by Hope
As any long term BAD reader knows, I love to gamify finances. It keeps me motivated. And this year was no different.
I decided earlier in the year that my Christmas budget would depend wholly on my $5 bill challenge. I’ve been doing this $5 game for several years. And each year has been different. Here’s how I spent them back in 2022.
As we prepared to head to Texas this past week, I broke out my bucket and counted out my stash!
Drumroll please….this year, I have $215 to spend on Christmas.
Making It Stretch
Since I want to make it stretch as far as I can and provide gifts for my parents, siblings, and my kids, I’m going to have to get creative. And frankly, it’s been a long time since I got creative. Time to create my own Santa’s Workshop for the season.
Back in the day, I was an avid scrapbooker, but got rid of my stash a few years ago when I purged most of my homeschool supplies. So I don’t want to break the bank on supplies either.
A few weeks ago, Princess and I attended the local Harvest Fest where creators and crafters display their wares for sale. I was so inspired. And have a few ideas that I think I can pull off well.
Homemade and Personalized
I’m not going to share my ideas here yet as I believe some of my friends and family read here and I don’t want to give it away. But the goal is to create practical gifts that are personalized and don’t break the bank. The supplies I’m thinking are:
- Boxes – shoe boxes, cigar boxes (I recently received 1/2 dozen of these for free from someone who knew my grandfather), small amazon boxes
- Modge Podge – I can get a big bottle for less than $5 at a craft store. I am making a comprehensive list before I go so I don’t go overboard.
- Paint – If I stick to just a couple of colors, I can buy big bottles and hopefully not have much left over that I have to store.
- Clothespins – Great for creating personalize gift holding a picture or notecard. And with a magnet attached, they become handy as chip clips or refrigerator decorations.
- Sharpies – thankfully, I have these in abundance, so no purchase necessary. Great to write on a variety of surfaces.
- Construction paper – I have lots of coloring supplies, books, crayons, pencils, etc. Mounting a colored item on construction paper just ups the presentation a bit. And by coloring or drawing something, it allows me to deliver a very personal message or wish for the person I give it too.
- Magnets – I don’t think a bag of adhesive backed magnets won’t break the bank. And allow me to turn my clothespins into an easy to use display.
I am looking forward to some music filled, candles burning, hot chocolate by my side, in my pjs, craft time at my kitchen table.
The goal is to create gifts for 15+ people with this budget. Challenge accepted!
Pictures to come.
