There can be no doubt that this year’s holiday season will be unlike any other. Large family gatherings and office holiday parties are likely to be replaced by meetings over Zoom and best wishes from afar. It’s going to feel different for many of us, and we’re going to have to find ways to make the season feel special, even while we’re apart. With that in mind, we have compiled a few helpful suggestions to help you celebrate the holidays ‘2020 style’.

Focus on personal touches

There is a lot of pressure to select the perfect holiday gift, even in “normal” years, but sometimes the best gifts are the ones that don’t come from a store at all. Instead of buying a box of chocolates for an older neighbour, perhaps you could clear their snow for the month of January instead. Rather than shipping your mother a holiday bouquet, you might send her a gift card for a local coffee shop and schedule a regular time to enjoy a call over coffee.

If you have kids, you might think of creative ways to involve them in the spirit of the holidays. It could be something as simple as taking the time to make hand-crafted gifts or a video message for the grandparents. This year has been challenging for so many, and a focus on non-material ways to celebrate the season can bring some much-needed perspective.

Create and stick to a budget

There may be a bright side to restrictions on gatherings during the holiday season for those on a budget. Due to reductions in travel, dining out, and alcohol for entertaining, Canadian households plan to spend 18% less on the holidays this year. However, these individuals only know they’re planning to spend less because they have a spending plan. While it may be tempting to go overboard with gift-giving in a year when we’ll spend less on entertaining friends and family, it’s always a good idea to make a holiday budget.

This year, your budget may include items that it usually doesn’t. For example, you may have to factor in shipping costs to send items to family members you usually see in person. To avoid paying a premium for rush shipping, it’s a good idea to place any online orders well in advance, while free shipping will still be an option from many retailers. If the window for free shipping has already closed, take care to avoid going over budget with extra shipping fees. Friends and relatives are likely to be understanding if a gift arrives a little late this year!

Build shipping time into shopping plans

And speaking of shipping, there may be more than just monetary considerations to keep in mind. According to PWC’s 2020 holiday outlook, online shopping will likely outweigh in-store purchases as consumers prioritize convenience, health and safety. This means that shipping companies, already very busy during the holiday rush, may be overwhelmed this year.

While the 2020 holiday season is sure to look different, there is still plenty of joy and fun to be had. By choosing a credit card that can help you save on FX fees for foreign transactions while earning cash back¹ rewards on your holiday spending, like the Home Trust Preferred Visa², you can start the new year off with a little something extra towards your credit card balance.

Visit our website to apply today.

¹ Cash advances, balance transfers, interest, fees and foreign transactions (including online purchases in foreign currencies) are not eligible for CashBack Rewards.
² This credit card product is not available in Quebec.

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