Only weeks until Christmas, and I’m already into the pre-Christmas gift-giving mode.
There are so many people to give presents for: teachers, neighbours, friends, work colleagues. Not to forget the big swap on Christmas day.
While Christmas is a time of joy and gift-giving is designed to signal appreciation; unfortunately, the tradition creates a lot of unnecessary clutter and junk. It’s so hard to buy the perfect gift for the person who has everything! And these days, most of my friends and family do indeed have more than enough, and they don’t want things that don’t spark joy into their lives.
Sadly, the Christmas gift-giving tradition has negative financial and environmental consequences. Many families go into debt at Christmas, due in large part to the gift-giving tradition. Last year alone, Australians spent more than $400 million on unwanted Christmas gifts.
There is a more frugal and sustainable alternative, and that is to embrace the make, bake, grow and sew movement. It works like this: instead of buying something that is brand new, you and your family commit instead to gifting what you make, bake, grow or sew. The purpose of this is to encourage creativity, embrace sustainability and gift more meaningful presents.
Make
As a frugalista, I must say that I appreciate and love homemade more than new. I love that someone has taken the time to create something for me, and I love that it has been produced in a more ethical and sustainable way than mass-produced. A tin of homemade biscuits rarely goes unopened and undevoured; even if I’m dieting, a tin of biscuits is great to have on hand when guests pop in for a cup of tea or coffee over Christmas.
I should also acknowledge that Christmas is a busy season, and for busy families finding the time to make fabulous original creations can be challenging. Often small, easy things made with love are just as meaningful as fancy pants creative endeavours. And if you don’t have time to make, bake, grow or sew yourself, then you can buy from a local craft market, school fete or church event to support creatives in your community.
Bake
Every year in late November and early December, I get baking. I choose cooler days rather than ones that are blistering hot; or else I bake late at night or early in the morning. I make gingerbread cookies, ginger nut cookies, butter spritz biscuits, biscotti and cookies cut in Christmas shapes (well, not everything every year!) Closer to Christmas day, I make panettone, and some years I make panforte as well.
This year, I made a plum pudding with my father-in-law, which was as much about passing on the tradition as making the plum pud. He is super proud of his English style plum pudding, and with good reason; it’s a great recipe. And while I’ve left my run a bit late, I also plan to make a Christmas cake (or two).
I’ve already packaged up some cookies in cellophane, and more in glass jars that are a better sustainable option. They look quite nice, even if I do say so myself. I’ve also made a few batches of choc-nut balls (with rum balls for adults), and while the intention has been to gift these as well, they are being afflicted by a mysterious disappearing disease. As they require no baking, these choc-nut balls are great to make when the weather is hot.
Sew
My good friend, Trish, makes each of her granddaughters a unique dress each year. It is something special that each of her granddaughters looks forward to receiving; they wear them until they grow out of them, and they are so proud to wear their outfits. And her grandsons receive pyjamas.
Trish also made my eldest son a special chef’s outfit when he was four. He loved his chef’s hat and enjoyed getting dressed up in his whole outfit to help me in the kitchen. The best part about it was that the chef’s hat had his name on it; how special is that? Perfect for helping mum in the kitchen.
If you don’t have the time or patience for making clothing, there are still many simple things you can sew such as Christmas stockings, aprons, placemats, bunting, table runners or cushion covers.
Grow
One year, my sister and I committed to spending less than $10 on presents to each other. My gift to her was packages of herb seeds. She had just moved into a new home, and when I visited a few months later, I was chuffed to see basil, thyme, sage and other herbs growing from the seeds I had sent her. Gifting plants is the gift that keeps on giving. With enough time, gifting plants is easy and frugal.
Geraniums grow easily from cuttings and look super retro European chic. Poinsettias look cute in pots and can grow large when planted outside after use. Hydrangeas traditionally flower around Christmas time and look just stunning in pots. Succulents are super easy to grow from cuttings and look cute in old teacups. And terrariums are both super stylish and a great low-maintenance option for a home office.
For the gourmet, potted herbs, or like the gift to my sister, seeds are useful and beautiful. Chilli plants are stunning, perfect for someone who likes cooking and Christmassy with their fire engine red colour.
You can save yourself hundreds of dollars, maybe even more, by adopting the make, bake, grow or sew ethic. But more than anything, you are embracing your inner creative forces, helping reduce unnecessary clutter, living life sustainably and strengthening your community, plus DIY is fun! Why don’t you think of something small you can make, bake, grow or sew this Christmas.
Serina Bird is a single mother of two children, now remarried, who writes about saving money and living abundantly in her book, The Joyful Frugalista.
