Santa Claus is one of our most recognizable holiday characters, known for his love of children, holiday spirit, and giving personality. Most people would agree that Santa is a good guy. He gives unselfishly and the only thing he asks for in return is good behavior. However, has anyone ever asked what this all costs Santa? Could Santa be getting better values other than those found at the North Pole?
Photo by Yumi Kimura via Flickr
Christmas gift money can be a significant part of anyone’s budget, and is often a source of stress during the holidays. What lessons in Christmas gift giving can we learn from the King of Gift Giving himself? Further study of Santa’s gift giving reveals several good personal financial lessons and a few that aren’t as good.
Applause for Santa Claus
He makes a list and checks it twice
Santa is famous for his Christmas list and knowing what is important to everyone on the list. Having a list can (1) save money and (2) remind him of great ideas for presents. You can keep a similar list that allows you to give more meaningful gifts while saving money. Here is how it works.
Keeping a list helps you stay on the lookout for special gifts all year long, not just on Christmas Eve. The longer you have to shop for these things the better your odds are for finding a better value.
Jack was at a small theater with his friend, Rachel. While they waited for the play to begin Jack noticed an old, wooden kitchen chair placed near the stage and pointed it out to Rachel. It was an exact copy of the chairs his parents had in the kitchen when Jack was a child. He sat in a chair just like that one every day at dinner and listened to his parents talk about their small business and their work to do better for the family. The chair reminded Jack of how poor the family had been when he was a little boy and how hard he and his brothers had worked to become as successful in their careers. That simple chair seemed very symbolic to Jack, as he was obviously moved by the memories that the chair was bringing back.
Rachel made a note of this on her “Santa’s Helper Christmas List”. A while later she read in the July 13 newspaper that the theater would be closing due to the sale of the property it was located on. Rachel remembered the entry on her list. She went to the theater and inquired about the chair. It was still there. When she asked if she could buy it she was asked to make an offer. Rachel offered $5 and the deal was set.
At Christmas time that year Rachel gave Jack the chair with a handwritten note that said “Jack – this chair reminds me of how proud I am of your hard work and what you have done for your friends. Rachel.” Jack, floored by Rachel’s thoughtfulness, confessed that Rachel’s $5.00 gift was the best gift he had ever received.
Look for gifts all year long
Ever been a “last minute shopper”? It can happen to the best of us. Most people will tell you if your goal is to find great selection with good prices the last minute is the worst minute.
Santa spends all year getting gifts together, not just Christmas Eve. By working on getting the best gifts for everyone all year long, instead of the last week in December, he has many more options when it comes to getting a better deal on the best gift. With his list in hand Santa could be ready at any time to take advantage of special circumstances that would allow him to get a better gift or a better value without spending more money.
Deliver the gifts yourself
Having gifts to give is great but how do you get them to the special people in your life? With a personal visit Santa saves on delivery …