Here are 7 Tips for Trimming Down at Christmas 1. Change your gifting strategy. The most fun I have at Christmas is when we play the gift stealing game. We each bring a $10 wrapped gift suitable for an adult. We use dice and go around the room, each rolling for doubles. If you get doubles, you can pick a gift or swap. It goes on until all the gifts are gone from the pile. Lots of fun, and it’s interesting to see which gifts are the most popular and with whom.2. Send cards on another day. We all get lots of cards at Christmas time, so your card is lost in the melee. Why not send people birthday cards. It’s more of an individual thought. This goes for clients also. They’ll stand out from the crowd and be more memorable then. 3. Make your own cards. I stick my photos to card. People love them. You can also use old cards to make your own. Anything you’ve put your creativity into will be more fun for you, and more appreciated by others.4. Create a budget for gifts and stick to it – I know you’ve probably heard this one before, but I keep meeting people who think they ’should’ wrack up their credit cards. That doesn’t prove you love someone. All it proves is that you’re spending money you don’t have and you’re willing to pay high interest rates to the Credit Card companies. It’s not worth it folks! 5. Trim the waistline – Christmas is a great time for parties and get togethers and they all seem to involve chocolates and all kinds of things that don’t automatically appear at other times of the year. If you start watching your diet now, you won’t have that extra 5-10 lbs to worry about in January. Even just tracking what you eat, makes you aware and cuts you down on the temptation. That’s why Weight Watchers works so well. You are tracking all your calories in the form of points.6. Simplify the season and distill it down to what’s really important to you - and then create some simple ways to express that. Is it really the ‘things’ you buy that are important or would giving someone an experience they’ll remember be more heartfelt? For example a glass blowing class for a loved one who’s always wanted to try that. And maybe for next year when you can start earlier, how about a book of memories for a loved one. I know what I wouldn’t give to the local charity shop after Christmas! 7. Take this opportunity to express gratitude for your abundance. The very fact that you’re reading about trimming down Christmas on your computer means you’re abundant and prosperous. How can you create joy for others by donating time or gifts to charities and families in need? You could even do that in the name of a loved one. Most of us have grown up with the commercialism of Christmas and often just carry on without thinking. But, while all around us are losing their heads, Christmas is a great opportunity to be intentional about how you’re living and align your values with who you are. Be the change you wish to see!  

This entry was posted on Sunday, December 9th, 2007 at 5:22 am and is filed under Patti's Paraphernalia. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.