Anyone would dread having financial deficits anytime, more so during the holidays. Fortunately, with some ingenuity and diligence, it is possible to get through the season with little or no money.
Read through on these frugal suggestions on how to afford Christmas when broke.
Simple Hacks for How to Afford Christmas When Broke: A No Money Merry Christmas
Having no money to spend during Christmas is a damper, yet you can enjoy Christmas without spending money.
You can turn your Christmas budget game around with the following tips and even have money left after the holidays.
READ ALSO: 13 Cheap DIY Dollar Tree Christmas Decorations & Gifts
Communicate Gifting Changes
If you have always pampered your loved ones during the festivities, the financial situation will require a modification of your gifting routine.
Please discuss this with your family members so that they understand the minimalism or austerity measures. This is also the perfect time to give your kids some financial education.
Draw a Christmas Budget
Making a financial plan on the available money versus the expected purchases will help you prioritize spending on utilities, groceries, and Christmas shopping.
For instance, spending on decorations instead of food would be imprudent. You might also realize that you could stretch your money more.
Gift According to Allocation
Start this survival hack by listing all the people you expect to give a Christmas gift.
See how much of your money can go into the gifting and allocate an amount for each person. Now, go shopping and look for items that fit the allocated funds.
READ ALSO: 13 Magical Christmas Window Decoration Ideas To Light Up Your Home
Forego Personal Gifting
As we pamper others, we also buy ourselves treats- often as impulse purchases.
You can forego such shopping for yourself and other members of the family who are willing to sacrifice to pull through the hard times.
Offer a Service in Place of Tangible Gifts
Some services, such as housekeeping and babysitting, show a heightened demand against the dwindling availability of staff during the festive season.
Some employers even pay extra for such help. Offering such services free is a valuable gift.
Re-gifting
We own items of profound sentimental value which our loved ones know we hold dear.
You can re-gift such priceless possessions to people who are special to you.
Rotational Party Hosting
If you threw the Christmas dinner party last year and are struggling to make ends meet, you can ask someone to host this year’s festivities.
You can also create a hosting plan so that someone saves and prepares in advance to cover the costs of feeding an extended family.
Share Festivities’ Responsibilities
You can split the financial responsibilities and duties.
If you cannot handle any financial aspects of the Christmas dinner, you can chip in with a service.
Appease with Toy Appeals
The elder children and adults will understand the minimal or lack of celebrations and gifting.
However, it can be stressful for the younger ones who wrote to Santa and whispered their wishes in his ear. You can apply to Toy Appeals.
These are arrangements where families in a tricky situation receive donated toys to give kids a happy Christmas.
Win Hearts with DIY Crafts
If you are creative or have a particular skill, you can exploit that to make handmade presents.
Many online videos and instructional scripts offer free information to guide even novices in creating astounding crafts.
You can also sell these crafts to boost your income and mood.
Hunt for Discounts
If you start shopping well before the Christmas period, you will realize that retailers raise their prices shortly before and through the Christmas season.
Also, many hold sales to dispose of leftover Christmas inventory at mindboggling discounts. Take advantage of such to stock up for next year’s Christmas.
Reschedule Traveling
We look forward to traveling to scenic vacation locations or joining our families.
Flights and accommodations cost more during the holidays, not to mention the crowds. Postpone your itinerary to January to enjoy better terms.
Enjoy Free Holiday Activities
You can do plenty during the holidays that will not cost you a dime. You can borrow Christmas books from the library for evening read-aloud sessions or spend some time crafting homemade Christmas decorations.
You can also go caroling, skiing or sledding, build snowmen and play free games. Look up free events at your location, such as parades, church events, and craft fairs.
Turn Old to Gold with Repurposing
There are hundreds of repurposing ideas on the internet.
You can scrutinize them and find some ways to transform old toys, clothes and other items around you into exciting and valuable gifts.
Final Thoughts
Besides surviving Christmas without feeling weighed down by the sadness of being broke, its important to realize that Christmas comes from the heart.
We can get through the season with a smile and full of gratitude for the love and support of our loved ones. If you are struggling to get through the holidays, I have been there. There are times I never looked forward to it because I couldn’t afford much and my kids had to content with that.
But this season in my life taught me some of the most important money lessons I live by. We don’t just buy toys or gifts because its Christmas, we buy meaningful gifts. And this can happen anytime in the year and when there is money.
And the beauty of it is that, you can have a meaningful Christmas without money and splurging. So if you are wondering how to afford Christmas when you are broke, its possible to enjoy this season with the bare minimums.
Lucy is the writer and editor for Mybeautifulhaven.com. I am a mom of 3, a teenager, and 2 others under 5yrs. I love decorating, organization and motherhood and in this blog, you are going to find a mix of all this. I hold a degree in English and Literature with several years of teaching both in elementary school and high school.
