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Present
Planning for Kids – Ways to Save during the Festive Season (or
How to Have a Nice Christmas Without Going Broke)
By Melanie Homer
Yes,
I know ‘tis the season to be jolly’, but it can also be the
season of crippling debt. When it comes to your bank account,
the only red you want to be seeing this festive season is at the
end of Rudolph’s nose. Wouldn’t it be nice not to have to spend
the first - say - 11 months or so of the year recovering from
debts you ran up at Christmas?
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Nothing would make children
happier than having parents who are prepared to direct credit
all of their hard-earned cash to the toyshop. Show me a child
that isn’t materialistic and I’ll show you…well, actually I’ll
show you nothing, because they don’t exist. Just like Madonna,
kids are living in a material world. Presents, wrapping paper
and cards, for sons, daughters, nieces, nephews and friends can
place quite a strain on the family budget. Wrapping paper costs
can be easily addressed by using some of the copious amounts of
artwork your children bring home from school or kindy. With
some sensible planning, creativity, and maybe, if you’re game,
the odd spot of re-gifting, you can get through Christmas
without having to take out a second mortgage on your home.
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Shopping – plan, plan, plan!
Just like Santa you should be making a list
and checking it twice. Write down all of the children you have
to buy presents for, and then add a few extra as you’re bound to
have forgotten someone. Unfortunately, to be completely on top
of Christmas this year, you should have made that list on
Boxing Day last year.
That way you could have done all
of your Christmas shopping during the post Christmas sales.
However, there is something a little scary about being quite
that organised. It’s the sort of thing that Desperate Housewife Bree Van der Kamp would do. Not to worry, though, if the thought
of elbowing your way to a bargain with a stomach still full of
Christmas pud is too much to bear. Somewhere in New Zealand
there is a sale on every two minutes. Or so it seems. Make
sure to keep your list handy and check off the names as you find
appropriate gifts.
It’s
also important to remember where you hide said gifts when you
return home. I am still waiting for the present my Nanna gave
to me in 1975 that my mother hid away ‘somewhere safe’.
Don’t overlook the damaged goods bins in
shops as quite often it’s just the packaging that’s damaged and
the toy is in fine condition. Buying in bulk can also prove
economical – a two-car set becomes a one-car set, or a six-pack
of plastic mugs can be split up and filled with mini biscuits,
sweets, pens and pencils. $2 shops are wonderful places to buy
in bulk.
Budget Gifts to Make For and With Children
Nothing says ‘from
the heart’ like the specially created artistic stylings of our
own offspring. The mug with the wonky handle and the message ‘I
luv yu Mum’ takes pride of place in many a cupboard around New
Zealand. Making presents gives children a real sense of pride
and helps to remind them that Christmas is also about giving,
not just receiving. It has the additional bonus of keeping you
on track for a budget-friendly Christmas.
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Make playdough and package with some plastic
shape cutters.
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Use your computer to make a book for your
child. When my second son was born my mother created a
personalised photo story for my oldest son, then two-and-a-half
years old. It was a simple story about the everyday things that
he did with his Grandparents – going to the swings, helping bath
little brother Finn, eating an iceblock. Mum laminated the
pages for durability and bound it together. It’s a good thing
she did because both boys, now aged three and six absolutely
love this book featuring their favourite characters –
themselves. You could also use your computer to make
personalised stationery or notepads for your child.
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Give a gift that keeps on growing.
Sunflower seedlings are great for children as they grow very
quickly and are hard to kill. They could be presented in a
decorated personalised pot.
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Buy some cheap books and blank cassettes and
create your own talking book. This is a really nice idea for
out-of-town grandparents to make for their grandchildren.
They’ll love to hear the sound of your voice. Remember to tell
the child when to turn the page and don’t forget to say “The
end”!
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Create a video night gift pack –
include a video rental coupon, some popcorn and sweets.
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Children and parents could each paint
a small canvas (readily available from most dollar-saver stores)
The finished artwork would make excellent presents for
grandparents and look great grouped together on a wall. Try
limiting colour choice for a more cohesive look.
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Create vouchers and certificates.
What parent wouldn’t be happy with the thought of free
car-washing for a month.
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Older
children could mix an individual music or photo CD.
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There are hundreds
of websites dedicated to gifts and crafts that children can
make. Chocolate spoons, beaded key chains, Lego picture frames
– there is something age appropriate for every child. See below
for useful links.
Re-gifting
So, so far so good. Your kids have made some
presents, you’ve made some presents and bargain shopped
with the best of them. There is just one more skill you need to
learn to survive Christmas without falling into its financial
black hole. The art of re-gifting. Some might hesitate at the
thought of handing on a present you’ve received to someone else,
but what’s really worse – passing on an unwanted or duplicate
gift to someone who will truly appreciate it, or flogging it for
cold hard cash on Trade Me?
Obviously you can only re-gift new items.
It’s not the same as giving away stuff you don’t want. Barbie
with a ‘special’ haircut and a ballpoint tattoo is not an
appropriate Christmas gift. There are certain rules you must
follow.
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Do
re-gift thoughtfully. It has to be a present that you would
genuinely buy for the person. Great Aunt Martha won’t
appreciate “It’s a Wiggly Christmas” on DVD.
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Do
remember who gave it to you.
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Don’t
re-gift it back to them.
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Do
update the wrapping paper, and don’t forget to take the original
card off!
The art of re-gifting. Some might hesitate at the thought of
handing on a present you’ve received to someone else, but what’s
really worse – passing on an unwanted or duplicate gift to
someone who will truly appreciate it, or flogging it for cold
hard cash on Trade Me?
Hopefully by now you should feel able
to grasp the reindeer by the antlers and meet the challenge of a
financially workable festive season.
May you have a merry fiscal Christmas. And a
debt-free New Year.
Useful links
www.amazingmoms.com - gift making ideas
www.kidsdomain.com - gift making and DIY craft kits (sewing,
woodworking and puppet making)
www.dltk-kids.com - Printable craft ideas, personalised
greeting cards, starch arts and educational games for kids.
www.easy-kids-recipes.com - Playdough, slime, bubble mix and
other great recipes kids will love. |