In an InCanada study conducted a few months ago, Canadians were asked about watching movies, specifically holiday programming.
- 60% of respondents like to watch the same movies each Christmas, and 40% like to watch the same Christmas music specials each year.
- On the other hand, 61% of respondents also prefer to watch new Christmas programming, and 59% prefer to watch new Christmas specials each year.
Television is still the source of Christmas entertainment. Source: InCanada Panel Movies Survey, June 2013
WHAT'S YOUR HOLIDAY TYPE?
- In a recent "made-for-fun" InCanada survey, Canadians were asked to answer several questions about how you feel about the holidays. Based on responses, participants were placed in 3 groups
38% are Shopping Santas
- Shopping Santas enjoy the holidays as a time of fun and family, Santa and shopping, fireplaces and wine. It's a decidedly commercial season though, and holy it is not. 54% of the British, 42% of Canadians and 24% of Americans embrace the season this way and make the economy very happy.
38% are Holy Holidays
- The people of Holy Holiday segment love this season. For them, it is a holy time of joy, filled with family, fun, hearth and home. If this is you, look around and know that 59% of Americans, 31% of Canadians and 25% of the British think this season is about much more than presents under the tree.
24% are Humbugs
- Humbugs endure rather than enjoy the holiday season. It's an obligation they dread because for them, it's a commercial frenzy that's about shopping malls and whining. No wonder they are more likely to call this season a punishment. If you feel this way, you can take solace that 26% of Canadians, 21% of the British and 15% of Americans are also wishing they could fast forward to the New Year.
Source: InCanada Panel Holiday Survey, November 2013
Posted by Miranda Marquit in the Coupon Shoebox
One of the most difficult parts of the holiday season is all the extra spending that seems to happen. Buying Christmas gifts for everyone on your list can start to add up. The good news, though, is that things don’t have to get out of hand. After all, the amount you spend on a gift isn’t a true reflection of your love. You can have a frugal holiday season and still give thoughtful gifts. Here are some gift-giving strategies for the frugal minded.
One of the best ways to help everyone save money on Christmas gifts is to have a gift exchange. You draw someone else’s name out of a hat, and get that person a gift. You can put a dollar limit on it as well, depending on what is affordable to most family members. This can be an especially helpful idea for large families, or those who exchange gifts with extended family members.
One tenet of frugal living is to make things yourself. This can include Christmas gifts. My husband’s sister is quite artistic, and painted a large sand dollar with a cool picture of a dragon for me. It’s an awesome gift that I enjoy every day. Other homemade gifts can include baked goods, a memory book, and craft items. Write a note to go with the gift to add an even more personal touch.
My mother’s brother’s family always gave us a family gift for Christmas, and we sent them one. This is a way to save, since you can buy a gift meant for everyone, rather than buying individual gifts. A board game that the family can play together is one great idea. You can also create a gift basket for the whole family. Movie night baskets are fairly inexpensive to put together, as are gift baskets with assorted cookies. This principle also works for couples.
Gift cards are generally a bad idea, since many people don’t like giving low dollar amounts, such as $5. This can mean buying several gift cards worth more than you would like. However, you can get a larger denomination gift card for a couple or family. Another thing you can do is use sites like CityDeals.com and Gift Card Granny to purchase discount gift cards. You can find $25 gift cards for between $10 and $20. It’s a great way to give a great gift while retaining your frugality.
It is fairly easy to stuff a stocking with frugality. You can visit dollar stores for great stocking stuffers, and even look at the clearance sections of major retailers. Stores like WalMart and Target often have small clearance items for $2 or less. You can use these as great stocking stuffers.
In the end, it’s possible to plan a frugal Christmas and stick to a gift budget. You may need to think ahead, and consider some alternative strategies, but there is no reason why you can’t give thoughtful and appreciated gifts and while maintaining a frugal lifestyle.
