In a few days we will be celebrating Christmas.
Inside Track with Grace Mutandwa
I usually try to find innovative and exciting Christmas gift suggestions for readers but this year I have seen too many people going without food, losing jobs and struggling to get by.
Trips to various shops that are usually buzzing with customers this time of the year have just further proved to me that this year is a tough one. I know there are some who seem to have an endless supply of money, so they will go on expensive holidays and buy equally expensive presents.
If you can afford to splurge, by all means do so, but remember those around you struggling to scrap a few dollars together for a decent Christmas meal. Be mindful too of the fact that 2014 is a highly uncertain year on the economic front.
I know many people will this year cut down on Christmas expenditure. If you have not already done so, do a holiday basics budget. Take an inventory of your pantry so that you do not go and spend on things you already have.
If you are still at the Christmas baking stage, then substitute some of the required ingredients with stuff you already have or ingredients that are less expensive. Do research on websites that have ideas on scaling down your spending on Christmas.
Those who are creative can make some of the presents for their loved ones. You can also hunt around for cheaper gift-wrapping paper. Just because you are spending less does not mean that you will not have a happy celebration. It is the amount of emotion and level of commitment you put into your preparations that will decide whether or not your family will have a happy day.
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Learn to mix your own refreshing drinks. Make jugs of fresh lemonade or ginger beer. Get members of the family to help — turn it into a Christmas project and have fun while doing it.
We work so hard and do not spend as much time with our families as we would like to. Use the holiday break to reconnect. Yes, Christmas is about relaxing, eating, going to church and visiting family, but the most important thing is that you make that time count.
It might be raining or cold so have some firewood ready so you can have a fire in the lounge. Plan some games for the whole family to play. The most common games that come to mind are 30 seconds and Pictionary although you can go with any board games. Select good mellow background music for the day unless you are planning to get the family to light up the dance floor.
I have spoken to a few friends who are sad that their Christmas celebration might not be as happy as they had hoped. For me Christmas has always been a quiet day spent with family. I try and bake a traditional Christmas cake well ahead of time and on the morning I start preparations for a late Christmas lunch.
I love making Christmas lunch for my family. It is my way of telling them just how much they mean to me. It also gives me the opportunity to experiment. Every year I come up with a different recipe for my turkey stuffing. For some reason, cooking seems to relax me.
If you must travel, please try and do so early. Our roads are not as safe as they used to be. The combination of craters on the roads and an insane breed of public transport drivers make our roads dangerous. Drive carefully and please do not drink and drive or drive when you are feeling tired.
Even more vital, please look around you and if you can give someone even a bowl of soup on Christmas day, do so. This year give the most valuable gift of all – your love and time.
Grace Mutandwa is a Media Consultant, and published Author. She can be reached at: [email protected] Twitter: GraceMutandwa1/ Skype: Wisteria42
