Three Gift-Giving Tips
THAT WON’T KILL YOUR SAVINGS
THINK BEYOND STORE-BOUGHT OR EXPENSIVE ITEMS. Sure, everyone wants this holiday season’s “it” item, but sometimes the best gifts don’t even come wrapped under the tree. Instead, look to your own talents as a clue to what you should give. If you’re a great crafter, create something unique for the people on your list. If you can offer the gift of time, provide a free night of babysitting for your friends with kids or even a chore or two you know you could provide. These gifts have a bonus factor: Recipients love the gift when they open it, and they love it when they get to use it! SET A BUDGET — AND STICK TO IT. Setting a holiday budget ensures you only spend what you can afford. It also narrows down your search. If you choose to buy your neighbor something, but they aren’t your top priority, set their budget at a lower level. If you have a sibling who has had a rough year and you’d like to make their holidays a little brighter, bump their budget up. This narrows the focus of what you’re looking for so you don’t stumble into something you can’t afford. Ultimately, it’s the spirit of giving during the holidays that makes them so rewarding. With a little ingenuity, you can be generous and avoid the stress of excess debt come January.
Ah, the holidays. It’s a time of sweet treats, family, and giving back — and sometimes giving a little too much. When it comes to the perfect holiday gift, many people spend too much money. The average American spends nearly $1,000 on gifts during the December holidays alone!
It is possible to cut back and make it to January without major debt. Here’s how.
CHECK YOUR LIST — TWICE! The list is going to be your secret weapon to tackling the holidays with your savings still intact. Start by writing
down the name of every person you’d like to get a gift for. Now, with the exception of your immediate family members, narrow the names down to your top five — top ten if you’re really popular. Now, place the names of the people who didn’t make the cut into a second list. If you still feel the need to do something for them, send homemade cookies or a handwritten note instead of purchasing something. This limits how much you actually have to spend!
BRAIN! Train Your
Russian Tea Cakes
INGREDIENTS
Inspired by FoodAndWine.com
• 2 cups flour • 1/4 tsp salt • 1 cup pecans or walnuts, finely chopped
• 1 cup butter, at room temperature • 2 tsp vanilla extract • 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted (plus extra for rolling cookies)
DIRECTIONS
6. Bake for 20 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. 7. Let cool slightly, then remove cakes
1. Preheat oven to 325 F. 2. Using a mixer, cream butter in a large mixing bowl. 3. Add the vanilla, then gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy. 4. Sift flour, measure, then sift again with the salt. Add gradually to the butter mixture, then add nuts and mix well. 5. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. On an ungreased baking sheet, place tea cakes 2 inches apart.
from the baking sheet and roll in powdered sugar. Place on a cooling rack to cool completely.
8. Before serving, roll cookies in powdered sugar again.
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