Saving This Christmas

We had 36 Trick or Treaters here this year, down quite a few from the year before. I expected more as it was both Friday night and it was not raining  - obviously I overbought candy.  Next year, I am buying for 40 and if we run out - lights out.  I hung the skeleton that we found last year at a garage sale for $2(below) on the front door below my fall wreath.  He has a motion sensor,  talks to you and sticks out his tongue when someone comes to the door.  The kids loved it.  

So now that it is November my thoughts have turned to Christmas.  We are not going to be travelling like we originally planned and will have to decide within a week exactly what we are doing with our flights to Alberta as they must be changed. Our original plans to go to Mexico have been shelved as my Stepdaughter who is living with us now is still in school at that time.  Things are a bit up in the air right now, hopefully to be sorted out soon.  


The second Halloween was over I received emails about doing Christmas shopping from various retailers.  Our Christmas money has been saved already(I start saving January 1 each year) so now I just have to make a plan as to what to buy for our family.  We give part cash and small gift to each of the kids as they are older now and much harder to shop for.  Instead of hubby and I buying each other a gift this year we have decided to get a dog, which likely will happen closer to January based on having to acquire a non-allergenic dog due to hubbies allergies.  There are zero rescue dogs here with those qualities so we are in the process of researching our best options.  

I mentioned it briefly last month but I am reviving the "No More Christmas Crap" campaign once again for the Christmas Season.  

No More Christmas Crap Campaign

Before you jump to conclusions and think I am rather Scrooge-like read further (this is a reprint from my post last year).  This Campaign is about having a wonderful Christmas by not spending anything more than you need to.  

Recycled wrappings saved throughout the year

The Guidelines:


1. Save your money strictly for gifts and food items for the Christmas entertaining season. This also means if you want to buy Christmas crap for another person as a gift - it is permitted. If you make gifts you would be permitted to buy supplies under this guideline.


2. If you feel you must buy some Christmas decorations - they should be obtained free by way of Freecycle, nature, family, or purchased second hand at garage sales or thrift stores to pay a fraction of retail cost. Our local thrift stores have a great selection of decorations, lights, and even Christmas bows, wrapping and bags. Nature is also a great supplier - leaves, branches, shells, driftwood, get your CREATIVE on. 

3. After Christmas each year recycle wrappings, bows, baubles, baskets, and ribbons for use the following year. Re-make Christmas cards into gift tags. Re-use all gift bags. Obviously if this is your first year you will have to plan to do this-although you still have a couple months to save up. Throughout the year save ribbon, packing materials, boxes, wrapping paper and bags for use.  If you are consciously thinking ahead on saving these items, you will be surprised at what you end up with at the end of the year. On your first year of the campaign try and use up what you have - or buy at thrift stores.


4. You are permitted to attend Christmas related functions - even when they cost money. Try and limit the cost to only what the actual cost is to attend. Rather than running out to buy a new outfit for the Christmas Party use what you already have, borrow something from a friend or family member, or buy it second hand at a thrift store or consignment store. Save your money for the important stuff!


5. If you just completely fall in love with something Christmas related - make it known to those who are buying you gifts as receiving Christmas crap as a gift is allowed.

6. The Out. If one hopes of complying with this campaign there has to be at least one GET OUT OF JAIL FREE card. If you must - you are permitted to buy one single new item valued at less than $15 CAD. In years past I have purchased holiday themed paper napkins as had a very large family to feed and don't have enough cloth napkins. This might also include a package of reduced wrapping paper after Christmas for next year's campaign or that special something handmade off of ETSY.

This year I have already used my Out - the cute little owl ornament purchased new a few weeks ago for $5.


Those are the rough guidelines - feel free to amend them to your lifestyle as you see fit.  If you have already spent money one items, don't worry about it - start from today. You will be amazed at how much you save just by not buying wrapping paper!

So what do you say, are you joining the no more Christmas Crap Campaign?