My family’s first Christmas in the military looked very different than it does now. Our family lived in a tiny two bedroom apartment not far from Whiteman AFB. All we had for decoration was a small tree from the Airman’s Attic, with ornaments found at our local dollar store, and our Christmas dinner consisted of a small ham, macaroni and cheese, and veggies donated to us by a local family. Our son had a few toys from “Santa” and the rest were generously given by his grandparents.
Now our Christmases are considerably more “grand” in decoration, food, and gifts. However, I am always looking for ways to have a great Christmas on a budget, and there are considerably more options to do this than there were 16 years ago!
Here are some great budget-friendly options for young military families to have a great Christmas:
1. Sign up for free resources
Trees for Troops, Operation Homefront, Toys for Tots, and the USO offer great holiday resources for military families. Your sponsor should check with their leadership as well to see what unique resources are being provided by their unit, such as meal donations, commissary gift cards, and the Angel tree.
2. Have a potluck!
We have been to, and hosted, many holiday potlucks over the years. Being home away from home is hard, and having a potluck with your (military) family and friends is not only a great way to spend Christmas, but will save you a lot of money on food with everyone bringing a dish to share.
3. Buy your decorations from the Dollar Store
Dollar Store decorations have infinitely improved over the years. They have ornaments, wreathes, cards, shelf decor, and more (and don’t forget the Target Dollar Spot).
4. Follow the “four gift rule”
If your family is on a budget, the four gift rule is a great way to keep things simple and affordable for your kids. The four gift rule is as follows:
- Something to wear
- Something to read
- Something they want
- Something they need
5. Play a “gift game” with friends and family.
If you can’t afford to buy for everyone on your list, consider a gift game, like a “white elephant” or a gift exchange where each (adult) person draws a name, is given a budget (usually $10-$20), and buys for that person within their budget.