How to be a better Santa Claus every Christmas
Credit to Author: Ricky Publico| Date: Thu, 19 Dec 2019 16:42:21 +0000
Here’s a shocker: Santa Claus is real. It’s just that the real Santa doesn’t have a giant white beard and a magic sleigh driven by reindeers. In fact, Santa is not one single person.
The real Santa Claus are the ones working hard to make Christmas happen for their respective families. That means the Santa Claus in your family is probably you.
If you’re always in charge of planning holiday events inside and outside your home, then you are a Santa Claus. Congratulations! While giving gifts without breaking the bank can be overwhelming, it’s also not impossible. Here are some tips to become a money-savvy Santa Claus in any given Christmas. Gift away, Santa!
Plot your holiday plans early
Whether you like it or not, the holiday season is a big deal in the Philippines, so it’s best to plot your plans as early as August. For example, do you plan on going home to the province or just stay in the city? Those types of decisions will influence how you will shop for Christmas gifts. Discuss this with your family and encourage them to plan early as well.
Request wishlists from everyone
It doesn’t matter if they are a family member or coworker. Wishlists are important in order to avoid disappointing them and wasting money buying the wrong gift. Ask your loved one what they want as a gift so you can buy them early or place an order online right before the holiday rush. Never take a gamble when it comes to gifts — just get them exactly what they want.
Decide who will receive gifts
Because after all, you’re not really Santa Claus. You don’t have the time and the financial capacity to give everyone you know a gift, so you need to strike some people off your gift list. It’s also a lot easier for your wallet if you reserve your gifts to people you are actually close with. You can reserve some tokens for acquaintances and distant friends if you want.
Set a limit for every type of gift
After making a list and checking it twice, decide on a limit for every person on the list. For instance, reserve a bigger budget for children since they’re the only ones who will appreciate elaborate gifts. For the grownups, set your limit lower and buy them something they can actually use everyday. Not mugs and picture frames though, because those are boring gifts.
Go DIY if you have enough time
Now this may be a bit extreme, but if you somehow have enough time to make anything, capitalize on it this holiday season. Not only can you save money, you’ll have the chance to personalize your gifts. Whether they are crafts or baked goods, nothing beats handmade gifts made with love. You can even try and start a business from your original creations.
Get rid of gifts altogether
It sounds like throwing a Hail Mary, but getting rid of traditional gifts altogether isn’t exactly a bad idea. Why not treat them to a fancy feast or a grand vacation instead? Think about it: you won’t have to stress about what gifts to buy and you’ll give your loved ones a brand new Christmas experience. That’s a valuable gift you can’t buy in any 24/7 shopping mall.
The most important thing is that you don’t go broke shopping gifts for everyone. After all, the holidays isn’t just about the presents and parties, it’s about spending time with your loved ones. And as cheesy as it sounds, the sooner you understand that, the easier it is to become a better Santa Claus every year. Have a wonderful holiday for this year and beyond!
Ricky Publico is a content writer at Moneymax. Save money on car insurance, credit cards, and loans when you compare and apply at www.moneymax.ph. Visit its website to know more.