Surviving Christmas on a Tight Budget

How are you doing with your Christmas shopping so far? For sure, most moms have started making their list as early as June and take advantage of all the tiangee and bazaars that are scattered all over Metro Manila to find the best deals. Just like any smart mom, looking into the tiniest details has become sort of a habit mainly because money is not as easy as plucking fruits from their trees. Therefore, we want to make sure that everything that we buy is worth every cent that we spend.

When doing your Christmas Shopping list, what comes on the first spot? Is it the gifts that you would buy for your family and friends? The food that you will be preparing for the Noche Buena? Or the Christmas decorations to have the real feel of Christmas. Actually, I have never been as vigilant as listing all the possible expenses come Christmas. But since we have been experiencing an increase in prices here and there, any smart mom should be prepared for the holiday expenses.

Hold on to your Budget

Whether you work as an employee or a boss, I think it is wise that we get to realize that we tend to spend more than we earn sometimes. Particularly during the Christmas season wherein some of us may be too generous to give gifts to absolutely everybody we know no matter how small the gifts are. I do salute all people who take time to share their blessings to a lot of people especially during this time of the year when there are a lot of people who may feel left out because they do not have the things that we have.

So, here is a rundown of the anticipated expenses during the Christmas season:

1.     Christmas decorations. As early as June, those businesses who are into Christmas decorations start making their decors in time for the influx of orders whether locally or internationally. And there are just a few shops who may entertain walk-in customers to buy these decorations unless you promise to buy in bulk. Nevertheless, Christmas decorations are sold starting October. And what better place to buy them in a much lower price than in Divisoria or Dapitan Market. I think that you should take advantage while it is still early because some people would be rushing to make their house have that Christmas feel when Christmas is just a few days away. So, with this in mind, always ask the salesperson up to how much he/she can sell you an item. All it takes is charisma when you do this. Be patient, though, as some salespersons may not sell their products at a much lower price unless you find other things to buy wherein, he/she can probably take off a few pesos from your purchase. You can also have the option to make your own if you want to make it different and special.

2.     Christmas gifts. Some may splurge into buying the most expensive gifts for their loved ones. And I am cool with that. However, not everyone has the means or could afford it as much. Therefore, think of ways on how you can make your gifts extra-special. For example, a simple blouse may become extraordinary when you have it painted with a simple flower to make it personal. You don’t need to buy a super expensive blouse for that. Just be creative. You can do it on your own, actually. There are tutorials on YouTube which can help you with your small project.

You can also opt to bake goodies. Place it in a decorative box or jar and give each a personal touch. Who knows, this can also become a business for you in the future.

3.     Carolers. Be sure that you collect a lot of coins. I don’t think you would be spending one thousand pesos for carolers unless the teachers of your kids would be knocking on your door. Kids find it as the best way to earn something for themselves for Christmas. It’s just kind of annoying when these carolers would just sing s few lines and then start banging your gates demanding for some money. I know that it is the season of giving, and your temper gets tested. To stay away from all those frown lines and bad mood, just say something inspiring to these children. We can’t blame them because not all of them may have a full understanding of how to respect others.

4.     Godchildren – Young children most want toys. Be sure to search for Toy fairs which are surely going to be a big hit among children. Again, if you are in a tight budget, you don’t need to impress your kumares and kumpares by buying an expensive gift. Remember that Christmas is about love. And anything that you give should come from your heart. However, be wise in choosing the right toys. Make sure that the toys are safe and free from mercury, lead, and other toxic materials.

For the older godchildren, they may be expecting money instead. Well, probably just give them an amount that won’t hurt your pocket that much.

5.     Noche Buena. Do you think that Php5000.00 is enough for a Noche Buena feast? Definitely! It can actually feed about 20-25 people. Order food trays for your party! And this is actually a very practical way of preparing for your Noche Buena if your hands are tied. What’s more, you get to spend more time with your friends and family rather than be enslaved in the kitchen cooking for hours. For the past 5 years during Christmas day, when my husband’s siblings and their families would come to our home and celebrate Christmas with us, I prefer having our food prepared by a caterer, instead. I order them as early as October to make sure that we can be served. But sometimes, we still cook a little this and that to make it more festive since my husband’s family is quite big.

Save More To Save Your Sanity

If there is a huge challenge during the Christmas season, it is not the traffic, but in keeping your sanity on how to budget wisely. The best way on how you can save a lot for the holiday season is to know the right places to go. Malls may seem to offer items at reduced prices as they claim during SALE DAYS, but, there are other places in the Metro which you should need to find in order to have a hold on that budget. Search high and low, near and far. But, as I always say, be vigilant when buying. There are people who may take advantage and slip in something below quality.

If ever you are planning to prepare for your own food for the Noche Buena, create a list of what kinds of food to prepare and compare prices. When you have made the list of food together with the ingredients needed in preparing them, it allows you to have a better perspective on how you can make a budget. But of course, there are those who prefer to prepare their own food. And to set aside a certain amount of money as the new year starts would be wise.

You can save more if you stop looking at popular brands. Choose Filipino products, instead. They are not just less expensive. You also uplift Filipino pride by supporting our local brands. Give these brands a chance to showcase what they have and you will be surprised how Filipino products have become really competitive when it comes to quality and price.

If you think that you are really on a tight budget, look for alternatives. Although Filipino customs may insist on sticking to traditions even if it would cause them to drown in debt just to celebrate an extravagant Christmas celebration, I think it is high time that we all learn to truly make use of our hard-earned money wisely.

Celebrate the season with your loved ones without overspending. Sometimes, we create problems unknowingly because we just want to splurge during the holidays. Be practical. After all, Christmas means sharing your love with everyone and that is all that is important.