Why This Year Should be a Credit-Free Christmas

The past two years have hit all Canadians hard – whether it be physically, mentally, emotionally or financially. With the holidays around the corner, many families are looking forward to celebrating with loved ones and putting the year behind them.  

But despite the fact that Canadians may want to celebrate Christmas like they usually do, it’s important to remember that financial situations may have changed, and that the repercussions of Covid-19 are not fully behind us. For this reason, SolveYourDebts.com is advising people to have a ‘credit-free Christmas’ this year. What this means is that it’s more important to focus on who’s around your tree rather than what’s underneath it.

To ensure your Christmas is a credit-free one, here are five ways to celebrate the holidays with little to no money.

1. Give homemade gifts: There’s nothing more personal than a homemade gift. Not only will your friends and family appreciate the time and creativity you put into making it, but it’s also a great way to save money over the holidays and stay within your gift-giving budget.
2. Give the gift of your time. Instead of buying something people don’t necessarily need, offer gifts of your time and service, such as breakfast in bed, a free car wash or help shoveling the driveway. Get creative by creating a whole book of coupons for your services.
3. Suggest a Secret Santa. If you have a large extended family, consider doing a Secret Santa where you draw names and each person only buys for one other person instead of everyone. This can significantly cut back on expenses.
4. Skip the parties. This year everyone has a valid excuse to stay home and avoid crowded parties. Not only is it the responsible thing to do, but it will save you money on buying gifts, a new outfit, food and transportation.
5.  Send out e-cards. It may be the new millennium, but people still love to send out a traditional holiday card by mail. Not only can this add up in the form of postage, it also can take a lot of time to write out personalized cards. Try sending out e-cards to your list this year. There are many free websites that allow you to create cute, personalized cards for everyone on your list.