How I Be Festive Without Going Broke

My friend asked me how I can enjoy the holidays without spending too much money. That's a great question! December has lots of fun stuff like presents, Christmas lights, baking yummy cookies, delicious foods, but it can be really expensive. I always overspend so this year I'm being more careful with my cash. Here's what works for me:

_{Designed on canva}

First, I decide how much total money I can use on everything ,gifts, food, decorations, the whole deal. Getting carried away is too easy so I gotta make a limit at the start and stick to it no matter how tempted I get by sales and stuff.

Second, I get crafty and make things instead of buying them. Like I cut up old newspapers to make cool wrapping paper instead of paying for it.
I love flipping through old magazines and catalogs to cut out colorful photos, funky fonts and patterned scraps for making my homemade wrapping paper creations. Armfuls of glossy pages spread across the living room floor around me as I carefully craft unique prints with painted accents, lace trims and sparkling embellishments no store could ever replicate.

And I bake shortbread biscuits and cakes to give people instead of buying a bunch of presents. Tastes better anyway, My sister also taught me how to sew little decorations out of little materials.People love getting my homemade goodies.

Another thing is I find free things to do like this place near my house has a big tree light , there they always host a party with free drinks. And my church does gift exchanges where you just bring any kind of gift that you have to offer up for exchange.

When friends want to go out to eat, I say let's just potluck at my house instead. Everyone brings something yummy and cheaper for all. Last year we had afang soup, fried rice and chicken and some pastries, and a friend of mine made delicious cocktail drinks, it felt like a party.

After feasting, we'll head out into the neighborhood to admire the decoration hung out by people in the neighbour hood, and also we would try out knock out with the kids in the street, this is like another way of an outing with friends and family, we would also visit some more friend, who would still hand out more delicious food when they are visited, one thing I like about this period is that, nobody will ask you if you want to eat, they just go in and serve without any questions asked like a normal day.

We would stop by multiple shops that offer something sweet , maybe like a cup of hot chocolate and as carolers sing songs welcoming in the season. Joyful sights and sounds available to all just for the experience if you know where to look.

Also, and most importantly use cash only for discretionary spending so once it runs out from your envelope, you stop buying extra things. Decide what's most important to you. Planning smart helps make the most of the holidays without overspending.

So that's how I stay festive. Making limits, making things myself, doing free or cheap stuff, and only using cash helps a ton. I end up enjoying the season even more.

_{This is my response to the hive learners prompt week 92 edition 2}