Unemployment is hard enough during most of the year, but suddenly you blink and a whirlwind of Christmas lights and decorations seem to have taken over the world. Yes, it’s that time of year again, with the ho-ho-ho, Christmas songs on every radio station and most people being jolly. Stores are packed with shoppers spending left and right, and the world takes on this whole other identity as we celebrate “peace on earth and goodwill toward men”.

It’s not always that merry and bright for those of us who are unemployed with family. As we take in our festive surroundings with a mixture of dread and depression, we put on brave smiles as our kids write letters to Santa pouring out their hearts that they have been so good this year and hope that their efforts are rewarded with packages under sparkly decorated trees. Inside we are frantically asking ourselves, “How can I possibly give my family a good holiday being unemployed? How am I going to get through all of this with no work and no money coming in?”

I could give you cliche answers about selling items on eBay, or Poshmark, or Etsy or some other site to make extra cash. I could tell you to go find some freelance work or some independent odd job like babysitting or gift wrapping for a few quick dollars.  I could even tell you to get a little seasonal job at a local store. I could do all of those things, but I won’t.

Why?

First of all, that is probably something you have heard about a thousand times before hearing it from me. Second, those are great ideas and all, but deep down we all know that sometimes even those things don’t work out. For every one of us that gets that idea that we could really make something work with those ideas, there are usually about a dozen already doing so. It doesn’t leave much room for people that are just starting out; so even if you do try, the money you need right now to pay for the holidays may be small.

So the question at hand is, how do we still manage to find holiday cheer while unemployed?

Let’s talk about gifts for the family first since it is the most stressful part of the holiday experience. Black Friday is over, Cyber Monday has come and gone, and you are still trying to buy for everyone on your list. If you have kids, that is easier said than done with the cost of toys nowadays…

Trust me, I know.

This is where you will definitely need to look at whatever kind of income you have, whether it be unemployment benefits, cashed in a retirement plan (if you have one), alimony, child support, anything.

Set a budget for each kid and take a real hard look at their lists. Big dollar items may have to wait unless you can find a really good sale that is within your budget. It’s unfortunate, but you can tell them that it is something they are probably going to get for their birthday. Trust me, I have had to do that more than once, it stings a bit but with all of the other presents they will have, hopefully, they will understand. See if there is a big-ticket item that can be shared, it knocks out a couple of items with one shot.

Stocking stuffers from places like Five Below are a definite hit with just about any age and affordable at any budget.

For older family members, homemade gift baskets of baked goods and things are always a plus.

If you are crafty, make them something, a knitted scarf or blanket, something handpainted, a wreath, whatever you can think of. No, it is not cheap, as I keep hearing from little Scrooges that think that hand-making something is tacky. It shows that you think well enough of someone to go out of your way to take your time, effort, and supply money to actually work on something that is unique and special.

Moving on to food, the other great joy of the holiday. With being unemployed, it’s a bit stressful to have to provide a holiday feast with all the goodies and trimmings necessary. Thankfully, a lot of the basics that go into a meal can usually be found in your pantry already. You usually have flour, sugar, eggs, milk, butter, things like that right? That is the basics of a sugar cookie recipe, so see that wasn’t hard was it?

It’s not that much harder to buy chocolate chips, sprinkles, frosting, and other baking needs on your routine trip to the grocery store. The good news is, grocery stores bank on this time for lots of baking, so they usually have their baking essentials on sale and if you take a look around, you can find coupons that will help even more. When it comes to the big meal on Christmas day, start stocking up beforehand. Pick up one or two non-perishable items per week and stash them away to take the pain out of a big grocery bill right before the big get together. Of course, you can always ask everyone to bring a side dish to help cut down on your costs.

If you have kids on holiday break, you may wonder how to keep the vacationing kids fed. It’s a bit different in winter than in summer. In summer, you can just pop some hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill and everyone is satisfied. Unless you love grilling in the cold, that’s not quite an option. Try to go for more casseroles or soups and stews, they are heartier and leftovers can be popped in the microwave once the kids wake up from sleeping in.

With those two big things out of the way, hopefully, you are breathing a little sigh of relief, but what about entertainment and getting that joyous feeling that comes with the holidays? Going to the movies has become an expense that many of us unemployed do not have the luxury of doing. Going out for an evening of fun with the family can be a drain on your wallet, which in turn can send your stress level sky-high.

Fear not, fellow unemployed person, you too can get that merry holiday excitement and hopefully it will push your unemployment blues away for the time being. Do you remember piling in your parents’ car and riding around to see the lights? That is always a sure-fire way to get in the spirit. Plan one evening to pack up some hot chocolate, turn on the radio station with your favorite holiday tunes, and take a drive around town. Ask neighbors or friends where the best local lights are and head there. You don’t have to spend much and seeing the bright lights and displays around you should turn your sad face upside down.

I have such great memories of my mother putting us in her car, riding around town, singing along with the radio and always coming away with a warm fuzzy feeling. I still do it for my daughter and I’m telling you, it still gets me every time. Check out the local churches as well, sometimes they have special programs or parties to celebrate the holidays. You don’t need to be a member, their doors are open to everyone, and generally, they are free events with the exception of a small monetary or food donation. Other local organizations often put on little events as well, so check your community calendar or social media outlets. Often places will have holiday parades, Santa Claus at the library, holiday open houses, and other festive events that are open to the public. Above all else, you can have a cozy night in by making some hot cocoa, curling up on the couch with the family and watching the wide variety of holiday specials that are all over TV from now till New Year’s.

In the end run, yes the holidays can be a source of a huge amount of worry and depression. I get it, you see those perfect holiday commercials with the perfect holiday home, family gathered around, immaculate decorations, and all that, making you feel somehow inadequate because you don’t have a job right now and probably can’t provide those things. I have been there myself, struggling to fill myself with the Christmas spirit. It’s not easy to get there, but it can be done and please believe me when I say, you are not alone in feeling like this, there are many people out there unemployed with or even without families who are struggling to find any kind of joy in the season. You are what you make of the season, and the season will become a memory for your family, so warm up the cocoa, turn up some Christmas tunes, and may your holidays be merry and bright!

About the Author: Dannielle Carter is a 41-year-old single mom living in the rural farmland of southern Ohio. After losing her job in 2008 due to recessional cutbacks, she worked part-time as a secretary until 2016 and still works occasionally as a freelance writer. Her greatest job is as a stay-at-home mom to her teenage daughter who she homeschools.