Holidays During the Pandemic: Holidays on a budget #FinanceFriday

Happy Friday, everyone! It’s the last Friday of the month and that only means one thing… December is just right around the corner! Crazy, innit? This year just flew by so fast and we’re already approaching the last month of the year! We’re now heading full speed into the holiday season and I bet most of you (US AS WELL!) have not gone gift shopping yet. It’s completely understandable! With the uncertainty this year has brought on, it’s no wonder most people have been holding off gift shopping until the last minute. To add to that, the pandemic has also brought on a lot of uncertainty around financial stability. Most of us are on our toes when it comes to our jobs because of the amount of businesses closing and workers getting laid off. So, we try to hold on to our hard-earned money as much as we can in case anything happens. The holiday season is supposed to be a season of sharing and merriment, but we can’t help but worry about the financial strife this season will bring, considering it is a whoooole lot different this year. So, check out our list down below and find out how WE can survive the holidays on a budget!

1. Do not spend money on gifts

Yup! You absolutely read that right! Do not spend money! I know Christmas is supposed to be about giving and sharing, but if you’re in a financial rut or are just cautious about how you spend your money, you do not have to spend. at. all. To be completely honest with you, this is the first time in a long time that I’ll be buying gifts for Christmas. For the past few years, I’ve been struggling financially, and I am not ashamed to tell you that. I know there is some sort of stigma when talking about finances. But after all, this is a Finance Friday post! Anyway, my first year of not giving out gifts, I felt extremely ashamed. I can’t even begin to tell you the shame and embarrassment I felt. I was broke. I had nothing. I’ve been receiving gifts, but I did not have anything to give back. Eventually, I got over it and I realized gifts don’t matter. The people who truly love and support you do not give a single sh*t if you don’t give them a present. They love you for you and your presence is enough of a gift for them. Presents are just physical representations. They’re material things that eventually break down; people will forget them. But you---people, won’t ever forget your presence, your actions. So, if someone makes you feel like sh*t for not giving them a present this Christmas, tell them “Go frick yourself!” because they ain't your real homies. Do not—I REPEAT—do not put your financial stability in trouble just to please others. The real ones will accept you and love you whether you give them a present or not.

2. Budget, budget, budget

Okay, so you have a few extra dollars to spend during the holiday season. You have a whole list you want to get for yourself and others but there’s only so much money you can spend. Tough situation. We’ve all been there (or rather we’re all here haha). Does anyone relate? It’s all about budgeting! Absolutely DO NOT SPEND OVER YOUR BUDGET. You’ll find yourself paying back that sh*t until September 2022 (learn from my mistakes). If you’ve got a Christmas list (if not, write them down!), go through it and list them from the most important to the least. This can vary. The top of your list might consist of things you absolutely want or Christmas essentials like a new Christmas tree to replace your 10-year-old one. But whatever the case, list by priority. Make sure you also list down the price and how much you are willing to spend. Calculate everything and adjust according to your budget. YOU DON’T HAVE TO GET EVERY. SINGLE. ONE on your list. I know it’s a bummer, but please spend responsibly.

3. Shop second-hand

I know what you’re thinking! Ew, giving second-hand gifts? That’s so ratchet! I know, I know. I have to admit, I’m still struggling at the thought of giving out second-hand gifts, but it actually isn’t that bad. It’s sustainable and environmentally responsible. There is a lot of cool stuff you can find at thrift stores—from books to vintage pieces to unopened, brand-spanking-new items! If you’re worried about your budget, but still want to give, second-hand gifts are the best option. Not only is it sustainable, but it allows you to find unique gifts for your loved ones that not every other person will have!

4, Find good deals and coupons

If you don’t want to give second-hand gifts a try, then the next best thing is to look for deals! During this time of year, there is an abundance of sales and discounts at every store! You just need a little bit of digging and comparing and going through the web to find the best deals, coupons, and discount codes! My favourite is probably Black Friday because the deals are so good and it’s far enough from Christmas that I can replenish my budget between this time and Christmas for some last-minute shopping.

5. Turn a blind eye on Christmas shopping

Last but not least (tying into my first point) and the most important! Just don’t spend at all. I know it sounds crazy. It’s Christmas! How can you not spend? If I’m being frank, Christmas has been extremely capitalized. People think it’s not Christmas when you don’t spend (whether it’s for Christmas decorations, holiday drinks, and treats, or presents). The truth is, Christmas isn’t only about spending money on unnecessary and seasonal objects. Is your house not looking so Christmassy? That is totally fine! Secondly, you can give without giving. It doesn’t have to be material stuff. You can offer your time and efforts. Maybe you can spend more time with your family or volunteer at a shelter. It doesn’t always have to involve money. The true essence of Christmas is in the heart. It’s about community. It’s about presence. It’s about spending time together. This is the most important lesson that I’ve learned through the years of celebrating Christmas while flat-out broke. People don’t remember or hold it against me that I didn’t give them presents 2 Christmases ago. They don’t. People only remember the moments they spent with you and how you went full-on crazy singing karaoke (this is me btw)!

I hope this post makes you feel seen and understood. I know the feeling of shame and guilt of not being able to give and celebrate Christmas “fully”. We’ve all been in this situation and as much as we want to be generous and go all out this holiday season, our financial capability can limit us to only so much especially this year. There is a lot of uncertainty and grief this holiday season and it’s not the same as the past few Christmases. More and more people are struggling to meet ends meet and are barely living paycheck-to-paycheck because of this global crisis. It’s a harsh reality. We’re not all lucky. For those of you who are, spend wisely and save strictly. For those of us who aren’t so lucky, there’s honestly so much to be thankful for so don’t lose hope! If there’s one thing that the holidays are all about, it’s hope.