If you are single and starting over, your finances are likely strained. This is especially true if you have very recently changed your life in some way that affects the income you have. Money shouldn't be the focus of Christmas. Christmas can be celebrated with those you love while staying on a budget.
Have a Potluck Dinner
You don't have to buy and prepare everything for Christmas dinner. Have a potluck dinner and delegate your guests to bring their favorite dish. This greatly reduces your expenses and you get a good variety of foods and a great variety of people to enjoy the holiday with.
Go Caroling
Gather family members and friends who love to sing. They don't need the voice of an angel, but the desire to have fun. Print out the lyrics to several of your favorite holiday and Christmas songs. Plan the route you will take to go caroling and the day and time. A few days before Christmas or Christmas Eve are ideal days to bring the gift of music to your neighborhood.
Budgeting on Christmas Gifts
If you have a long list of people to buy gifts for, exchange names instead. Each person buys only one gift, but also receives one gift.
Homemade gifts are special. They express the time and thought you put into them. you can make anything from homemade ornaments, crafts, original printed poems in a frame, food goodies, bubble bath, knitted scarves or anything you are creative with.
Movie Marathon
Gather good friends or family members for a Christmas movie marathon. Who doesn't love the variety of Christmas movies from classic to funny? Serve hot chocolate and popcorn or any other budget-friendly snacks you can think of.
Give of Yourself
Christmas is a great time of the year to give of yourself. Enlist a few family members or friends to volunteer at a soup kitchen or whatever organization is available in your area. Volunteer to help in whatever way is needed. The only cost will be your time.
Being single and starting over after 40 isn't always easy, but it shouldn't prevent you from living a full life and celebrating Christmas with family and friends. Just stay within a budget and don't make Christmas about how much you spend. Make it about giving of yourself and being with those you love.
Have a Potluck Dinner
You don't have to buy and prepare everything for Christmas dinner. Have a potluck dinner and delegate your guests to bring their favorite dish. This greatly reduces your expenses and you get a good variety of foods and a great variety of people to enjoy the holiday with.
Go Caroling
Gather family members and friends who love to sing. They don't need the voice of an angel, but the desire to have fun. Print out the lyrics to several of your favorite holiday and Christmas songs. Plan the route you will take to go caroling and the day and time. A few days before Christmas or Christmas Eve are ideal days to bring the gift of music to your neighborhood.
Budgeting on Christmas Gifts
If you have a long list of people to buy gifts for, exchange names instead. Each person buys only one gift, but also receives one gift.
Homemade gifts are special. They express the time and thought you put into them. you can make anything from homemade ornaments, crafts, original printed poems in a frame, food goodies, bubble bath, knitted scarves or anything you are creative with.
Movie Marathon
Gather good friends or family members for a Christmas movie marathon. Who doesn't love the variety of Christmas movies from classic to funny? Serve hot chocolate and popcorn or any other budget-friendly snacks you can think of.
Give of Yourself
Christmas is a great time of the year to give of yourself. Enlist a few family members or friends to volunteer at a soup kitchen or whatever organization is available in your area. Volunteer to help in whatever way is needed. The only cost will be your time.
Being single and starting over after 40 isn't always easy, but it shouldn't prevent you from living a full life and celebrating Christmas with family and friends. Just stay within a budget and don't make Christmas about how much you spend. Make it about giving of yourself and being with those you love.