A Christmas Special Big on the heart, little on the budget

CEBU, Philippines - One on going trend today that cuts across professions and social standings is probably that of belt tightening. Nope, this is not some fashion trend that’s into bringing out the right curves in the right places. I’m talking about pinching the pocket, going on budget, and everything that has to do with getting more out of spending less.

Even the festivities of Christmas will not be spared from all the penny pinching, thanks to the financial crisis that most of us are experiencing. But really, how bongga the way we celebrate Christmas should never be determined by how much dough we have in our pockets. Rather, Christmas is about all the people who’ve tugged at our hearts in the past months and the past years and really, it’s about spending time with these people more than the fireworks.

Here are some top tips on how to celebrate Christmas big on the heart and not on the budget:

Has hiring caterers, a troop of musicians, and a staff of decorators been a tradition in celebrating the Christmas season? This may already be too impractical for now, unless you’re talking about a corporate Christmas party that already has a budget. Besides, one common thing about huge parties is that you may not even know half of the people in attendance. This year, try inviting only your closest and most trusted friends in a small and intimate gathering in your house with jazz versions of Christmas songs in the background. The atmosphere will be perfect for you and your berks to talk about life, share your wishes, and to reconnect, if the need be, sans the frivolousness of a big time party.

Skip the fancy invites that come in gold, embossed letters. You can spread the invitations through text, through email, or better yet, call up your chums for a more personal touch. 

Christmas will never be Christmas without the traditional exchanging of gifts. Instead of pegging a P100-P500 flat rate on your gifts, go as low as P20 and challenge yourselves to be extra creative in coming up with something that’s personal and big on the heart department. Personalized gifts are actually the most meaningful because you can never buy them in the department store. 

Assign your berks to bring different kinds of dishes from the main course to the dessert so you guys get to split the cost and keep it at a minimum and while you’re at it, why not have a gift-wrapping party as well? Bring in all your gifts (with your gift for your manita or manito already wrapped up) and gift wrapping paper and get down with some chika overload while wrapping gifts for your loved ones.

A friend of mine once told me that time is an expression of love and I couldn’t agree with her more. In a fast paced world dominated by thoughts of work and career advancement, the best and most priceless gift to friends and family is time—something that’s bound to spread a smile across someone’s face this Christmas.