Let's Get Creative With Christmas
Yep, I did it, I mentioned Christmas! That time of year when we spend loads of money on things that people don’t want and need to try and show them that we love them.
Okay maybe that’s a bit harsh but I’m betting that you’ve experienced either spending too much or receiving loads of unwanted gifts at some point in your life. Those of you with kids are probably already drawing up the plans for the extension to house all the new stuff they’ll get this year.
On top of all that we need to spare a thought for the poor planet - and not just the plastic - but all the overconsumption of our natural resources. Maybe just maybe its time to slow down and get creative.
That said you know me I’m not one to tell you what to do. You have to choose for yourself how you want to spend your Christmas and your money but its definitely worth a few minutes to think about it and create an intention before you get carried along in a glittery, snowflake infused daze of terrible music, bright lights, and a quick draw bank card.
What is it that you REALLY love about Christmas?
Those of you that have been following me for a while will know that I really love values - my values guide me in decision making all the time.
Understanding what makes you tick, what makes you light up and feel all warm and fuzzy inside means you can focus on more of that. Not been here long enough to know my love of values, fear not lovely one I have a handy What do you value? blog post all about them!
Take a moment and cast your mind back to Christmas’s past (sorry to disappoint but Jacob Marley is a little too busy to accompany you right now)! Think about some of your favourite Christmases - what was it that made you smile, filled you with joy?
For me its Christmas dinner - squeezing as many of your family as possible around the table, using everything that could possibly take the weight of a person as a chair, as you elbow mum in the ribs whilst trying to cut your parsnips. Everyone is happy though because we are all together - even grumpy grandad puts on his Christmas hat.
Then there’s the Christmas preamble - the build-up - the carol singing, making paper decorations with my nephews and getting glue everywhere - all the Christmas films and if you’re lucky a roasted chestnut or two.
Oh, and the time that we did ‘homemade’ Christmas and the 3 fruit marmalade exploded out of the food processor EVERYWHERE and it took until March for the flat to stop smelling like pickling vinegar - those onions were tasty though!
The childhood memory of lines of Christmas cakes on the seventies style sideboard that were being fed brandy every day as mum seemed to make the cakes for the whole street back then.
What are your magical moments?
What are your favourite moments and what is it that makes them special? Is it the people, the setting, the feelings, the laughter? Could you pick out four words to describe your perfect Christmas - like you were casting your very own Christmas spell with the magic ingredients?
Mine would be laughter, family, connection, and sharing (and cheese if I can just squeeze that in)
Cast your Christmas Spell
What can you do this Christmas to make sure that it has all of your magic ingredients present? Does it have to cost you the earth?
So what about the money?
I’m going to go out on a limb and say that we probably all overspend a bit at Christmas. If you’ve been using my money tips maybe you have a Christmas Pot you’ve been saving into (Yay) but how can you stay on track?
Here’s a couple of ideas - try what feels good to you:
Create a budget - make it as simple or as detailed as you like. If you want a detailed option I’ve very geekily designed this Christmas Spending Plan for you!
Make a list of needs and wants - Write a list of everything that you would like to buy this Christmas, take your list and split it into needs (the things that you couldn’t do without) and wants (the things you’d like to have - the icing on the cake if you will - sorry couldn’t resist the pun!).
Have a homemade Christmas - there are loads of lovely things that you can make for people, you can get really creative and thoughtful. Just Google homemade gifts.
Think about giving vouchers for experiences - they don’t even have to cost money - they can be homemade - what would that person really love? Last year my sister and her husband made the kids a box with 12 vouchers, 1 for each month of the year - inside each one was an experience - not all of them were things that cost money - my nephews love a winter picnic with hot tomato soup and cheese scones. And their fossil hunting on the beach near Scarborough in strong winds and horizontal rain probably won’t be forgotten in a while either!
Hold a comedy night - I love this as an idea for entertainment - I stole the idea from the book ‘The Real Play Revolution by Ash Perrin’ Ash describes this in a lot of detail but the basic rules are:
1.No TV’s Facebook, Instagram, Phones
2. Find/make some costumes
3. Make props - prompt signs, microphone, and a backdrop (from an old bedsheet
4. Set the scene and have your favourite snacks
5. Have fun - get everyone to join in - if the jokes are awful even better!
6. Record it on your phone - not to stick on Facebook but to watch back in Christmas Future
So that’s some of my ideas (heads up family I think we should try out the Comedy Night!)
What one thing can you do to get creative this Christmas?
Hi there I’m Gail Bainbridge - money coach and mentor. I am on a mission to transform our relationships with money. I teach people to find money that they didn’t know they had for the things that are important to them. If you enjoyed this blog sign up to my newsletter to be the first to read all my money musings.