There’s nothing worse than getting to the holidays and realizing you can’t afford them at all. If that’s you, not to worry. In today’s quick tip episode I’m offering a few ideas to help you make the holidays special for your family without spending any money. Sound like something you need? Well then, let’s get started.
Links for This Episode
- Check out these DIY Resources and Templates
- Download your FREE Family Budget Worksheet
- Join the Financial Fix Up Membership
Podcast Episode Recommendations
- #30: How to Create and Stick to a Holiday Budget
- #22: 5 Ways to Stretch the Grocery Budget This Month
- #4: How to Cope When Your Income Doesn’t Cover Your Necessities
- #3: How to Create the Ideal Family Budget for Your Family
- #2: So You’ve Hit Rock Bottom, Now What?
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So You Can’t Afford Christmas This Year, Now What?
Well hey there and welcome to another episode of the Financial Fix Up Podcast. I’m your host, Sarah Brumley, and today’s episode comes directly as an answer to a question I received from a listener. She asked that I not name her, but she said, “Hey Sarah, I love your podcast and I’m trying to implement all of your budgeting tips for my family. My biggest struggle right now is that we really can’t afford Christmas gifts this year. We are still paying off last year’s Christmas and our credit cards are completely maxed out. My husband lost his job partway through the year and even though he has a new one, we are still barely making ends meet. There is no extra money. We have three kids ages 10, 5, and 4 and my question is: How do you tell your kids you can’t have Christmas? Or that they won’t get gifts? Do you have any suggestions that might help me?”
So, dear listener, I do have some suggestions to offer. And I want you to know that even if you can’t spend money this season as you would have traditionally, you absolutely CAN still have a meaningful and joyful Christmas season for your family.
Inside Your Home #1: Be Honest
The first thing I recommend doing is being honest, and obviously that’s top of mind with the question that was asked, but sometimes I think we wait too long to clue our kids in that things are tight or that we need to wait to do something that costs money. Trust me, I’m guilty of this as well, but I think the more we include our kids in our financial conversations – both good and bad – the better off they will be in the long term as they begin to manage their own finances and just as you navigate things as a family. Financial conversations are something that can be hard for people to have, especially when things aren’t going well, but I think it’s important that we normalize the fact that it’s not always perfect, okay?
So be honest.
In this case, I’d start the conversation about Christmas as early as possible. Because kids get their hopes up. Let’s not give them false hope, right? Let your kiddos know – in words that they can understand – that you don’t have the funds to do the same things you’ve done in years past. You can simply say that because money is tight this year, Christmas is going to look a little different. We’re still going to have a really fun time, but we are going to change some things up. Something along those lines can help you convey that it’s not going to look the same, but also not make it something they are going to dread.
Because the truth is that there are lots of things you can do that will make it fun and enjoyable for everyone.
Inside Your Home #2: Consider Alternatives
As part of that honesty piece, my second recommendation is to consider some alternatives to spending money that you’ll offer to your family.
Create Homemade Gifts
Look around your home and think of craft items, baking items, anything along those lines that you could use to make homemade gifts. This could be a family activity or each person could be tasked with creating their own gifts for the family using items they already have. You might even consider repurposing items that are no longer used by one family member so that another family member can have a gift.
One year my daughter drew everyone a picture of them with her. She spent an entire month working on those gifts for family members and they were (and still are) treasured in our home. In fact, down the line we were able to go to the thrift store and get some frames for them.
My other daughter spent another Christmas making beaded bracelets for the family. She had all of the supplies already and it was her creative way of making sure everyone received a gift.
So, that’s something to consider.
Gift of Time or Service
Another thing you could consider is the gift of time or service. For example, you could create coupons for experiences like movie nights at home, baking days or game nights. You might also think about things like cleaning, babysitting, or cooking a special meal. Maybe as a parent you give a couple “don’t have to do my chores today” coupons or “get to pick my favorite meal for dinner” coupons. Even “free hug” coupons are a big hit. Kids love those, trust me!
DIY Christmas Decorations
If decorations are a problem, you might consider making your own. Who doesn’t like paper snowflakes, pine cone ornaments or popcorn garlands? Not only can that be a great way to spend time together, but you’ll have a festive home to show for it and a fun memory to talk about in the future. Who knows, maybe it’ll become a family tradition.
10 Movie Nights of Christmas
Speaking of traditions, why not do something like a 10 movie nights of Christmas where each family gets to alternate picking a movie to watch? You can borrow from the library (so no money spent there!) and everyone can snuggle up together. When my girls were young we had movie dinner nights. So, rather than spending more money for treats and popcorn, we cooked dinner as usual and then ate it while we watched. Because we didn’t do it often, it was a really special and fun time together as a family.
Of course those are just a few ideas to get you thinking, but it is possible to have a fun time without having to spend money to do so. It just takes communication and a little thinking outside of the box. Additionally, if you already have traditions in your home, focus on those. Things like decorating the tree or setting out the manger scene or even baking cookies if you have the ingredients can be fun experiences that don’t require you to spend additional money.
Outside Your Home #1: Be Honest
Now, there’s another part of this and that’s the outside the home part. Once again, you need to be honest. If you can’t afford to bring a dish to that potluck meal, say so. If you aren’t buying gifts for your family, others aren’t receiving gifts either. Be honest. Money is tight and you are making the right choice not to spend money you don’t have this year. If someone around you doesn’t understand that, that’s on them. Okay? It might sound harsh, but it’s true. And make sure you subscribe to the podcast if you haven’t already because I’ve got an episode coming on that very topic this week and you won’t want to miss it!
Outside Your Home #2: Consider Assistance Programs
Another thing to consider is that there are assistance programs out there around the holidays, specifically programs aimed to help families with kids at home that can’t afford to give them gifts. Schools, churches, and other local non-profits are good sources of these programs. In fact, if you are part of a church, I’d recommend speaking to your pastor or someone on the office staff to ask if that’s something they offer. Likewise, if you have kids in school, check with their teacher or someone on the school staff to see what might be available. If that’s not an option, I’d recommend searching “free gifts for kids” in your city and state to see what might be available.
In our area there are a lot of different programs and some of them even offer one-time food vouchers for adults as well, so that might be another thing to consider. Of course, each program has their own requirements, so make sure you know what those are before you show up on the day of the distribution.
Can’t Afford Christmas? Now What?
So, there you have it. Just a few thoughts for you as to what to do now that you’ve determined you can’t afford Christmas. Remember, you aren’t alone and it’s actually a GOOD thing that you’ve come to this realization BEFORE you end up in more financial trouble. I really am applauding you on that!
I’m also including a few additional podcast episodes and resources in the show notes in case you need a little extra boost as you work your way from ground zero toward your version of financial freedom. It’s not always easy, but these hard seasons will pass and future you will be so thankful you made the effort now. So hang in there and know that I’m cheering you on!
You’ve got this! Have an amazing day and I’ll chat with you again next time!
