Being Cheap at Christmas
November 27th 2006 02:31
Many people look down on Penny Pinching at Christmas. ‘Tis the season to be free-spending we’re told.
As we’ve explained, gifts don’t define Christmas, but in our culture it can be a challenge, no one wants to be known as a cheapskate or a Scrooge. No one wants to say those dreaded words that are anathema to our nation’s beloved retail sector (“I can’t afford that.”) but you need to.
Stores are well-known for making most of their profits around Christmas. For many individuals it’s worse. On their Credit Card bill each month, they see the ghost of Christmas past. Frugality in gifting is very important, so that you give something to people that doesn’t leave you the poor and leaves you no room for regret. With your own children, it’s especially important because you’re trading months of financial stress in for trendy toys. Their lives are going to be better if you spend some time looking for a bargain rather than buying them an expensive toy.
First, if you’re going to be scaling back gifting greatly, you need to be honest with people who are used to getting much more as to what you can afford. Most people will be understanding and those who don’t are more concerned about status than they are you and your financial situation and need to evaluate their own priorities this Christmas.
Second, look at this with the right perspective. It can show much more thought and concern to Bargain Hunt for a great present rather than ripping something off the shelf at Target and calling it a gift. Oftentimes, you have to make a number of calculations. You have to search for the right present at the right price to fit the person you’re getting the present for. You don’t just grab the thing you see on television. You go and find something that they’re going to like and within a budget. It’s much harder work that requires you to dig and when you find it, you’ve found something. The best part is when your bargain idea turns into a pretty good present because while it wasn’t expensive, it was well-thought out.
As we’ve explained, gifts don’t define Christmas, but in our culture it can be a challenge, no one wants to be known as a cheapskate or a Scrooge. No one wants to say those dreaded words that are anathema to our nation’s beloved retail sector (“I can’t afford that.”) but you need to.
Stores are well-known for making most of their profits around Christmas. For many individuals it’s worse. On their Credit Card bill each month, they see the ghost of Christmas past. Frugality in gifting is very important, so that you give something to people that doesn’t leave you the poor and leaves you no room for regret. With your own children, it’s especially important because you’re trading months of financial stress in for trendy toys. Their lives are going to be better if you spend some time looking for a bargain rather than buying them an expensive toy.
First, if you’re going to be scaling back gifting greatly, you need to be honest with people who are used to getting much more as to what you can afford. Most people will be understanding and those who don’t are more concerned about status than they are you and your financial situation and need to evaluate their own priorities this Christmas.
Second, look at this with the right perspective. It can show much more thought and concern to Bargain Hunt for a great present rather than ripping something off the shelf at Target and calling it a gift. Oftentimes, you have to make a number of calculations. You have to search for the right present at the right price to fit the person you’re getting the present for. You don’t just grab the thing you see on television. You go and find something that they’re going to like and within a budget. It’s much harder work that requires you to dig and when you find it, you’ve found something. The best part is when your bargain idea turns into a pretty good present because while it wasn’t expensive, it was well-thought out.
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