DEAR Jasminda,

EVERY year our extended family gets a bit bigger and the cost of Christmas is becoming too expensive for me, particularly now I’m retired.

How can I reduce costs and still make everyone feel important?

Doris W.

Dear Doris,

Can you remember the Christmas gifts you were given five years ago?

I can’t, but I can remember the day itself and the enjoyment of getting together with family members, some of whom are no longer here.

Without getting sentimental on you (cue Coldplay music) just having your company is what will be remembered.

No matter how small the gift, it will be appreciated. I was trying to think of an inspiring quote to add, and though many came to mind this one by Betty Reese tickled me: “If you think you are too small to be effective, you have never been in bed with a mosquito.”

Gifts don’t have to be expensive, in fact many of the best ones can be made with things you already have:
homemade biscuits, jams or herb pots, and vouchers such as a one-hour head massage, or an oven or fridge clean.

For younger children it could be a voucher for a day at a waterpark, zoo or museum (with you taking them — this doubles up as a gift for their parents as they’ll get some time out).

Art classes or supplies, a craft or cooking day voucher, or a board game that comes with the promise of being one of the players, are gifts that keep on giving.

These presents also give a gift back to the environment that is over-clogged with cheap presents that are now discarded and buried in landfill.

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas, Doris.

Carpe diem,
Jasminda.