Most people love the festive spirit of the holidays, but what we don’t love so much is the hefty expenses that come with them. However, what you may not have considered is the option of borrowing things you’ll only use for the season instead of buying everything you need. Here are a few items you may want to consider borrowing to keep your celebrations merry yet affordable.
Holiday Decorations
It’s easy to overspend when it comes to holiday decorations, but the good news is that borrowing can save you both time and money. Instead of picking up new ornaments and lights every year, why not ask friends or family if they have extras lying around?
Many people don’t use all their decorations every year, and borrowing from their collection or trading some of your old stuff out can add variety to your decor without costing a cent.
Artificial Christmas Tree
If you don’t already own a tree, buying one—real or artificial—can be a costly enterprise. A great solution to this issue is simply to borrow a tree from someone who has a spare or isn’t planning to set theirs up this year. Artificial trees, in particular, are easy to lend because they don’t require much upkeep at all.
Specialty Bakeware
Who doesn’t love the delicious smell of holiday baking? But sadly, while it’s always fun and tasty, it often calls for tools like cookie cutters, festive pans, or molds you might not use again for a long time.
Rather than buying these items outright, check with friends or neighbors to see if they have what you need. Many people are more than happy to share bakeware, especially for one-time holiday projects like gingerbread houses or intricate cakes.
Extra Dining Chairs
If you’re getting ready to host a big holiday dinner, you might find yourself falling short on seating. But instead of rushing to buy folding chairs or renting expensive furniture, you can consider borrowing a few from friends or family. You’d be surprised how many people have extra chairs stored away and are happy to lend them out.
Table Linens
Festive tablecloths and napkins can take your holiday dinner setup to a whole new level, but they’re often fairly pricey and only used once or twice a year. Borrowing seasonal linens from someone who already has them saves you the expense and storage hassle.
Large Serving Dishes
If you’ve ever hosted a big holiday meal, you’ll know how many oversized serving dishes, platters, or punch bowls you can end up needing. The problem is, they rarely ever get any use on other days of the year. So instead of buying them yourself, it’s worth asking friends or family if they have something you can borrow.
Christmas Lights
Anyone who likes to get into the festive spirit simply must indulge in outdoor Christmas lights, but they can be incredibly expensive to buy and tricky to store. If you’re only planning to decorate lightly this year, borrowing a set from someone who has extras could save you a lot.
Ladders for Decorating
Once you have all your festive decor ready, you might find yourself needing a ladder or two to hang those decorations or string up lights. But if you don’t own one already, there’s no need to go out and buy it just yet. Instead, see if a neighbor or friend has one you can borrow.
This saves you both money and storage space, and it’s a simple way to safely tackle those higher spots when you’re decking the halls.
Outdoor Holiday Inflatables
Holiday inflatables are often a big hit for outdoor decorating, and the kids love them. But they can be pricey and bulky to store, which is why it’s a good idea to borrow one from someone who isn’t using theirs this year instead. This lets you add a fun touch to your yard without the financial commitment.
Party Games
Many people make party games an important part of their Christmas traditions. If the same old games are getting old, you might be tempted to go out and buy some more. But so many people have extra board games, trivia sets, or holiday-themed activities lying around, so it would simply be wasteful not to ask around first.
You could also trade your old games with others to bring more variety to your party lineup and keep things lively.
Punch Bowl or Drink Dispenser
Holiday parties often call for big ol’ drink setups, but a punch bowl or drink dispenser isn’t exactly something most people have hanging around to use regularly. Instead of buying one, ask to see if someone has one to spare. This will make it easy to serve festive drinks like eggnog or holiday punch without adding unnecessary clutter to your kitchen.
Holiday Costumes
If Mr or Mrs. Clause is making a visit to surprise the kids on Christmas, you might be in for a hefty purchase. Buying a costume yourself doesn’t make a lot of sense for a one-time occasion, so it would be a better idea to borrow from someone else if they have one they’re not using. Many community groups or schools also have costume lending programs, making it easier to get what you need without spending a dime.
Snow Gear
For those of you celebrating in colder climates, borrowing snow gear like sleds, snowshoes, or even festive outdoor accessories can be a budget-friendly way to enjoy the season. This type of gear is usually only used a few times a year, so borrowing from friends or family ensures you’ll have what you need without adding to any piles of clutter.
Extra Cookware
A lot of the time, holiday meals call for plenty of extra pots, pans, or specialty cookware you don’t normally use. Instead of investing in these items for just one meal, borrow what you need from someone who isn’t cooking for the holidays.
Gift Wrapping Supplies
Everyone’s wrapping gifts at this time of the year, so many people are left with excess wrapping paper and other accessories. If you’re only wrapping a few gifts, it’s a better idea to see if any close friends or family members have supplies that would be going to waste anyway.
Portable Heaters
You may be dreaming of a white Christmas, but that doesn’t mean you’ll love the cold that comes with it! Hosting a holiday gathering outdoors or in a drafty space often calls for the toasty warmth of portable heaters. But if you’ll never get any more use out of one you buy yourself, try to borrow from someone who has an extra or doesn’t need theirs at the moment.
Musical Instruments
Holiday sing-alongs or caroling events are extra special when you have some live music to work with. If you don’t own instruments, it’s worth considering borrowing from someone who does. After all, many friends or family members have instruments they’re not using and would happily lend them out for a festive occasion.
Kid-Specific Items
Christmas is one of the most exciting times of the year for little ones, so it’s a great idea to stock up on essentials like high chairs, playpens, or toys for any kids you’ll be accommodating. But rather than buying them for a single event, it’s better to borrow from friends or family who have young kids. This is an easy way to keep everyone happy without overspending on temporary necessities.
Holiday-Themed Books or Movies
Holiday-themed entertainment options like books or movies add a wonderful touch of festive flair to any Christmas celebration. But if you’re on a tight budget, you don’t have to break the bank to enjoy them this year. Friends, family, or even your local library are likely to have plenty to spare, ensuring you’ll have access to seasonal favorites without the added expense.