Parents, children, grandparents, siblings, partners, cousins and friends can create an increasingly long shopping list.
Even modest individual gifts can add up to a substantial amount.
Could Secret Santa provide the answer?
For anyone unfamiliar with the idea, Secret Santa involves participants being randomly assigned another person for whom they buy a present.
Instead of everyone buying gifts for everyone else, each participant purchases just one.
The advantages are obvious.
Costs can be reduced considerably, and participants have more time to choose something thoughtful.
For example, imagine eight adults who would otherwise each buy seven presents costing £15.
That could mean spending £105 per person.
With a Secret Santa arrangement and a £25 spending limit, each participant would spend just £25 instead.
That's a substantial saving.
The system works particularly well when everyone agrees on the rules beforehand.
Set a clear spending limit, establish a deadline and decide whether the identity of the giver should remain secret.
Some families also ask participants to provide a short wish list, reducing the risk of unsuitable presents.
Of course, Secret Santa won't suit every household.
Young children may still expect presents from several relatives, and some people genuinely enjoy choosing individual gifts for family members.
There's no reason why the arrangement can't be adapted.
Perhaps adults could participate in Secret Santa while children continue receiving traditional presents.
Alternatively, families might exchange homemade gifts or experiences instead.
At That's Christmas 365, we think Secret Santa offers a sensible way to reduce financial pressure without losing the pleasure of gift giving.
After all, Christmas should be about generosity and togetherness.
It shouldn't become an expensive competition to see who can buy the most presents.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Comments are welcome!