Plan, budget to beat festive stress

This Christmas, Santa's not the only one who should be making a list and checking it twice.
'Tis the season for over-spending and experts advise that the best way to avoid Christmas stress and debt is to get organised.
And while the super-organised began their planning on Boxing Day, there are still three weeks until Christmas.
Jackie Gower, of the Simple Savings website, said there was pressure to spend at Christmas on presents and food.
The site aims to remind people not to get caught up in the hype, and remember the true meaning of Christmas.
"If you think back to your favourite Christmases, do you remember the presents? Not really - you remember the people and things that made you laugh," Mrs Gower said.
Some of the pressure can come from young children who can be disappointed when Santa doesn't deliver the expensive items on their wish-list.
"I used to come up with things like 'Santa ran out of toys from his workshop, because there's so many people in the world'," Mrs Gower said.
And when it comes to little ones, she recommended buying several inexpensive items rather than one big one - kids love unwrapping gifts.
Bargain $2 shops were a good source for stocking fillers and don't discount buying toys or books from second-hand stores.
"When they are little, the kids don't really mind or care as long as they have something new to play with. They don't notice Santa is on a budget," Mrs Gower said.
Handmade gifts, such as jams, chutneys, sweets and crafted items are becoming more popular.
"I think it is coming back quite a bit more because of budgets being so tight," Mrs Gower said.
"People think 'I'm going to have to think outside the square this year'.
"Before if you gave someone a gift you had made yourself, people could be a but funny about it - it's not like that at all now. People appreciate the effort."
Mrs Gower knew of one woman who had made 23 gifts for under $30 by making jam. But she cautioned against getting carried away and not factoring in the cost of ingredients, packaging and decorations.
Mrs Gower suggested instigating a Secret Santa or Kris Kringle system in your family, where each person buys for just one other.
"It takes the stress off having to find gifts for everyone and keeps you out of the shops at the last minute, rushing around."
Tauranga Budget Advisory Service manager Marjorie Iliffe agreed.
"Talk to other families that you might be buying for," she said.
"It takes someone to to lead the pack and say 'we are having a tough time, you probably are too, why don't we change what we do?'."
Or you can take the advice of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, which suggests flagging gift giving all together "if it's reached the point where you tell each other exactly what model, design and colour your gift should be".
When it comes to the Christmas feast, Mrs Gower said many people felt pressure from family members to put on the "the best Christmas ever".
"Quite often families take it in turns to host Christmas," Mrs Gower said. "It's quite a confronting time for people.
"They think they have got to do it as good as the others."
Don't be afraid to ask people to contribute to the meal.
"Nobody minds these days - we are very much a bring a plate society."
And Mrs Gower suggests taking a tip from catering companies, which are used to cooking for large groups.
"Have a lot of salads and the cheaper things out first, like bread, pasta and potatoes," she said.
"People fill up on their plates with that kind of thing before they get to the more expensive things like seafood and meat."
Or start a new tradition with a Christmas barbecue or picnic on the beach.
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs suggests arming yourself with a strict food shopping list.
Mrs Iliffe said a Christmas feast did not have to be expensive.
Substitute ham or turkey for chicken, have vegetables you don't normally have such as kumara, add mint to your peas and buy a punnet of strawberries and icecream for dessert.
Mrs Iliffe advises keeping an eye on supermarket specials to pick up treats, such as scorched almonds for as little as $3.
"There's things you can do if you put your mind to it and if you want to make Christmas special without breaking the bank.
"Plan now, and watch out for the specials.
"Really think about how much you are spending on each person.
"Sparkle and glisten doesn't last after Christmas but your budget carries into the next year."
HANDMADE GIFTS FOR CHRISTMAS
Magic Reindeer Food, for the small child in your life.

Mix up some rolled oats, coconut, and tinsel, glitter or brightly coloured paper cut up in small pieces. Put it in a small bag tied with a ribbon, and include this poem: "Sprinkle on your lawn at night, The moon will make it sparkle bright, When Santa's reindeer fly and roam, This will guide them to your home."
Mini Christmas puddings:

Make up a Christmas pudding mix, but for mini puddings cook them in a teacup. Grease the cup, fill with mixture, cover with foil and place in a frying pan with water. Cook with the lid on until done.
Wrap in calico and a ribbon.
Memory Jar: Gift of Memories

Find a pretty jar and cut different coloured paper into small note-sized pieces. Write a single memory you have about the person on each piece and place in the jar until full. Add a ribbon, and you have a meaningful yet inexpensive gift.
Check out The Toymaker website for free stocking fillers.
You can download free paper toys to cut and fold. www.thetoymaker.com
- Source: Simple Savings