Nancy Twigg
Celebrate Simply
www.celebratesimply.com
The Easter celebration can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. Here
are some ideas to help you simplify and replace the commercial aspects
of the holiday with activities that are more in keeping with the spirit
of the season.
* Do some research on how Easter is celebrated in other cultures. Turn
your celebration into a learning experience by enjoying traditional
Easter foods and activities from another country.
* Instead of buying greeting cards, make your own. Use your computer’s
desktop publishing program or crayons, markers and construction paper to
make personalized Easter cards for friends and relatives.
* If you buy gifts for the children’s Easter baskets, use moderation.
Select one item each child will truly enjoy and supplement with
inexpensive filler items. If you usually buy a new Easter basket or
bucket each year, choose a smaller one this year that will require fewer
items to fill.
* Instead of buying decorations, choose a few craft projects to do
together as a family. Do an Internet search or check out books from the
library for ideas. Use your completed projects to decorate your home for
your family celebration.
* If you use flowers as part of your celebration, keep arrangements
simple. A modest corsage or arrangement of flowers from your own garden
is much more meaningful than an expensive purchase from the floral shop.
* Instead of spending a great deal of money on chocolate and prepackaged
candy, make homemade cookies and other sweets to be enjoyed as part of
your celebration. Your kids will enjoy making and decorating these
goodies together as a family.
* If receiving new clothes is part of your family tradition, consider
sewing them by hand to save money. If making an outfit is too big of an
undertaking, consider making one special accessory like a hair bow, tie,
sash or piece of simple jewelry to adorn an outfit you already have.
* Rather than serving an elaborate meal with all the trimmings, consider
serving a modest meal and donating the extra money you would have spent
to an organization that feeds the hungry.
BYLINE: Adapted from Nancy Twigg’s book, Celebrate Simply: Your Guide to
Simpler, More Meaningful Holidays and Special Occasions (
www.celebratesimply.com)
Nancy is a speaker and author who loves inspiring others to live more
simply. Visit Nancy online a
www.countingthecost.com
