How much could you save by skipping Christmas?
There are a lot of curmudgeons in this world.
Donald Trump doesn’t seem like the most pleasant fellow; Christian Bale’s a pretty volatile guy; and this dude appears to be a mean S.O.B.
But you’d have to think none of those people, misery and dejection considered, would suggest skipping Christmas.
Sure it’s expensive, but even the fickle Ebenezer Scrooge came around on the holidays – and he’s probably the most infamous penny-pincher we’ve got.
Yet let’s humour the numbers to answer the question once and for all: how much would we save if we passed over Christmas?
Forbes.com has summoned the National Retail Federation (NRF) to help give us a breakdown of the costs. Gifts, as you might imagine, take up the bulk of your Christmas cash.
Last year in the U.S., consumers spent the following on presents during the holidays:
-For family members: $431
-For themselves: $119.82
-For friends: $94.52
-For others (misc.): $43.50
-For co-workers: $26.70
That’s a total of $715.54. And we’re just getting started. The average price of the following is also to be accounted for come Christmas:
-a tree: $41.50
-cards and postage: $32.43
-flowers: $22.61
-food and candy/treats: $95.04 (a disputed number; some surveys say it’s closer to $500)
-decorations: $51.43
-travel: $960.50
If you take the NRF’s modest numbers, that’s at least $958.55 using the low figure on food and not factoring in any travel. Consider a higher grub budget and a bit of travel and that total can easily reach about $2,300.
So, let’s call it down the middle and say you’d have a good shot at saving $1,600 if you skipped Christmas. Is that worth it?
Forbes suggests you put that cash into a high-interest savings account or CD, or pay down any credit card debt you might have.
Crazy? No, not really. But come on, this is Christmas! We know it’s expensive, so maybe a sobering account like this just gives us reason to tone things down and focus on what’s most important around the holidays.
Do these numbers sound in line with what you’re spending this season?
By Jason Buckland, MSN Money
Posted by: Matt | Dec 19, 2021 3:24:21 AM
How very tempting an idea!
Unfortunately I don't think my girlfriend would let me get away with this!
All I ever end up with after Xmas is a sore head and an increased girth!!!
Posted by: Lisa | Dec 19, 2021 4:28:33 PM
Yes, toning things down, for all us people who don't quite have the wealth of Donald Trump, would be alot less stressful. Could we just "trim" the taxes a bit more?? That would help out. The money my family would save could go towards nicer gifts. Oh, but wait...then our "money hungry" government wouldn't be able to stay in posh motels, around the world...and they are definitely spending more money on my family then I would! lol (OK. A bit of sarcasm there.)
Posted by: Anne | Dec 21, 2021 2:41:34 PM
We are only buying for 4 grandchildren. Haven't put up a tree in years. Christmas messages sent over internet. Dinner is our only real expense.
More to the point there is no stress - no mall - no wondering 'what' to buy 'who'. Less costs, definitely less stress. Besides it's hard to celebrate when there are so many needy. So we donate $100 to charity.
I'm loving the feedom from 'make the best Christmas ever' syndrome. An impossible task no longer part of my life.
Posted by: dina | Dec 21, 2021 9:45:26 PM
chritsmas is not about buying, but about gicing,. i think we forget the true meaning of it. But one thing that really gets to me is how people dont want you saying MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! What the heck does happy holidays mean?? who celebrates winter? you dont celebrate summe so why would u celebrate the latter!!!!!
Trying send electronic cards, cutting down on pricey gifts, and buying a new tree EVERY year!
Posted by: ronald morrison | Dec 22, 2021 11:23:58 AM
nothing is too good for my friends and relatives. so that's what i get them
Posted by: rose | Dec 22, 2021 1:39:30 PM
This is a comment to Dina ...people say Happy Holidays so they will not affend people who do not celebrate Christmas some people celebrate Honukkah or Kawanza. It also combines the phrase Happy New Year in case you do not see the person, and no it does not mean Happy Winter unless people would actually use that phrase. The enitre Holiday season no matter what you celebrate is about bringing your loved one together, some whom who never see, and enjoying eachothers company no matter what is under the christmas tree.
