Christmas Giving

                Just want to say Merry Christmas from the family of Suzie Homemaker. What did you do this year for Christmas? Did you travel, stay at home with the family or just visit the in-laws? Did you go to some stores and donate money into a kettle of the people ringing bells? This year our family did something different, we decided to donate to an actual cause in our local community and the world. Just because this blog is about saving money does not mean we do not give back to people in need. So this Christmas I want to ask you what you did to give back to your community? Did you help out at a soup kitchen and help serve meals or did you just give some needy family a Christmas gift? Whatever you do is a choice to be made by you and your family. I want to tell you how we helped a local organization that can really use some help not just at Christmas but all year round.

                This year we gave to two causes, the first being Special Olympics. We found this organization to be so inspiring that we had a group effort with this cause. We raised $2500 dollars for Special Olympics. These kids deserve to compete in these games and be rewarded for their efforts. Just the look on their faces when they get their medals is reward enough for our group. My husband gave his time to council several people and all the proceeds went straight to Special Olympics. They sent us several pictures of the kids competing and with their medals.

                The second cause we gave to personally was a local organization called Reach Counseling. I advise everybody to look this organization up and look at all the things they offer. This company helps people who have been abused. They also help the offenders get their lives back on track after they get out of jail. We were told the money we donated helped a single mother of two buy a Christmas tree, some presents, and a Christmas dinner. The rest of the money will be given in gas cards and for groceries. My husband is also going to give his time to help start a class for people who have money issues because of all these problems. After tax season (my Husband is a tax professional) he will help people get back on their feet after abuse.

                Christmas is not just about getting presents, why not show your children and grandchildren how to give back to their community. This is a lesson every child should learn from little on through adulthood. This Christmas was special because we saw how we could help so many different people by giving of our time and a little money. Merry Christmas from the Family of Suzie Homemaker.

Christmas Holiday Giving

It is almost Christmas! Where has this year gone? We have less than 14 days until Christmas. Do you have all your shopping done yet? Am I scaring you yet? Christmas is a busy time of year for everybody and the most expensive time of the year. So today I thought I would give you some alternatives to spending way too much money on Christmas gifts. Do you really have to spend a lot of money, to make everybody happy at Christmas time? I would hope the answer would be no.

We as a family decided that Christmas is not about what we get or how much we spend that counts. So Christmas is a little different but still just as rewarding as any other holiday. We decided not to spend over $50 on a Christmas tree that is only up for about 3 weeks. We use our fern as our Christmas tree and we put lights, candy canes, bows, and a lighted angel near the bottom of the tree. This has been our Christmas tree for the last 3 years and everybody loves it. It still looks special decorated up each year. My youngest daughter likes to decorate so we spent an afternoon putting up lights and decorations around the whole house. No Christmas tree expense saves a lot of money each year.

Gift Giving

This is where the money goes really quickly if you do not watch what you spend. My children are a little older so they know how much mom and dad are willing to spend. Learning to be a little more frugal and spending less will not make Christmas any different. Our children just want to spend time with family and friends. Our children don’t want a lot of stuff they cannot use, they want quality time spent together as a family. We have a Christmas meal at the in-laws and visit with the cousins.

Last year my husband’s parents gave a unique gift to everybody, instead of getting something you did not want or need she gave each person a cookbook that everybody liked and a gift card.  This was simple easy with no complaints from anybody, and no gift returns necessary. Everyone got a gift they could use and wanted. Ask people what they want or get a gift list from everybody. Keep it simple and set a price limit so nobody goes overboard.

Another great way to give is by checking out your local homeless shelter or united way. We as a family use gifts from the past that are not being used or wanted anymore and pack them up for a much-needed family in our community. Clothes, toys, blankets, and even food are much appreciated by these families. Christmas is a time for giving, so why not help out a family in need of a little Christmas cheer.

If you are religious, go see a Christmas program done by the little kids. Just listening to them singing all those Christmas songs will put you in the Christmas spirit. Join a choir or group and go Christmas caroling to nursing homes or around your town. Giving your time and your voice will brighten and cheer up their day.  Check if you can do some bell ringing at a store to help the less fortunate.

As you have seen my oldest daughter makes all of her own Christmas gifts to save money. Here are a few more things she made. All her projects she made cost under $6 dollars a piece.

Quality Time Spent Together

When I was growing up, around Christmas it was a time for Christmas TV shows. Every year we looked forward to Frosty the Snowman, Rouduff The Red Nose Reindeer, and A Charlie Brown Christmas. As I grew up watching the black and white version of Scrooge and A Christmas Carol were some of my favorites.  A new favorite of mine is the movie called Christmas Shoes. This movie shows the real meaning of Christmas, plus there is a song called Christmas Shoes. I recommend watching this movie and listening to this song, it will make you cry and learn the real meaning of Christmas. My mother used to make a Birthday cake for Jesus to celebrate his birth.

Making Christmas special doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. Why have all those bills to worry about, start your own holiday traditions and make it special in your own way!. Merry Christmas from Suzie Homemaker.