Secret Santa

Do you have just too many people to buy presents for this year?  You have your friends, your parents, your children, your spouse, your siblings, their spouse, their children, your cousins, your godchildren, your child’s teacher…AHHH!!!  Before you know it, not only are shopping the entire year, but your paycheck is gone.

Here is a money and time saving idea.  If you have a close circle of friends or distant (but close) family members you all exchange presents with each year, why don’t you try a Secret Santa?  Around November, you write each name on a piece of paper, and you draw to see who you’ll be shopping for (unless you pull yourself – redraw!).   That way each of you only has to buy one present (for that group anyway).  You can spend a little bit more on it, and have more brain power to think of a thoughtful gift.  And when you set a dollar amount beforehand, everyone knows they’ll be getting a decent gift (unless you have bad shoppers in the circle, in which case you need to plan better on who you invite).

This is also a great way to include people who may be a little lonely around the holidays.  They do not have to shop for everyone they know, just one special friend.

This is the season for giving.  Whenever that can be made a bit more easy, why not?