I’m heading for a broke festive season, but for some reason, I’m not too stressed about it…
As long as I can remember December has been a time of excess. Of new clothes, fully stocked snack cupboards and days out. And as I got older, my single days, it was also when I could pay off credit card debit (not all that good with money this girl)
This year not so much. We are not getting Christmas bonuses so that excess is but a dream. We have what we have. Our bills are paid, we have food in the fridge but that’s kinda IT.
This year not so much. We are not getting Christmas bonuses so that excess is but a dream. We have what we have. Our bills are paid, we have food in the fridge but that’s kinda IT.
There is no extra money for outings and weekends away and all round Christmas jollification.
I was down about it, because well parties are still happening whether you can afford them or not.
Christmas outings, gifts for everyone, this all costs money…
It costs even more now that the price of everything has gone up! How am I paying R1000 for a R500 basket of food! And we had a couple of cash knocks recently, like broken window, smashed tire and then upgrading our car (all those hidden costs) Also medical aid kinda ran out, but our being sick didn’t run out.
Don’t get me wrong I know we are blessed, that our ends meet, I just sometimes wish it was more of an embrace than this fist bump, head nod, that we have going. hehe
But you know what, in the current economic climate we are of the lucky ones “Another day in paradise” like the song says.
Especially since I know so many people who have been retrenched this holiday season. MANY. I also have a co-worker who lost her home to a house fire. She is so super awesome and this breaks my heart. Not to mention all the people I know who passed away recently. It is not the Merriest of Christmases people, but it reminds me just how blessed I am.
I mean after all I am typing this at my wifi enabled laptop, with DSTV in the background while my child eats what I think is his 3rd Squish for the night (are those things addictive?) So we are blessed.
And this lack of money is making me tap into my creative resources…and making me honest – I have already told my friends, that I’m broke and that I’m only buying for kids this Christmas so they will have to wait for their birthdays 🙂
For some however…
I’ve made gifts:
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| This is vanilla latte sugar scrub hearts… The diy will be on BLOGSHARECONNECT with my other quick gifts on there 🙂 I also made a gingerbread scrub 🙂 |
and for us I made ornaments:
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| Homemade white clay ornaments |
And instead of going to restaurants we are doing pot lucks and bring and braais and picnics in the free park. I have even convinced my friend who owns a beauty spa to give me beauty treatments in exchange for a family photoshoot (hehehe, win win) Also next week when I’m on leave, I might not be traveling anywhere for the holiday…But we have a pretty outdoor courtyard where I can read under my favourite tree and Aidan can play to his heart content and I’m doing my own version of advent calendar with him, by doing something Christmassy every night till then…
you know what?
I HAVE NEVER FELT THIS BLESSED 🙂
Those gifts look great. We are also not going away. I also have a lot to be thankful for. Nicky also loves those Squish pouches.
Wish they did meat pouches or bean ones…aidan can't stand meat and has been a vegetarian since birth (his decision not mine) so I'm nervous about his protein intake. Also thanx a bunch 🙂
We won't be going away either, but hubby's Mom is coming to visit. We haven't told the girls yet, but I'm sure they will be pretty excited 🙂 Your gifts you've made are lovely. Hubby and I normally don't buy Christmas presents for each other, but we do buy for the kids. This year it is a bit tricky as we do not want to buy more toys for the girls due to a lack of space and we do feel that they have enough for now. But we haven't really thought of what else we could buy them that they would like. Mmm… Will have to think about it… Yes, I agree with you, there are many people going through sad and difficult times. We are blessed indeed.
Oh, forgot to mention, Nika also doesn't like meat. Or rather, she is too lay to chew it so she will chew it once or twice and then it ends up in the bin. She will eat very soft meat like fish and soft pieces of chicken though. It is very tricky sometimes to get her to eat enough protein. I hope it gets easier for you with little Aidan's protein intake!
My mom gives gifts to underprivileged kids on behalf of Aidan … cause she says he has enough…I'm hoping to get him to give something away every December to toy holder (once he is older) because lots of the toys you can outgrow…so you give away and then you get… and the house doesn't get investigated for a episode of hoarders 😉
Hmmm the soft fish thing just might work. Will attempt it tonight…. wish me luck