Organized Haven
Winter Haven, Lakeland, and Surrounding Areas in Central Florida
Moving, Downsizing, and Estates ~ Serving Families Since 2013
Licensed and Insured​ | Trained Member of NAPO and NASMM 
Phone: 863.268.4041 | Email: Help@OrganizedHaven.com
Fla. Mover Reg. No. IM3374 | USDOT Number 3528088
  • Home
  • MOVING
  • DOWNSIZING
  • ESTATES
  • Reviews
  • Blog
  • About Us
  • Moving Quote

5 Ways to Afford Christmas This Year

11/28/2015

11 Comments

 
Holiday Planning
Would you like to put presents under the tree this year without breaking the bank?
The holidays can be stressful when you have a long Christmas list and a skinny wallet! Read on for some ideas to save money and also put a smile on someone's face on Christmas morning...
Secret Santa
When you don't have the funds or the time to get EVERYONE a Christmas present, gifting through a Secret Santa exchange can be a fun and stress relieving option! Go to http://www.secretsanta.com to learn how to play this and other gift exchange games.

Kids only

There's nothing better than watching your child(ren) on Christmas morning open their presents from Santa in excitement! As our families grow, it can get expensive to keep purchasing gifts for everyone. My family has followed the kids only rule for a couple of years now, although, there are a few that choose to buy for all still. 

Plan gifts and start early
Creating a gift list and starting your shopping early can help you be prepared come Christmas day. Have you ever had to shop on Christmas eve, because you hadn't finished or forgotten someone? That's the worst! Put pen to paper and keep the checklist on you at all times. How many people are left on your list? How many weeks are left until Christmas? Divide the two and get that many gifts per week until the big day. Try to finish the weekend before December 25 so you have time to finish wrapping and relax.

Stick to a budget
How much money do you plan to spend this holiday season? Determine an average cost per person and stick to the budget to avoid overspending.

Sell household items no longer useful

Low on cash this holiday season? Take a look around the house, attic, garage, or shed. Find anything you no longer need? One man's trash is another man's treasure. Try posting the item(s) on Craigslist or your local Facebook online sales group for a quick sale and use the proceeds to help pay for your Christmas presents.

I hope this list gave you some ideas to help you and your wallet this Christmas! What does your family do to keep Christmas affordable? I'd love to hear your ideas if you have anything to add to the list. 

May you and your family have a very Merry Christmas!

~Nicole
11 Comments
Erica Duran link
11/29/2015 02:14:07 pm

I am a minimalist and sold everything a few years ago to start my business and travel full-time. Love your tip about selling items people no longer use. I funded my life for YEARS by selling all the stuff that was in the way of what I really wanted to do.

Reply
Nicole Ramer link
11/29/2015 02:30:19 pm

How inspiring, Erica! It's so great that the sale of your stuff took your life into a total new and exciting direction!

Reply
Liana George link
12/1/2015 03:21:20 pm

Great ideas Nicole! I'm definitely going to think about using some of them this Christmas :)

Reply
Nicole Ramer link
12/1/2015 04:30:07 pm

Thank you, Liana! Better think quickly; it's right around the corner... I can't believe it's the first of December! ;)

Reply
Seana Turner link
12/5/2015 01:55:04 pm

Secret Santa - or even an "out in the open" draw a name - is a great way to enjoy the holidays. If you are part of a large group or family, it can be exhausting to buy for everyone. This is like going to a potluck - focus on one item and do it well!

Reply
Seana Turner link
12/5/2015 02:13:55 pm

Great point, Seana! A Secret Santa doesn't necessarily need to be a secret. Thank you for your comment! :)

Reply
Sarah Soboleski link
12/5/2015 06:44:36 pm

On the same theme as Secret Santa, my family does a Yankee Swap! Still a great way to focus on the gathering and not so much the gift.

Reply
Nicole Ramer link
12/5/2015 10:04:09 pm

That sounds like fun, Sarah! Spending time with family is what it's all about!