Posted by: J Steed | Dec 22, 2021 11:57:18 PM
The costs of Christmas are too insignificant for me to care about. I wouldn't even get out of bed for $1,600.
Posted by: Aret | Dec 24, 2021 4:19:31 AM
dina I think u are nuts & quite ignorant to be honest.! This is 2009 almst 2010... there are many religions & many ethnicities out there...who dont necessarily celebrate xmas....... u have to be careful with your words..
Posted by: La di da | Dec 24, 2021 7:19:47 AM
To compare those who skip Xmas in 2009 to a 19th century Scrooge is ridiculous. Back in the 19th century Christmas was still celebrated as a spiritual holiday. It wasn't just about shopping - most people couldn't afford to shop for trinkets ~ there were no credit cards. There was a communal spirit, whereby children went door to door singing, Wassailing, and having a marvellous time together, sharing food and wine with the adults. Scrooge's transformation is that of the spirit; he becomes conscious of his responsibility to society and the wellbeing of others. His belated material generosity is merely symbolic. He doesn't save Tiny Tim's life by purchasing a toy, but by increasing the child's father's salary so that he could afford food and medical care. Today, Xmas is all about the market and making as much money as possible. People who work in shops only get 1 day off, then they have to work super hard on Boxing Day exchanging all those useless gifts that nobody really wanted anyway. Who are the scrooges in this case? The ghosts of Xmas past are gone; there are no spirits in the present Xmas, and none foreseeable in the future. Xmas has lost it's magic to commercialism.
Posted by: Greg | Dec 24, 2021 7:47:55 AM
La di da has hit the nail with the hammer, right on the head.......what happened to Christmas! Even over 40 yrs ago,as a kid, Christmas still had some of its true spirit. Today, unless your a faithful Christian or under the age of 9, Christmas has very little meaning, except STRESS. My Dad had a saying for me about the holidays, after I was married and started my own family, Christmas time is the time to watch all the flakes gather at the door...and he wasn't referring to snow. I think alot of people should re evaluate what Christmas really means...its not about getting or giving the best of tech, jewels or fancy clothes. Its a time to put aside differences, its a time for charity and most important, good will to all. Maybe if we all started with this during the holidays, it would expand out to the rest of the year...and just maybe...this world would be a better place....Happy Holidays Everyone!
Posted by: justunder | Dec 24, 2021 9:17:31 AM
We are a young family who currently doesn't make much money. After purchasing gifts for our children (one "big ticket" item and some clothes), one small gift for each of our close family members, and food for dinner we spent over $1,000.00.
My husband and I had a discussion and have decided we will not be purchasing gifts next year, but will be having the children make homeade gifts, participating in charity events, and spending quality time with each other.
Posted by: Barry | Dec 24, 2021 12:48:49 PM
Christmas spending is dictated by a persons income,savings and of course the willing to part with their hard earned dollars. Also it will depend on a persons attitude towards Christmas and how they were raised as a child and the values they were taught, friends and co-workers can also influence a persons thinking of what Christmas is all about. My Christmas days have changed with my kids ages,needs and of course my income. As for saying Merry Christmas, I say it all the time and have no plans on changing. I like to think I am my own man and not led by others. If we are worried about offending someone, what about me? I don't like it when someone speaks a different language that I can't understand, I do not appreciate the fact that turbins are allowed where they were not intended to be worn. Try wearing a baseball cap into a legion. There are many little things I do not like, but Christmas is not one of them. What I have come to realize is there is a minority of people that like to make these changes and the only reason they are changing our values and yes even what we say and how we say it, is because they have no life and spend there time vocalizing what we should be saying and doing. Then the ones who don't waste there time trying to change the way things are, laugh at the boneheads that are worried about offending someone. Well I think we, meaning the people that don't want these changes or attitudes better speak up and put the minority back in the closet. I learned a valuable lesson when the power went off for a few days. The little nice elderly women were cutting me off in the gas line, rushing into the store when the owner was trying to control the amount of people in the store because he had no power and transactions were done manually, so I parked and watched the people. It was halarious. It was like everyone for themselves because they had no idea how long it would be before power would be restored. So lets look past all the false fronts some people put up because it really means nothing. SAY MERRY CHRISTMAS as many times as you want! Write it on your cards! Do your best to be your own person, and if you offend someone along the way Oh well! It was not intentional or deliberate, you were just being you. Let them get over it.
