Six foolproof tips

Christmas is a time for joy and celebration. Snow on the ground, Julmust “Swedish Christmas cola” in the shops and twinkling lights in the windows. This is also a time when people feel good about themselves, the world in general and others. This is why you feel compelled to buy gifts for all your children, friends and relatives, throw parties and buy new things for yourself and your home. It’s amazing how the current world financial problems disappear when faced with a beautiful, new ipod phone.

However, the result on your finances is often disastrous.

It takes months to clear all the debts incurred for Christmas and by then you would really be convinced that none of it is worth the trouble. Ironically, when the next Christmas comes, you would do everything all over again. You simply cannot help it.

1. No credit card shopping -
   How does your budget spiral out of control? Because you use plastic money, which does not really show the debt adding up. You only see the beautiful gifts and the pleasure your friends, children and relatives express when they open them. The statement arrives the following month, and by then you would be neck deep in debt. Use debit cards or cash when you make your purchases. This way, you will know when you have reached the bottom of your wallet/ purse, making it easier to contain your impulse to buy gifts for everyone you know.
   
   
2. Set a limit on the number of items you buy for children -
   Check what all relatives are buying so that no-one goes overboard and it’s a good idea to pre-warn children that they won’t be receiving lots of gifts this year. My daughter approached me with the toy catalogue and said” I would like, this” and pointed at an item “and this” and pointed at another item, “and this”. I looked at her and said “darling, this year you can only have one item”. She looked at me and then said“Ok...then I’ll have one of these, one of these and one of these”.
   
   
3. Look beyond the high street shops -
   You can find bargains online on sites like blocket.se or annonsera.se. Bargains can also be found in second-hand stores and shops like Röda korset. Furthermore, if you feel like bidding for that special something, use sites like tradera.se but set a budget before hand and stick to it.  See the quote at the top.
   
   There are also a million and one gifts that you could make at home for your friends and relatives, which would be more precious and heart-warming than presents you bought ready-made from a shop. Some examples are hand knitted jumpers (in a modern style), hand painted pictures and home-baked cakes that bring joy and show how much you care. This costs less, but would be held dearer by those who receive them due to the personal touch.
   
   
4. Start early -
   Christmas shopping need not start in December. You can start buying gifts for your dear ones from August-September or even earlier than that. By a few gifts every month and you will have your list completed without the need of overspending during Christmas. Alternatively, put a certain amount aside each month for Christmas. Either way, you would be saved from the financial stress people usually face during this month.
   
   
5. Something better than gifts -
   instead of spending on the gifts, why not throw a party and have some great fun together with your family and friends. The coming together, sharing photographs and good old-fashioned board games would always be more memorable than gifts.
   
   
6. Exchange gifts and have fun -
   get your friends together at a party where everybody contributes something. Ask each one of them to purchase a gift (fix a cost range, say within 50-100kr) and have them numbered and put in a large box. Write the numbers on small pieces of paper and ask all present to draw one. Offer that person whatever gift corresponds to that number. This is a fun way to enjoy gifts, without burning a hole in your pocket.

Nevertheless, if you feel you really want to give someone something special and you don’t want to stretch the budget, try giving something from your home that you no longer want or need. Just clean it and wrap it in some decorative paper and hope that the recipient doesn’t recognize it.

Nah.

You wouldn’t do that.



Would you?


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