Have a Happy Recessionary Holiday!

Johnnie Grant – Holiday Shopper Extraordinaire (in recovery!)

By Johnnie Grant

This is the time of year people go over the top. In a faltering economy here are ways to make the holidays meaningful without breaking the bank. Have an affordable holiday season!

Those “Shop-’til-You-Drop Holiday Moments!”

Now then, let’s see… what to get mom and dad, the wife, the husband, the boyfriend, the girlfriend, and the new bride? Oh – yeah, the mother-in-law (who has everything), the daughter or son in-law, the in-laws, the out-laws, the wife-in-law (ex-wife), the kids, the step-kids, the bridge-kids, the adopted kids, and the exchange student staying with you – (don’t want them to feel left out or unwanted)! The nieces and nephews, the grands, the great-grand(s), and grandmother(s). The babysitter, cat-sitter, dog-sitter, the fish and gerbil-sitter. Aunt Lucy, Uncle Tim (who helped raise you), the god-mother, the god-father, the good Reverend, AND your boss… (You NEED that raise!).

Plus, the neighbor who gets your mail when you are out of town or on
vacation – because they will talk and tell everyone in the neighborhood
your business! What about the family member(s) that don’t even
celebrate the holiday, but will be there to see what everyone else got?

For years, I played to this recurring nightmare. The countdown
begins, and I haven’t started purchasing gifts for family, relatives,
and friends. It’s three months before Christmas, (I start shopping the
month of August), on your mark, get set – go! But wait… Now it’s the
11th hour, and I’m throwing caution to the wind, buying overpriced,
impersonal gifts as my panic rises. I’ve shipped, bused, mailed,
trucked, and driven holiday gifts (especially food and seafood) to
family, relatives, and friends. Plus, bought more gifts during the
drive! The children made “bur-holes” for a place to sit, and rode for
ten hours cramped in a vehicle filled with even MORE gifts – the ones
for other unexpected family members we forgot to add to the list! You
know – the ones that show up empty-handed? Don’t want to leave anyone
out, right? Because we LOVE them so!

Are You Zoned-Out?

If I were a licensed psychologist, I’d set up shop in the
middle of malls and stores just waiting for all the overwhelmed,
stressed out, zoned-out people who need help with their holiday
shopping woes. I would listen to all the buying tales, aggravation,
stress, and depression shopping mantras. Given what a shrink charges
hourly, I would be wealthy! Cha-ching! Rich enough to afford all the
gifts I need to give.

Are You in Control?

Because I was not in control of my money and my mind,
Christmas put me “out there.” You’re giving “big-box” items to people
who should be BUYING these items for themselves: microwaves,
televisions, stoves, refrigerators, pots-n-pans, telephones, and the
like! And, as I’m wrapping these presents (those that can be wrapped),
I don’t feel good about them! How could I, knowing what their
consequences will be, and how little REAL intimacy they reflect? Was
this out-of-control? Did we go over the top? Duh – yeah!

Have you been there too? Call it family tradition, seasonal
tradition, or your reason for the season: the morals of gift-giving
angst are not about generosity, but about projecting an image.

So what could be some alternatives to the great Christmas
bingeing? Having been there-done that, I’ve got some great holiday
ideas for you!

Be Reasonable.

Understand the True Meaning of the Holiday – and Plan!

1. Arrest the Stress – Be Centsable!

Plan to spend only what you have saved for this holiday
occasion, and no putting yourself last. No stressing over what you did
or didn’t buy for whom. This way when January comes around, you won’t
have to forgo those eye contacts, medications, or dental work you need
because your gift-buying put you in hock! The pawn shops are filled
with treasured memories. Remember – there is life AFTER the holidays!

2. Go Potluck!

Adults and Elders.

Before the Christmas holiday, plan a potluck dinner. Everyone
can help plan who will bring what, right down to the throwaway
disposable dishes and cleanup! Ideally, it’s great to plan during the
summer months so the event will not be overwhelming for participants,
especially for those out-of-town travelers.

Spending quality time with loved ones is always a welcomed
change from the hectic holiday season, and a good way to relax. This is
also a great opportunity to share family histories and stories, welcome
new family members, and exchange prized family recipes.

You can also take this time to plan for other family events such
as reunions, weddings, cultural events, birthdays, or other group
festivities. This will allow families to spend quality time with their
immediate loved ones during the holidays.

The cost? Cheap. A few hours to share with family and relatives? Priceless!

3. Expectant and New Mothers Infants and Growing Toddlers

Have a “Merry Milkmaids Holiday Party” for young and expectant
mothers. Gather all the baby shower presents you haven’t used; the
hand-knitted booties, unused baby strollers, and baby Santa Suits. Turn
them into family heirlooms, and share them with other family members.
That way you can enjoy them longer knowing a special someone can wear
or use them. Coupons for milk, diaper, baby food, and other things? (I
have a friend who owns a coupon clipping service – just let me know!)
Bag them up to share, and take them to the “Merry Milkmaids Holiday
Party for Moms!”

4. Kindergarteners and Young Adolescents

Let the fun began!

It’s PLAYTIME! And play you shall! All children love playtime
and holidays. Remember the Potluck? Did anyone think to pass the hat
for pocket change, or a few dollar bills so all the children can go to
an inside entertainment center for the holiday? Collectively, you
should have gathered enough funds for tokens, pizza, and beverages for
all. Let them PLAY ‘till they PLOP! Volunteer to be a chaperone (target
the adults with mini-vans) and allow responsible teens in the family to
chaperone – and you’ll have fun too!

5. “Tween” and Teen Ideas

Buying for t(w)eens can be difficult; I’ve been there and broke the bank!

Here is a great rule of thumb: I have found that every young
person loves a gift that focuses on their growing independence and
skills while promising a good time. Think back to the people who made
the biggest impression and impact on you as a teenager. What attracted
you to them? What made them unique? Was it that special way they made
you feel, as if they understood that you were not a child anymore, but
almost an adult? Was it the respect and the time together?

Try this: For the Females and Males T(w)eens

Make some coupons for free makeovers. Arrange a time for all the
family teens and some close friends, and have a grooming and/or makeup
session. (This can be planned at the potluck too.) Schedule some time
with a makeup artist at your home or at a local department store
(usually free). Introduce the kids to new styles and brands of makeup,
grooming ideas and toiletries.

For guys, teach them about eyebrow, underarm, facial hair care,
back hair, facial treatments, and cologne selection. Finish things out
with a new haircut or style they like. Allow them to thumb through some
magazines ahead of time and select several styles they think might
bring out their best qualities. Bring these along as inspiration for
your teen gifts, but be flexible.

End the day with a planned dinner, party or other outing where
you can present the new look to family and friends. Also helps them to
start the New Year off with a fresh new perspective!

Now I think that covers everybody. Spend wisely – and make it an Affordable Recessionary Holiday Season!