Christmas is a season of hope and joy, but often becomes a season of spending. Many families are on a tight budget, but still want gifts that are exciting. Want an idea for a unique family gift that gives all year long but is also very budget-friendly? Try the 12 Months of Christmas.
The 12 Months of Christmas is a way to bring a little Christmas spirit all through the year. The idea is to have a different family gift every month. The budget-friendly part comes in two different ways. One, the cost of this gift is spread out over a year. Two, the individual gifts can be anything, so may be adjusted to fit a family's budget each month.
The Presentation
The key to getting everyone excited about a family gift is the presentation. Decoration, bows, and wrapping can go a long way to getting the whole family interested in a gift that does not come all at once.
Before Christmas, decide in general what each month's gift will be. Write it down on a piece of paper and decorate. Be creative. Use markers, construction paper, special computer paper, index cards, stickers, and so on. Seal each paper in an individual envelope. Label each envelope with the correct month to open. Be sure to put “Do not open until (month) 1st” on the front! Tie the bundle of envelopes together with ribbon in a big bow.
The Gifts
There is a lot of flexibility in choosing the gifts. This makes it very easy on the family budget.
The monthly gifts can range from free events to items that may be more expensive. The point is to make it special. Seasonal ideas are wonderful to use. For example, as spring begins, go on a family picnic. Too mundane? Try a great park, a new area, or bring special food.
Make the gifts family-oriented. If the gift is something like buying a new board game, go shopping for the game as a family. After purchasing, go straight home and play the game together. Celebrate with special snacks.
Gift Ideas
The following are a few ideas for monthly family gifts. There is no right or wrong gift. Be creative!
- Buy a new Calendar – January
- Go ice-skating – February
- Take a family walk – March
- Buy a new movie and have a movie night – April
- Go to the garden center and pick out some flowers for the yard or plants for the house – May
- Take a special weekend family vacation – June
- Everyone gets new flip-flops, and wears them to the pool/beach – July
- Buy a new board game. Have Family Game Night – August
- Have a family picnic – September
- Visit the Pumpkin Patch – October
- Family Movie Night – buy a new DVD or go to the movies as a family – November
- Attend a holiday show as a family (The Nutcracker, Christmas Carol concert, or whatever is local) – December
It's About Family
The 12 Months of Christmas is a gift that everyone can look forward to each month. The idea of waiting to receive Christmas presents may not seem exciting at first, especially to young children. However, after the Christmas season dies down, and the decorations are put away, families celebrating 12 months of Christmas still have a lot to look forward to!
This budget-friendly family gift gives all year long, keeping Christmas alive for 12 months a year!
Christine Alcott - Christine is an active homeschooling mother of 4 boys in Texas. She holds a BS in Mental Health and Human Services and a MTS in Theology ...
