Cutting costs this Christmas
Painting pottery is a great way to make inexpensive, yet beautiful gifts. My kids and I decided to make painted pottery Christmas ornaments as gifts for their grandparents this year. We found some simple ball-type ornaments and used different colors of paint to put their handprints on the ornaments. We had fun creating the ornaments, and my kids are already planning what they want to make next year.
Another homespun gift idea is to make Christmas cookies, fudge, and other goodies to use as gifts for neighbors and friends. These can be packaged in inexpensive tins or plastic holiday containers purchased at a dollar store or the dollar section of a local department store. We often include homemade cards that say “Merry Christmas! We hope you have a sweet holiday.”
Dinner at home
Most of us eat a home-cooked Christmas dinner either in our own home or with family. By committing to eat at home more often than usual between now and Christmas, we can save ourselves countless dollars. Not only might this provide a little extra cash for Christmas presents, it also sets a great example of sacrifice and self-control for our kids.
Feed the hungry
This is a great time to volunteer to serve in a homeless shelter or soup kitchen. Did you know that there are over 600,000 families in shelters throughout the US? Most shelters offer family-friendly volunteer opportunities this time of year, such as delivering toys and/or Christmas dinner ingredients to low-income families. Contact your local shelter for details.
Support a ministry
A couple of years ago we made the decision to sponsor a little girl through Compassion International. It’s been a very rewarding experience because we know that she is receiving the money we send. We are able to communicate directly with her through letters, pictures, etc. Another favorite ministry of our family’s is Operation Christmas Child.
Jill Hart is the founder of Christian Work at Home Moms, CWAHM.com. Jill is a contributing author in the new book Faith Deployed: Daily Encouragement For Military Wives (Moody Publishers), and co-author of the upcoming book Home-Based Blessings (working title, Beacon Hill Press).
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