posted 17 hours ago
Apparently, the average Canadian is expected to spend somewhere between $1500- $2300 on Christmas and the holiday season this year. Gifts, decorations, meals, etc.
I never approach $2000, but it's certainly still a more expensive time of year. Gifts are usually my biggest expense, though last year buying Christmas lights and a timer was $$ too!
My personal challenge for this year is to spend $0 extra.
Admittedly, the goal is to help me spend less, while I continue to save up for a big gift to me from me (a dishwasher) in the new year.
My plan is to use food and items I already own plus loyalty rewards money to make Christmas cost $0 to me this year.
My plans:
- No new decor (unless I make it)
- Using existing reusable gift bags, and other leftover wrapping.
- as usual, Christmas dinner will be as many veggies from my garden as possible, lots of butter, a roast, and a dessert - the roast and whipping cream can be easily covered by grocery store rewards.
Gift ideas:
- Gifts to 3 people on my list, bought using reward money
- A watercolour of someone's house using paper and paints I already own.
- Food gifts (homemade candy and homemade freezer desserts ) using ingredients I have on hand like the 10L of maple syrup from the spring, and the fruit I have frozen, plus likely buying some butter, nuts, and chocolate for candy making using grocery store rewards.
- Rehabbing an antique cast iron pan for a friend who wants one
- Homemade grapevine wreaths and/or more candy for a few family/friends I usually exchange little gifts with
Anyone else targetting a low/no spend Christmas? What are your strategies?
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