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEWYEAR
Posted by: Vera | Dec 24, 2021 1:47:50 PM
A lot of people don't keep Christmas...including me. I haven't kept it for years, yet people still try to force it on me as a "religious obligation." What?? You don't keep Christmas? You don't believe in God and his Son?? You deny the children presents from Snata Clause? Shame on you!"
Or, from my kids: "Realy, mom, lighten up! There's nothing wrong with it!"
My response is: "There ain't no Santa Claus, and you shouldn't be telling your kids there is. So much for teaching kids not to lie. You live your lives, and I'll live mine!'
They just never give up. Even a good friend got on my case about it. Good grief. So much for freedom of religion!
Posted by: edgward | Dec 24, 2021 2:02:39 PM
to "celebrate" this retail invented holiday today as our parents did is completely preposterous! how many poor sucomb to depression/suicide because they can't feed thier family or purchase the latest gadgets of the day. for the well off, eveyday is christmas. etall
Posted by: Brian | Dec 24, 2021 2:25:23 PM
This is for Barry, I couldn't agree more, for the most part, so to everyone who celebrates Christmas , I say to you all, MERRY CHRISTMAS MERRY CHRISTMAS MERRY CHRISTMAS and to those who don't celebrate christmas, well they shouldn't be offended when we who celebrate christmas say it,It isn't meant to offend anyone, this world has gotten way too damn serious about everything, we all need to lighten up people, so have a MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR, by the way VERA, get a grip you grump, your kids are right...LOL, my little girl believes in Santa as well a Jesus, we call it the best of both worlds and it's called imagination when it comes to certain things not lying, now go knock back a few egg nogs and" lighten up", everyone
Posted by: Melanie | Dec 24, 2021 3:04:42 PM
BAH HUMBUG! Skip Christmas? NEVER!
Posted by: Alex | Dec 24, 2021 3:06:54 PM
If you're worried about the mall for Christmas, you're missing the point. Go to Church or go see your family.
Posted by: dottie | Dec 24, 2021 5:02:46 PM
To Dina I agree with your comment very much I was born Canadian, Raised catholic and Merry christmas it will always be. I apoligise if anyone finds that offensive. But we dont make any new comers change when they enter our country so why should we feel obligated to change ours. Merry christmas to all and i will leave it at that cause i could go on & on with this subject...
Posted by: K S | Dec 24, 2021 9:17:21 PM
I know _we_ celabrate christmas this time of year, but can eny one tell me where it says in the bible that Jesus was_ born on the 24 of december. thank you an have a great holiday.
Posted by: Lisa | Dec 25, 2021 11:08:15 AM
To KS--It doesn't say in the bible that Jesus was born on a certain date. A large religious sect happened to pick that date. This is why we end up with different religious dates, celebrations, religions, etc. The differences go on and on.
I believe that Christmas was actually supposed to be a time of love and unity...so instead of everyone arguing over it...just say Merry Christmas...and enjoy the peace that comes with celebrating the birth of Christ.
If you happen to be one of the few who don't believe in Jesus's birth...say "have a nice day"...like you have done the rest of the year...oh, and by the way DON'T take the Christmas holidays off...because you don't believe in Christmas...right???
To end on a good note...Merry Christmas to all!!!