Good News of Great Joy

With just a few paydays left before the 25th December, many of us are already thinking about Christmas. For some, this can be a really fun time, but for others, the financial pressure at this time of year can be really overwhelming. For many of our Ely and District CAP clients, Christmas can be a struggle - to provide the expected presents for the children, to have a special meal on Christmas Day, or even to be able to spend Christmas with friends or family when broken relationships have caused estrangement. Financial worry can add to the burden for those who already find Christmas a struggle.

On the positive side, there are some really simple things anyone can do to reduce the cost of Christmas without losing any of the joy of it, to help make Christmas a place of rest and celebration and a break from other worries and pressures.

Manage expectations

The first place to start is by listing everything you think you’ll need – this will help to plan your Christmas budget. The reality is you may not have enough money to buy everything you want, so start with what you really need, and then look at where you can cut costs so you stay within your budget. It can be a good idea to chat with family and friends about how much you're happy spending this year, so that you've set realistic expectations for everyone.

Give gifts from the heart

Why not get creative, use the skills you have and save money by making your gifts instead of buying them? You don’t have to spend a lot to show someone that you care, and giving a homemade gift, or even doing a task for someone, can truly demonstrate your love and thoughtfulness. You could also check if any local churches in your area are holding early Christmas events where you can purchase great Christmas gifts at low prices or find out about Christmas toy banks.

Get crafty with wrappings and cards

Don’t forget to factor in the cost of gift wrap, cards and stamps in your Christmas budget, as all of these small expenditures add up. If you’ve any gift bags left over from previous years, perhaps reuse them this Christmas. Making your own cards may be cheaper than shop-bought ones and often more thoughtful, and hand delivering cards and gifts will save on the price of postage. How about sending e-cards this year instead? It could work out cheaper, especially if you have a go at making your own digital card and emailing it for free!

Get thrifty with decorations

Over the years, Christmas decorations can become tired and outdated, so it's understandable if you want to purchase some sparkling new ones. Just think about the cost and if they’re really needed. Check out charity shops or local Christmas fairs for some low-cost options, or you could even try making your own. There are plenty of creative ideas for decorating on a budget available on CAP’s website that you can try.

Plan your food options

Do you ever find yourself buying Christmas food that never gets eaten? Rather than buying purely for tradition, you could save money buying what your family genuinely loves to eat. Often making things from scratch is cheaper and tastier than buying shop-bought, and if hosting Christmas dinner for adult guests, perhaps agree who buys what for the meal so that the cost doesn’t all fall on you.

All of these tips and more can help take away the pressure, stress and fuss that providing the 'perfect' Christmas can bring, instead helping make a space for celebration with those who are most important and to make time to know the real story of Christmas. There was no special meal or even a room to lay their heads and those invited to the party were simple shepherds.

Luke 2: 4 - 15

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,

and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

Please pray for all our Ely and District CAP clients, where Autumn can be a difficult time struggling to pay the added pressure of heating bills and to manage the expectations of a 'proper' Christmas. Pray especially for new clients waiting for their first visit which are now booking into November.

Pray for the new Money Coaching course starting in November, that this will be a chance for those who are feeling financial pressure in our community to learn the skills and knowledge to better manage their finances.