CHRISTMAS TIPS

7 Affordable Alternatives to Traditional Holiday Gift-Giving

Published

9 years ago

12/13/2014

By Sabah Karimi

Now that those invites to holiday parties and gatherings are starting to roll in, you may be wondering how you’re going to afford a gift for the host and other guests attending the get-together. Holiday gift-giving doesn’t have to put a strain on your budget. When you’re planning to celebrate with a large group, consider pitching the idea of gift exchanges that can save everyone some money without putting a damper on the holiday cheer.

Here are seven affordable alternatives to the traditional holiday gift exchange.

1. Secret Santa or Secret Snowman. This is a popular gifting event at many companies and gatherings over the holiday season — it’s also an affordable way to share the holiday spirit. Everyone participating in this event will be assigned to someone else they need to shop for. Since each partygoer only needs to buy one gift in order to participate, the cost of giving will be that much more affordable.

2. Abundance swap. Encourage everyone to tap into their minimalist side this holiday season by giving away one item they no longer want. You can either swap items with other partygoers, or set up a donation box to gift the item to charity instead. Set a price range for gifts so everyone has reasonable parameters to work with. This is a simple way to share the wealth this season without putting a dent in your holiday budget.

3. Homemade food swap. Let guests flex their cooking and baking skills this season to participate in a homemade holiday food swap. Have guests make their favorite holiday food or dessert to share with one other member of the party for an even exchange. This can be a fun and affordable way to share some holiday cheer and even try a new dish this season.

4. Recipe exchange. If everyone is too busy to bake or cook yet another dish to share at a holiday party, have them participate in a recipe exchange instead. There’s no need to spend any time in the kitchen to participate in this event because guests are just required to bring a recipe card and ingredients to make their special dish. If you are hosting this type of event, consider making suggestions on types of dishes the group may enjoy. Try themed party foods or recipes for holiday cookies and cakes to ensure the gift exchange is a memorable one.

5. Ornament exchange. Have partygoers bring a homemade or store-bought ornament to swap with another guest instead of traditional gifts this season. This can be an affordable and festive way to celebrate the season and may even end up becoming a holiday tradition. You can turn this into a Secret Santa-style exchange by having participants buy or make an ornament for someone in particular. This will encourage everyone to keep the recipient’s personal tastes in mind for a more customized gift.

6. Share an experience. Have guests pitch in to donate money toward a shared experience to make that holiday gathering that much more memorable. Whether it’s a private chef to cook a meal for the group, an at-home wine tasting experience or a local band playing at your event, set up an online donation system for guests and discourage gifts altogether. Even a $5 or $10 recommended donation per guest can be enough to cover some of the costs of the event and give everyone a chance to experience something new.

7. Themed potluck dinner. Hosting a potluck over the holidays is a simple way to get a large group together and can also help everyone save some money on gift and entertainment costs this season. Take the lead as the host to prepare a recommended menu of items so guests can pick and choose dishes that everyone can sample and enjoy. Whether it’s a Hawaiian-themed dinner or a classic Christmas feast, be creative with recipe and menu ideas so that everyone can look forward to something new. Make sure attendees are aware that no gifts will be exchanged during the event so everyone can focus on making their designated dish.

Sabah Karimi is a columnist for the blog Wise Bread, where you can find consumer tips like how to select the best balance transfer credit cards.

CHRISTMAS TIPS

Come see the Kell House decorated for the holidays

Published

6 years ago

12/20/2017

bowienews

We have three ways for you to come see the Kell House decorated in all its Christmas finery this week before it’ll be closed until 2018!

Regular weekday tours will take place 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday (closed Wednesday) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

We will be part of Downtown’s Candlewalk on Thursday, December 21st, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Come see our favorites Elves!

Or come enjoy the Kell House with a special Candelight tour on Saturday. December 23rd from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is $5.

CHRISTMAS TIPS

Tips for less stressful holiday travel

Published

7 years ago

11/09/2016

bowienews

As the holiday season is upon us, it can be a stressful time for many, including for those traveling to visit family and friends. Follow these tips below to help make your holiday travel less stressful. See your mid-week News for other tips, along with more holiday fun in each edition of The Bowie News in November.

Tips for less stressful holiday travel

Roadways, railways and skies tend to get busy come the holiday season, when millions of people across the globe travel to visit family and friends.
Wherever travelers are headed, be it across the country or across the world, they should realize that many other people are traveling as well. That can lead to traffic, long lines and other side effects associated with large crowds. But before travelers let the idea of challenging travel conditions deter them, they can consider certain ways to make the process of getting from point A to point B a bit more manageable.

Travel by car

Those traveling by automobile will have a few extra steps to take to ensure their trips go off with minimal disturbances. One of the more important steps is to ensure the vehicle is properly maintained prior to departing. Have the car checked by a mechanic and take care of any service appointments, such as oil changes or tire rotations.
Map out the route in advance and have an alternative plan if the route chosen proves to be too congested. One idea is to choose a scenic drive that may be a little longer but has less traffic. In addition, account for rest stops or points of interest that can break up the trip. Apps such as GasBuddy can help drivers find the cheapest gas or the cleanest bathrooms along their routes.
Bring along plenty of snacks so you can eat healthy and arenÕt forced to rely on foods you otherwise would not eat. This is particularly helpful with keeping kids satiated. Plan for a few treats along the way so that everyone traveling has an end goal, such as an ice cream or a souvenir.

Traveling by plane

One of the key things air travelers can do to make holiday traveling easier is to avoid peak travel dates. Whenever possible, avoid traveling the day right before the holiday, which tends be the busiest and most expensive. Remember, weekends tend to be more harried and expensive as well, particularly when the holidays fall in close proximity to a weekend.
Weather is a gamble in many regions of the world during the holiday season. Develop a contingency plan just in case foul weather delays or cancels flights. ItÕs much less stressful to put plan B into motion than it can be to rush around trying to make new, last-minute plans.
Always shop around for the best rates, but also the best atmosphere. It may be wiser to fly out of a smaller airport where crowds will be thinner and delays less frequent, or you may prefer a larger airport thatÕs closer to home and offers more amenities.
Another way to avoid delays is to pack minimally. Ship gifts and even travel essentials ahead to your destination, and only bring carry-on bags aboard the plane. This helps travelers sail through security checks and avoid the crowds at the luggage carousels.
Holiday travel requires planning, patience and having alternative plans in place so that everyone can make it home for the holidays. TF169407