photo by wordridden
Every little thing, everywhere you look, is going up in price. Have you prepared your family for the fact that this year could be different from last year? Maybe you’ve broken the bad news that your annual trip to the amusement park will be a “staycation” instead. While you’re explaining the many money-saving benefits of being a hometown tourist, you might want to break the news early about any changes you need to make to upcoming special occasions.
DON’T WAIT
Call your family and friends and let them in on your plans to tone it down this year. One reader, Sarah from Illinois, writes, “My husband and I were thinking about sending a letter out to our families, stating simply that we are not participating in the traditional gift giving this year.” Preparing family and friends well in advance makes it easier to accept the changes. It gives everyone an opportunity to plan alternatives, such as donating to a family in need as a group, drawing names, buying only for the kids or homemade gift exchanges.
YOU KNOW THEM BEST
Some people are concerned about the reaction they’ll receive. While some might be relieved and thankful, others might be offended. Connie M. writes: “We tried to send a letter asking everyone to do a drawing, and set a limit on the amount spent. Unfortunately, it was not well received. So I have simply bought less and less over the past few years. I think everyone needed time to accept our position. I simply changed how I gave gifts.” Sometimes, you should state the changes you’re going to make and not impose changes upon others. Gifts aren’t something you should expect, and it’s up to the givers to decide what they want to give. But you should be firm and stand your ground on how you want to handle your end of gift giving.
HOW DO YOU GIVE LESS?
Get practical. Start looking for small, practical gifts throughout the year instead of waiting until the last minute, when you’re more likely to overspend. You can buy your kids things they need, but with a twist. For example, practical gifts such as toothbrushes, new pillows, snacks, bath products and socks are often needed. You can make it special by buying body wash or gels instead of bar soap, giving an electric toothbrush or starting a new holiday tradition of giving new pajamas, fruit or mixed nuts. Rachel writes: “I gave my daughter a backpack as her big holiday gift — the one I bought before school started began to give her problems. I had her initials monogrammed on it. The good news is that it’s still in great shape, so she’ll be able to use it again next year!”
You can pare down by putting a limit on the gifts you give. Some people buy their kids one want, one need, one wear and one read, or they limit the amount of gifts by having a rule that gifts have to fit into a shoe box. Instead of trying to outdo the grandparents (if they tend to buy your kids more costly gifts), scale back. You can put the emphasis on helping others who are less fortunate, so the focus is on giving rather than receiving. Starting this now and leading by example will cultivate compassion in your kids.
For extended family, you can make practical homemade gifts such as baked goods or themed gift baskets. Smaller gifts such as books, magazine subscriptions, gift certificates or a special meal together are well received, too. The important thing is that you don’t feel obligated or pressured into overspending. Get thinking and talking about these things now. Chances are some of your friends and family will be glad you did.
译文:
为减少开销做准备
随处可见任何的小东西都在不断地涨价。你的家庭是否已经准备好面对今年与去年不同的这个事实吗？也许你已经打破这个坏消息，它将使你每年的游乐园旅行受到阻碍。当你解释家乡游许多省钱的好处时，可能你想尽早打破这坏消息并作一些改变面对即将到来的特殊时机。
不要再等待
邀请你的家人和朋友参加到降低今年开销的计划中来。一位来自伊利诺斯州的读者莎拉写道：“我的丈夫和我考虑给我们的家人发一份信，简单表述我们将不参加今年传统礼物的赠送活动。”事先做好准备，能使家人和朋友更容易的接受这种改变。这给予每人一个选择的机会。如作为一个团体捐赠给有需要的家庭，制作姓名，只为那些孩子购买或交换自制的礼物。
你最了解他们
有些人关心他们所得到的回应。当有些人可能放心且心存感激时，而有些人可能会心情不愉快。康妮M 写道：我们尝试发出一封倡议书要求每一个人去做一个图表，并制定开销总额的一个底限。不幸的是，这个倡议没有得到很好的响应。这样，比起往年我只是买的越来越少。我认为每个人都需要时间去接受我们的立场。我也仅仅改变了赠送礼物的方式。”有时，你应该表明你将要做的一些改变，而不是把这些改变强加在其他人身上。礼物并不一定是你盼望得到的东西，而是取决于送礼者他们想送你什么样的礼物。但是你应该坚定你的立场,就是如何处理年底年底得到的礼物。
如何少给点
变得实用。在开销更有可能超支的时候，开始整年寻找小型的、实用的礼物而不是等到最后一分钟。你可以给孩子买一些他们需要的，但也得发一些心思。例如，实用的礼物象牙刷、新枕头、小吃、沐浴用品还有袜子之类的必需品。你可以通过买沐浴液代替香皂，一把电动牙刷或开始新的节日惯例买一件新睡衣、水果或混合坚果。雷切尔写道：我送给我女儿一个背包作为节日的大礼物——在开学之前买的。我已经把她名字的首字母绣在上面。值得高兴的是背包还是很好，因此明年她还会使用。
你可以通过对送礼设置限度来减少开支。有的人买他们孩子想要的、需要的，穿的或读的一些东西，或者通过设立规则来限定礼物的数量，这些数量只能装满一个鞋子的盒子。而不是设法超过祖父母（如果他们想给孩子买更贵的礼物），缩小数目。你可以强调去帮助那些不幸运的人，那么，注意力就会转移到给予而不是接受。从现在开始这样做并以身作则，这将会培养孩子的同情心。
对于大家庭来说，你可以自制的一些实用的礼物，象烧烤食物或是主题礼品篮之类的。稍小的礼物如书本、杂志、礼券或是大家聚在一起吃特殊的一顿饭之类的，他们都会很好的接受。最重要的事情就是你不能对超支感到责任和压力。现在想想或谈谈关于这些事情。可能会碰到你的一些朋友或家人会很高兴你这么做的机会。