Reduce holiday expenses and waste

By Amy L. Habig, MPH, RD, LD
Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences
Ohio State University Extension
Highland, Adams and Brown counties

Let’s face it, the holidays can get expensive if we aren’t diligent about tracking our spending. There are lots of things to do, see, make, and share during this time of year.

With a little creativity and diligence in tracking spending, you can have the same amount of holiday cheer for less “dough!”

During the holidays, the average person will spend about$ 750.00 this year on holiday gifts and décor (according to the National Retail Federation). Think that’s a lot? It could be depending on your situation.

In addition to the financial aspects, the holidays create a lot of “waste” such as used wrapping paper, plastic and cardboard gift containers, and food container wastes.

We can all do our part to reduce wastes during this time of year. Many of the strategies for reducing holiday waste will also save us money.

Consider these tips that are either “green” or will save you some green to try to keep your holiday waste and holiday spending down.

• First and foremost, make a list and stick to it. You will probably hear this over and over again, but making a list really helps keep people on track and curb unnecessary spending. In your list, include all the people you will buy gifts for and what you would like to buy for them; you can also include decorations and other items you wish to purchase. (You can always delete items from your list when you get to the store, but avoid adding items.)

• Identify how much you plan to spend overall this holiday on items such as gifts, food, decorations, packaging supplies, etc. Break that amount down into separate categories and identify how much you would like to spend on each of those items and/or each person.

• Do some research to find the best deals. Browse the internet, sale ads, or in-store signs for the best deal on something you wish to buy. You could also call the stores before heading over there to see how much they are currently charging for a specific item.

• You can opt to make a gift or offer a service as a gift. Homemade gifts are sometimes more special than something bought at the store. CDs, scrapbooks, knitted scarves, and baked goods are several examples. Many people will appreciate a service, such as babysitting, preparing a meal for them, dance lessons, or teaching them a new skill like sewing instead of a store-bought gift.

• Split the cost of an item with someone else, or buy the item for a couple. If an item costs more than you would like to spend, see if friends or family members will split the cost of an item with you. They will probably appreciate spitting the cost of an item because they won’t have to search for something now. Or if an item costs more than you would like to spend, and you know both members of a couple would enjoy it, give them the one item as a gift to share rather than giving them individual items.

• DIY: Do It Yourself! Make your own greeting cards or gift tags using cardstock, stamps, stickers, glitter, ribbon, etc. Make your own gift wrap out of newspaper, colored construction paper, fabric, reused wrapping paper, or old shopping bags. Decorate your homemade wrapping paper with stamps, stickers, pictures from last years’ holiday cards, ribbons, and other items around your house. Let your kids draw their own pictures on the wrapping paper or your greeting cards. Use items from nature like acorns, holly, or berries for centerpieces or decorations.

• Carpool with friends or family when you go on shopping trips, especially if the stores are farther away. This can save you gas and reduce emissions.

• When having holiday gatherings, try to produce less waste. Consider using food containers or decorations that can be used again instead of buying new ones each year. And, make sure to set out recycling bins so your guests can recycle their bottles, cans, and plastics!

Please feel free to call Ohio State Extension at 937-393-1918 for more holiday money-saving ideas. Enjoy this opportunity to be creative; we hope it will save you some “dough!”