A fun-filled Xmas does not have to be costly
Plan a day full of family activities
Christmas might look dull and boring when you don’t have the financial means to decorate and refresh your old Christmas tree with trimmings and gifts for the whole family to lighten up the mood on the morning of the big day, but don’t worry, where there’s a will, there’s always a way. Ho-ho-ho.
Also, while enjoying the festive season and splashing out, don’t forget it remains your obligation to purchase school uniforms and stationery your kids will need soon after lighting up the skies with fireworks to usher in the New Year.
And when the pockets are not deep to indulge in restaurant meals, or present family with gifts, the trick is to plan a day full of activities to be enjoyed by the family because after a long year of work, everyone might just be longing to spend time together as a family.
Cook with the family
It is always fun to be in the kitchen with family members, especially the kids, creating a whole lot of mess to be cleaned up by everybody afterwards, yet resulting in the most delectable and scrumptious meals everyone can indulge in.
It is also exciting to reminisce about the good old times or at least how the year has been, while cooking the family favourite Christmas meals. This is the perfect time to bond and teach the young ones how to cook and as such, create lasting memories of togetherness.
Remember, your meals need not be your traditional Christmas turkey, duck, or pudding because the ingredients of preparing Christmas dinner table full of starters, main course and deserts, might end up being too costly.
Make Christmas tree decorations and cards
What’s more exciting than making your own Christmas tree decorations and cards rather than buying them? Making Christmas essentials and exploring your hidden art talent is the way to go.
Fortunately, Christmas decorations and cards will be appreciated by your family, and the thought of making it together counts more than spending money you don’t have on purchasing something you use only once a year.
Stay local, local is lekker
Instead of planning far-away trips for the whole family, where a mere glass of cold drink would cost you more than double the price of a two-litre bottle of soft drink, rather be adventurous and visit local places, like a park for a Christmas picnic, your local zoo or museum, that won’t cost you an arm and a leg, while the moment can be enjoyed the whole day.
Kids love picnics and are never bored watching tricky animals. A few snacks, drinks and meal will cost much less than a roasted turkey three -course meal.
Play board games
For many generations, board games have been the unifier of relationships, from friendships to family ties, and playing them is fun and cannot fail you.
This can range from indigenous board games like morabaraba, snake and ladder, cards, Scrabble or chess. The fun part, this can be done both in-or outdoors, so there is no need to worry about the weather.
We know it does not snow on Christmas day in South Africa, but over the years, we have witnessed rainy Christmas seasons, as could be the case next week. So, make contingency plans if the weather is not conducive to going out – stay and play at home.
Merry Christmas.