just about buying gifts. It is about traditions and faith. When the gift buying is simplified, it allows the other areas of Christmas to become more clear.
I still do stockings with the kids in addition to 3 gifts each. Perhaps some of you already keep Christmas more simple than this. That is wonderful. Many families apply the 3 gift rule with many creative ideas to go along with it. I am not that fancy with it yet.
Focusing your gift buying can create a more ₵entsible Christmas for you and your family. The good news? If you already bought too much, you can return a few of the gifts. How does your family simplify gift giving?
If you missed other posts in my ₵entsible Christmas series, feel free to check them out here:
Do you want to celebrate a ₵entsible Christmas too? Subscribe to the Frugal Flamingo via email, Facebook or Twitter so we can celebrate together.
Linking up with the 5 days of Christmas and Frugal Friday
Great tips! I love the third one. More gifts really do mean more clutter. That is something I am very finicky about when it comes to buying Christmas gifts. Especially when you have children. Those toys can build quickly! I would love it if you would link up to my Frugal Christmas Week (http://the-north-forty.com/2011/12/04/frugal-christmas-week-link-up/) so my readers can check this out as well! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteooooh! these are very cute! the first is my fave, but I also like the shoebox. my kids would be in heaven. now. I actually need to DO it!
ReplyDeleteI love this post. It's a great reminder as we plan ahead for the holiday season. I figure the sooner I start planning, the easier it will be to keep things simple.
ReplyDeleteI would love it if you would share this at my new 12 Days of Christmas in July linky party. You can link up here:
http://theprudentpantryblog.blogspot.com/2012/07/twelve-days-of-christmas-in-july-linky.html
I can’t wait to get organized for a peaceful and frugal holiday season!