There are eight weekends left before Christmas. If you haven't started already, you need to get thinking about how you're going to afford the bill for the biggest spending spree of the year.
Avia Ustanny, Freelance Writer
THE ADVERTISEMENTS started rolling out as early as the beginning of October, beckoning consumers to start the Yuletide splurge and before the season is over merchants will be partying their way to the bank. And with good reason.
Last Christmas season there was about $25 billion in circulation with some merchants claiming that revenue had shot up by more than 20 per cent over the year before. Much of it was money that people did not have, as many shoppers "maxed out" their credit cards to buy gifts and clothes. In other cases people used their bonuses to go on a food, liquor, gift-buying and home improvement frenzy. With two months to go now is a good time to look at how you're going to stay out of the red this season or at least minimize the pain of debt payment in the new year.
Four tales of Christmas cash
1: Year round shopper
Nutritionist Dr. Heather Little-White has the formula for a no-pain Christmas down pat. She shops for gifts all year for family, friends and members of her staff, and makes some serious savings in the process. "If I see something nice, reasonable I buy it. By October I have a stock of things which I can mix and match and give people on my list. I save a lot," explains the New Kingston-based lifestyle specialist. "When you buy in December, everything is tripled in terms of price. I love to browse and I usually pat myself on the back when I see what I have come up with. Sometimes you find one-off gifts which are great. I will also give a cake, or make sorrel and chutney. They are always appreciated. That's the joy of giving. It's -- for me --
a spiritual experience."
2: Cost no object
Elizabeth Patterson holds a Christmas dinner in Mandeville every year, cost no object. Her only concern is that the menu is not repeated, as her guests should not find themselves eating the same goodies as the year before. The marketing executive who has a gift list 25 names long spends upwards of $80,000 each year on gifts and her annual dinner. "I ought to be able to wrap up a key ring and give it as a gift. After all, it is the thought that counts," she notes. "I find it difficult to do that though because I hate, really would hate it, if people throw my gift into the bin. I make an effort to find the special things that will match each person's personality." She also confesses to being a last minute shopper who
doesn't "have the time to find bargains."
3: She's got it bad
Lorna Campbell never seems to learn. The high school teacher says every year she vows not to be sunk by Christmas debt, but after each season a trail of red follows her into the new year.
"I know it's a good idea to save all year long for Christmas but, to tell the truth, by the time I finish paying off for last year, this year is on top of me again, so the cycle is repeated." Campbell adds that in addition to her husband and two children she feels compelled to buy presents for family members, people in her church as well as a 'bills' or two for the postman. Plus, Christmas dinner is always at her home, meaning she bears the brunt of the financial burden. "I mean, the whole season is about giving and buying. I dont know how to get away from it."
4. Songs of joy, on very little cash
We cannot tell you what Sonia Ffolkes pays to stage her annual carolling party on the third or second Sunday in December. But, suffice it to say it is scandalously low. The annual party is low on cost but high on camaraderie and as many as 220 voices are usually lifted in praise. Along with her husband, Mrs. Ffolkes has maintained the tradition for 14 years in the simple but beautifully decorated setting of her Stony Hill, St. Andrew, home. "People really come for the carolling, they do not come to be wined. We avoid the commercialism of gift giving and spending."
Her home, she says, is not refurbished for the season.
"I am not into this decorating for Christmas nonsense," says the self-employed woman who adds that she has never recieved a Christmas bonus. "People who decorate at Christmas use their bonus. I can't keep up."
Get great gifts
and save money
HOW ARE YOU GOING
TO PAY FOR CHRISTMAS?
You've still got eight weeks to go, so consider putting away some cash if you can manage it. For example, if you normally buy lunch, brown bag it, or sacrifice eating out over the next month or so. Put the cash you save towards Christmas expenses.
When shopping for gifts, avoid the lazy lure of the gift basket. That lovely thing is often overpriced. If you must give goody baskets make them up yourself. Better yet, just gift wrap the items. Who needs a basket anyway?
Put some thought into gift giving, do not go out and pick up just any, wrap each gift individually and include some kind words. This will ensure the gift is welcome, no matter how "small" it is.
If you have a large family set up the office pixie system of gift-giving. Put the names in a hat and pick one name each. That way you buy one gift, instead of 25, for example, and each person gets a gift. You may also want to decide on a price range.
Leave your ego and your credit card at home. An impressive gift may make you seasonal friends, but will leave you in debt. Stick to what you can afford.
Give yourself time to hunt for bargains. Last minute shopping involves taking whatever you can get and at a higher price
For parties and other get togethers, make use of your contacts. Marjorie Blake (name changed ) says that for her low budget Christmas function she makes use of a part hireage service in the family, getting all the chairs, crockery, cutlery, table cloth she needs. There are also always lots of light in the trees, courtesy of her sister.
You need to know what
individuals want, and fill that gap. Avoid wasting money on gifts they will throw away.
Go to garage, close out sales, moving sales. On a Sunday the moving sales are quite good, with good crystal pieces available at affordable prices. Gift certificates are useful, they allow people to get what they truly want.
Tell everyone to bring a pan or bowl of goodies to the party. Or, divvy up the grocery list for the Christmas dinner and apportion a few items to each section of the extended family.
Avoid girlfriends (guy-friends too) who only come out of the woodwork at Christmas. They mean you no good.
"Yesterday I dared to struggle.
Today I dare to win." ....Bernadette Devlin