Reply
Melinda link
12/11/2015 12:02:15 am

Nicole, this year we did a combo. Kids only, except for the adults drew names. So, everybody buys for the kids ( only 4 of them!) and the adults get 1 present each. I think we're keep doing this every year.

Reply
Nicole Ramer link
12/11/2015 09:58:17 pm

Melinda, that is a wonderful combination! That way, the adults get to both give and receive. :)

Reply
Melinda Mitchell link
1/21/2016 11:39:07 pm

Nicole, I have to confess. My sister and I cheated. WE couldn't stand to NOT everyone a present! My sister-in-love was a bit put out that we didn't tell her we were gonna cheat. So, yeah, the adults drawing names thing is out the window. Oh well, we tried! haha




Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Nicole Ramer

    Hi there! Welcome to my blog and thank you for stopping by!

    I am a Professional Organizer and Certified Senior Move Manager® in Central Florida. I have a HUGE passion for organizing and finding the best, most efficient way of doing things!

    My goal with this blog is to use it to teach my readers methods of organizing and as a way to communicate with the members of my community.

    Please feel free to chime in and leave comments with your opinions or ideas. I'd love to hear from you!

    ​Enjoy and happy organizing!

    Archives

    January 2021
    December 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    August 2019
    June 2019
    December 2018
    August 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    January 2018
    September 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015

    Categories

    All
    ADD And Organization
    Children's Room Organizing
    Clothing Organization
    Cluttered Mind
    Coronavirus
    Donating
    Downsizing
    Garage Organizing
    Hiring An Organizer
    Hoarding
    Holiday Planning
    Kitchen Pantry Organization
    Move For Hunger
    New Year's Resolutions
    Office Organization
    Organized Schedules
    Organized Students
    Organizing For Baby
    Paper Organization
    Selling Stuff
    Senior Move Management
    Space Planning
    Spring Cleaning
    Time Management

    RSS Feed


    View More Resources


    Below are links to products and resources that I believe in, and/or use and love. Purchasing by way of these links will help support my business and my family, as to no additional charge to you, they pay me a percentage of the sale... thank you!!


    I am BIG fan of Professional Organizing expert Lisa Woodruff with Organize365. Get 10% off any of her ETSY products with the coupon code NICOLE. Here are a few of my favorite products of hers:
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    WITH Printed e-Books
    Picture
    Without Printed e-Books


What Our Clients are Saying:

"My mother had lived in her home for over 65 years when she passed, so the house was filled to the brim. Nicole and her team were outstanding. They came to the house, presented a plan to remove all of the items through an online auction. They inventoried all items, separated the items into individual lots and managed the auction, down to the last item being paid for, picked up and removed from the house! The payment for their services and transfer of the proceeds was seamless. I was left with an empty house that I could then get ready for sale. Perfect! Couldn't have asked for a better solution to an overwhelming situation!"

Brenda C. Winter Haven

Central Florida Organizing, Downsizing, and Senior Move Management:

Auburndale, Lakeland, Winter Haven, Lake Alfred, Dundee, Fort Meade, Bartow, Lake Wales, Highland Park, Polk City, Eagle Lake, Lake Hamilton, Gibsonia, Frostproof, Alturas, Haines City, Davenport, Wauchula, Bowling Green, Zolfo Springs, Sebring, Avon Park, Lake Placid, Kissimmee, St. Cloud, Clermont, Zephyrhills, Plant City. Central Florida counties served: Polk, Hardee, Pasco, Highlands and parts of Osceola, Orange, Hillsborough and Lake. Under special circumstances, we will travel outside of these areas, but will otherwise refer you to one of our esteemed colleagues.

Contact Us:

Nicole Ramer, SMM~C
2372 Old Combee Rd. #103
​Lakeland, Florida 33805
Office: 863.268.4041
Help@OrganizedHaven.com
Website designed and maintained in house by Nicole Ramer, Professional Organizer & Certified Senior Move Manager®.

© 2020 Organized Haven. All rights reserved.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture