Christmas holds a special place in Kenyan culture, marking a time of reflection, celebration, and togetherness. “Merry Christmas” is more than just a friendly greeting. It denotes nice meals and beverages. But what if you don’t have a lot of money to celebrate?
Tips to Creating a Memorable Christmas on a Budget
While many associate the holiday season with lavish spending, it’s possible to have a fantastic Christmas with a tight budget. Here are six tips to having a great Christmas with just 5000 Kenyan Shillings.
1. Make a Plan
Planning for Christmas party entails making a list of what you need and deciding how to spend your money. The process can be tedious, but it’s necessary to ensure that you host a great Christmas party.
You can start by making a list of everything you’ll need for your Christmas event. The list should cover food, beverages, and any decorations you like. After you’ve made your list, note how much each item will cost.
Next, consider how much money you want to spend on each item. This is when your budget enters the picture. A spending plan helps you avoid overspending, especially when you’re working with a tight budget.
For example, if you want to buy meat for your Christmas meal, you can decide how much money you want to spend on it. If you have 5000 shillings for your whole celebration, you might decide to spend 1500 shillings on meat. This leaves you with 3500 shillings for other things.
2. Be a Smart Shopper
People enjoy eating goat, beef, and chicken throughout the Christmas season. However, purchasing them from a butchery can be costly. Buying a live chicken will save you money as it’s cheaper than purchasing meat from a shop.
You can do this by going to a local market or a farm that sells live chickens. A live chicken is cost-effective and it can weigh up to 1.6 kilograms, making it an excellent choice for your Christmas dinner.
If you opt to go for a live chicken, make sure to purchase it in early December. You’ll get a better price and have more time to prepare it for the occasion.
Feeding your chicken is easy. You can tie a loose string to its leg and attach the string to an object in a spare room or a safe spot outside your house. Feed the chicken grains, water, and leftover starchy food for the next three weeks, and it will be ready for your Christmas feast.
When it comes to drinks, choose ones that come in returnable bottles, and consider local drinks instead of expensive ones from other countries. Local drinks are often more affordable and can be just as enjoyable. Plus, buying drinks in returnable bottles is good for the environment, as it reduces waste.
3. Shop Early
If you haven’t purchased new clothes yet, avoid doing it in late December, when prices are higher. Instead, to save money, shop during November to the first week of December.
In December, many people buy new clothes, and this high demand can cause prices to rise. So, if you can, plan ahead and do your shopping early. You can find good deals and avoid the holiday rush. Look for sales and discounts at local markets or stores to get the best value for your money.
4. Team Up
Instead of each family throwing their own party, encourage everyone to contribute a small sum of money and throw one big party. You may host an epic Christmas celebration without spending too much money this way.
When you’re on a tight budget, pooling resources can have a big impact. If each family contributes, it can add up to more than enough cash to buy food, drinks, and other party necessities.
To save money, consider holding the celebration in a single place. You can split the price of decorations, music, and other products this way, making it more reasonable for everyone.
5. Cook Your Food
No Kenyan party is complete without chapatis, which are delicious flatbreads. Buying them from a café or kibanda can be costly. Making them at home is much cheaper and can feed more people. Making them at home is far less expensive and allows you to feed more people.
You’ll need wheat flour, water, salt, and cooking oil to cook chapatis. A 2-kilogram packet of wheat flour costs about 200 shillings and yields approximately 30 chapatis. This is about three times the amount you’d get if you bought chapatis in a hotel or restaurant.
6. Embrace the True Holiday Spirit
The holidays are more than simply food and gifts. If you can’t afford a huge celebration this year, work with what you have and spend time with your friends and family. There’ll always be next year.
Money problems can sometimes make the holidays difficult. Remember that the Christmas spirit is about love, togetherness, and making beautiful memories with the people you care about.
What’s important is the joy and happiness you share with your loved ones, whether you have a big party or a quiet family get-together. So, instead of worrying about money, focus on enjoying this holiday season.
Key Takeaways
Christmas is a special time for celebration and reflection. This might be challenging if you’re on a tight budget. Still, you can have a memorable Christmas with just 5000 Kenyan Shillings. Here’s how:
- Start by listing your needs for the celebration and allocate funds wisely to stay within your budget.
- Consider buying a live chicken from local markets or farms for an affordable and delicious Christmas meal. Opt for returnable bottle drinks and local beverages to save money.
- Purchase new clothes in the first week of December to avoid higher prices. Look for discounts to maximize your savings.
- Team up with other families to host a joint celebration, reducing individual costs and making the holiday more enjoyable for everyone.
- Prepare chapatis at home, a Kenyan party staple, to save money and create a fun family activity.
- Remember that the holidays are about love and togetherness, not just extravagant spending.
Balozy Pros Can Help
Need help with planning a budget-friendly Christmas celebration? Balozy is here to assist you with a wide range of services. From event planning and catering to budget-friendly decoration ideas and more, our pros are ready to make your holiday season extra special.
Don’t let a limited budget hold you back from having a wonderful Christmas. Join Balozy to explore our services and make your holiday season unforgettable. Let Balozy help you create beautiful memories with your loved ones without breaking the bank.
