Reduce Stress & Save Money During the Holidays

Expectations, Holidays & Stress

The holidays are approaching and this can bring a mixture of happy feelings and stress to many people, especially this year. Why more stress during this holiday season this year? Between COVID-19, inflation, and the usual holiday expectations, this could be a very stressful holiday season for many people. Since we are a woman-owned business and juggle many obligations, especially during the holidays, this is a subject that we think about a lot. Family and holidays are close to our hearts, so we want to give you some great ideas on how to spend less, enjoy more, and have less stress this holiday season!

Making Holiday Gatherings Creative

Next week is Thanksgiving, then Christmas, and New Year’s celebrations, and each of these holidays usually has people coming together, eating, and drinking. The price tag for these get-togethers plus the time and effort that is involved can be huge-ask any working woman. It takes a lot of juggling, planning, and money to put on a holiday party, even if it’s family. The ideas we share can be used for any get-together, but these ideas work really well for reducing holiday spending, having more fun, while reducing stress.

• Potluck events are a great way of reducing time, effort, and spending on holiday gatherings. Potlucks greatly reduce the time spent on holiday meals while letting everyone at your gathering shine with what they contribute from their kitchen. Also, potlucks tend to bring people together in a more connected way since everyone is contributing and has a chance to share from the kitchen dish that they are proud of.
• Progressive dinners are another way to reduce time, money, and stress when cooking for a group. Whether you are celebrating with your neighborhood or family, a progressive dinner where one part of the meal is hosted at a different house or location is a great way to spread the fun around and reduce stress at the same time.

Having Fun this Holiday Season & Spending Less

Many people feel they are extending their debt levels during the holiday season by trying to meet family and personal expectations. Looking at the situation, most people don’t need more stuff cluttering up their house. Being conscious of what we give people while making sure it’s making a meaningful contribution to their life, is probably more important than a big box to open during the holidays! We share some money-saving and stress-reducing tips below:

• Gift Local Services. This has a threefold benefit, it supports local businesses, while it gives a service to a friend or relative they might not buy for themselves, but would really appreciate, and the gift can be used when the person most needs the service.
• Thrift Stores Shopping. Other people’s past treasures can be some amazing gifts for the holidays. From rare books to vintage apparel, from the perfect kitchen gadget to an incredible signature coat, they can all be found at thrift stores. Repurposing and reusing is a great way to help our environment while giving a meaningful gift at the same time.
• Make a List and keep to it. Lists help you stay on track and not overspend and save you time as a benefit.
• Create a Gift Exchange instead of buying gifts for each person. Toss names in a bowl and choose a name for each person attending. This allows the person to get a well-thought-out gift of some value instead of a bunch of tiny gifts that might make their way to the landfill and further global warming.
• Have people create a Santa’s Gift List of the items they would love to receive during the holidays. Have everyone share their gifts by email before Thanksgiving. These gift ideas can be used for a gift exchange or for individual gifts. So much easier and less money to get someone something they would really enjoy!
• Use your Reward Points that you may have gotten on your credit cards. Cashing in those rewards points can help reduce your holiday spending.
• Clean Your Closets, kitchen, and garage, you may find hidden gems that would make the perfect gift for someone by regifting.
• Bake Bread, Cookies, or Candy for a holiday gift. As an added gift, include the written recipe for the gift recipient. Wrapping your homemade baked goods can also be part of the gift, keep it festive and reusable!

• Make a Coupon Book. Creating a coupon book for a person you love can be a very individual and special gift. You can tailor the coupon book to that person’s specific needs, be it babysitting, car washes, meal preparation, or how to learn something you know that they’ve wanted to learn!
• Use Cash, Not Credit Cards. It’s amazing how much more conscious we are of our spending when we have to count out money instead of just sliding a credit card into a card reader. You might find by paying cash that you spend a lot less this holiday season.
• Focus on Gratitude. Thanksgiving is about giving thanks and being in gratitude, it’s important to focus on what we are grateful for, but it’s also a great habit to start and keep up throughout the year. One of the most meaningful gifts I ever gave my mom was a list of all the attributes I received from her and everything I have learned from her through the years. She kept that list for years and pulled it out many times before she passed away and it always brings a tear to his eyes!
• Avoid Self-Gifting. I know it can be tempting, but put on hold buying gifts for yourself, no matter how great a deal, and focus on your gift list this holiday season.
• Garage Sales. Shopping garage sales will not only help someone else create some holiday cash flow, but you can also find some great deals that would make the perfect gift for someone you love.
• Facebook Marketplace Deals. Facebook Marketplace can be a great source for local deals that can make a great gift for someone on your holiday list.
• Holiday Fairs. Holiday fairs are a really wonderful way to buy local and purchase gifts that are handmade, beautiful, thoughtful, and personal.
• Book Your Travel Early. Booking your travel early or booking on off days around a holiday can make a difference of hundreds of dollars in the cost of visiting friends or relatives at a distance.
• Gift Certificates. Buying gift certificates to your family or friend’s favorite stores or local establishments will give them a gift they can use when they would like.
• Make Memories by giving someone a photo collage of the special moments or people in their life. Put together a scrapbook or photo book online of memories for a person you love. Both of these gifts will keep giving the person your love through the years.
• DIY Skills. Use your DIY skill sets to make a unique gift for someone you love. Better yet, for someone who isn’t very handy gift them some of your time to do upkeep on their house or build something they would enjoy!
• Keep to a Budget. Set your budget for the holidays and keep to it. Approach the holiday season budgeting like a board game you are trying to win and give yourself a small treat for staying within budget and making it around the board this holiday season without breaking the bank!

Maximizing Joy & Reducing Stress

The holiday season is a time to enjoy the people in our lives. Stress can rob you of being in the present moment and fully enjoying the special moments with family and friends this holiday season. Try to delegate as much as possible, take time to rest and nurture yourself, try starting a gratitude list to focus on the positive in your life, and above all else be kind to yourself. Remember, if the well gets too empty, you have lack what it takes to give to others that you love.  Be sure to call us at Crystal Clear Home to help you will holiday clean up. Remember, we are only a phone call away at 707-827-3316, or fill out our Free Estimate Form and one of our cleaning professionals will give you a call promptly. We wish you a very happy holiday season from all of us at Crystal Clear Home.