Posted on: Friday, December 18, 2009

Frugal is In

By Paul M. J. Suchecki
Tags: economic news, personal finance, ...
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As the holiday shopping season winds down, pundits proclaim that frugality is now in. For many of us in the states hit hardest by the foreclosure crisis, California, Nevada, Arizona and Florida, the only real signs of the season are generated by outdoor Christmas displays lighting the shorter days. Since so much of tax revenue is dependent on the real estate market, many municipalities and states have cut back. Fresno, California for example, just announced a round of lay offs and furloughs, while forgoing its usual Sierra grown city Christmas tree, also eliminating the cost of lighting.

Credit is tighter and the latest consumer confidence survey shows that a majority of people are still pessimistic about their economic future, so don’t expect to get much this holiday season, a prospect that gives you license to be creative and heartfelt with your own gifts. Here’s how:

Make something. Think back to some of your own most treasured gifts over the years. Past my computer, I an see a painting crafted by one of my nephews as a present one year. My bed is topped by a hand knit blanket done specifically for me in my favorite colors. My mother used to paint landscapes. I have several on my walls along with art from other friends. What skills have you mastered that can be used to make gifts? If you have a favorite recipe, share it. Most of us would enjoy a tray of fresh baked Christmas cookies, although home made fruitcake might not be the most popular choice. Christmas bazaars are often used as fundraisers for churches and schools. These present a wealth of handcrafted items at reasonable prices. Knit scarves or sweaters are all unique.

Photos are treasured. It doesn’t take long to sort through a stack of snapshots to mount a series in a framed montage, or blow up a few choice photos into 5×7s or 8×10s surrounded by mattes. Digital frames have dropped in price and make great keepsakes if preloaded. My sister made a much appreciated personalized calendar one year where the photos were of family members, and each birthday was listed so we’d never forget those dozen dates that matter most to siblings, spouses and kids.

As a TV producer, over the past several years I’ve transferred several of my family’s home movies to video, editing them into mini documentaries that I burned to DVD. I began the effort as a way to save money during a rough patch. When I found work writing for a national TV series and went back to buying my Christmas gifts, my family wondered where their annual family DVDs had gone.

Focus on a person’s hobbies. If you know somebody who is an avid cyclist, you might not be able to afford a new bike this year, so give something as simple as a helmet mounted rear view mirror. Books are reasonably priced and keep giving over time. Unlike entertainment DVDs which are played once then usually shelved to gather dust, how to books can be referred to again and again.

For decorating, favor light emitting diode, LED, lights over conventional incandescent lighting. The bulbs will last longer proving cheaper over time. Since they use far less power, it’s a green way to go.

Take advantage of free events. Drive through your town looking at home Christmas light displays.  Go Christmas caroling,join a sing along at your local community group center, or services at your church.

Turn your office gift exchange into an event where you dump the worst gifts from the past year. The odd ball presents can generate far more fun than misplaced gift choices for people barely known.

Go ice skating. Even in Southern California the season gives birth to temporary outdoor rinks. In the snowy Northeast, Boston Common’s Frog Pond is a winter wonderland. The cost for a brisk bladed workout is quite low.

Instead of hosting holiday dinner, turn it into a pot luck. If you ask your friends and relatives to contribute their own favorite much appreciated dishes you’ll give them a chance to shine.

Sending email Christmas cards will cut back on postage. Without burning fuel for transportation, or cutting trees for paper, e cards are the  greener way to go. Make sure to send them from reputable sites, so you don’t give the gift that keeps giving, tons of spam.

In the midst of rampant commercialism surrounding the holiday, don’t lose sight of Christmas’ true meaning. The holiday is not  for children to be bribed into being good. It’s a day to celebrate the birthday of a Jewish teacher who lived an exemplary life epitomizing the golden rule. Consider reading the Christmas story aloud, found in the gospels of Mathtew and Luke as part of your celebration. If you believe in Jesus’ divinity you have even more reason to celebrate. If you’re skeptical, at least know the historic basis of the day.  Should you celebrate Hanukkah instead, you have your own miraculous triumph over darkness to honor. Kwanzaa is a meant to be a celebration of family, comumity, and culture not greed. May it be so for you.  If you’re a Muslim, then ahead of the rest of us, here are best wishes for a joyous  Al-Hijira,  Happy New Year.