Christmas during COVID

KristiLyn Wilkinson, M.S.
Utah Money Moms Contributor

Well gang, we finally made it to December 2020. I don’t know about you, but back in March when Utah shut down for a month, I didn’t expect to be writing about Christmas during COVID 9 months later… Alas, here we are, and we can still make it a holiday to remember- in a good way! You might not celebrate Christmas, but these same tips apply to whatever you are celebrating at this time of year. ​Depending on where you live, you may be experiencing different levels of gathering restrictions. In general, though, large group gatherings, concerts, programs, etc. are just not happening this year. This can potentially be a bonus for your wallet. 

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By taking the money that you normally spend on attending holiday events and putting that money into savings, you can get a few steps closer to your financial goals. On the other hand, it can be tempting to sit at home and shop on-line since we now have more “free-time”.  This could derail your budget and even put you into debt.
There are many things you can do this season to enjoy the holidays without turning to retail therapy.

1. Since life is already “not normal”, this could be a great year to start new family traditions, ones that involve less stuff and more giving and serving. Big life changes are a good time to evaluate what you want to be doing and what you are actually doing! Maybe you want to start a weekly movie night with the family. Borrow some holiday videos from the library, light some candles, popcorn, and enjoy a quiet evening at home. You could also make some homemade decorations and ornaments for your tree. My kids love creating things out of random stuff they find in our house that I will let them play with.
2. With a little extra down time, it’s also a great chance to go throughout your home, clean out old clothes and coats that are still in good condition and donate them. Many charities and shelters need warm clothing, blankets, socks, etc. at this time of year. If this has been a hard year for you, chances are it has been a hard year for someone else.
3. Maybe money is a little tight this year. I think the saying, “it’s the thought that counts” rings very true this year. You don’t have to give money to show someone you care. You could make homemade cards and drop off some hand-written letters on doorsteps to people who might be feeling lonely or struggling this time of year. It doesn’t have to take money to show someone you care, and I think we could all use a little more love this holiday season.

​Come say hi on Facebook or Instagram and let us know what free, socially distanced, activities you plan to do this holiday season!