This year, Purim is on March 9th and 10th, which means its time to start planning out your celebration. This is a great time to let loose and have some fun as you celebrate the iconic holiday; however, it is also a time when many people splurge way too much. There are many ways that you can cut back on money during this period of time though, which will help make your Purim celebration even more remarkable. These ten ideas will help you honor the story behind the celebration, have some fun, and embrace your budget without allowing it to stress you out.
1. Fast Responsibly
Part of the holiday does require some fasting, but this doesn’t have to be a burden if you don’t let it. A lot of people will overload their systems with expensive food or go after expensive foods when the fasting is over, which can really blow some of your budget. Instead of going overboard the day before, try to eat healthy foods that might sustain you longer. You should avoid foods that are considered junk, as well as alcohol and other sugary drinks. You might feel sick the next time if you load these into your symptom, which might force you to want to eat something just to soothe your stomach. In order to combat hunger on the day of fasting, you should try to drink as much water as you can. This will keep your stomach fulfilled while also preventing you from getting dehydrated.
2. Be Generous
Generosity is a key factor in the holiday, so try to exercise kindness as much as you possibly can. One of the best ways to do this is to offer items to the homeless and needy. You can create care packages with baked goods, hygiene products, and more. If you like to bake then it will be cheap to make large batches of cookies, small cakes, breads, and so on to fill the baskets with. You can also purchase bulk toiletries to add to each basket. This can help spread joy while helping you make a difference in the world. You can also be generous with your time by volunteering at hospitals and nursing homes.
3. Dress Up
Costumes are a great part of the celebration. However, they can be really pricey too. One of the best things you can do is reuse a costume that you already own. May it be something from Halloween or a production you were in, reusing an item will definitely save you some major money. Of course, you can also make your own costume. You should start by using items that you already have at home, so you don’t have to worry about spending too much. There are manycostume ideas online, including those that actually go along with the story surrounding the holiday.
4. Homemade Baskets
Creating baskets to hand out to loved ones is another fun aspect of the holiday. Many people choose to give out baskets from stores though, which can truly add to the cost of your holiday fun. Instead of giving your friends and family store bought baskets, you might try your hand at making your own baskets. There are a lot of great options to choose from when planning to make your own, so you might play around to see which method works best for you or make serval different kinds to suit others’ personalities. If you want your kids to join in on the fun, then you might help them make paper baskets. These are simple and cheap to make. They can also be filled with lighter items that kids can give to their friends.
5. Bake
Baking can be a great part of the holiday. This hobby will allow you to create traditional recipes that will help everyone celebrate the holiday for a lot less. You might consider going through your family’s recipes before you make plans. However, there are also a lot of recipes that you can check out online if you’re feeling like you want to try something new. You can bake everything from desserts to breads that will make your meal taste extraordinary. You can also use your baked goods to fill up your gift baskets for a low-price treat that will certainly satisfy your loved ones.
6. Shop Bulk
One of the best things that you can do for your holiday needs is shop in bulk. One of the first things you should consider is the food you plan to serve. You might want to buy larger packs of drinks and wine if they are available in your area. You can also purchase fruits, vegetables, baking supplies, and snacks in bulk to help curb the costs of your spending. Apart from that, there are many party supplies that can be purchased in bulk, which will definitely allow you to make a great impression on your guests. These can even be reused again and again, so you won’t have to worry about spending money in upcoming years.
7. Embrace Traditional Recipes
One of the best things about the holiday is there are so many traditional recipes to make. Many of these recipes are simple and incredibly cheap to make on your own. If you have family recipes to try out, then this is probably the best place to start. You can even have the elders in your family show you how to make the items if you’re not sure how to do so. Of course, there is always room to add more dishes to your table. You can check out some recipes online to see if there is anything that will appeal to your guests. It is often surprising how many fun dishes you can make in a pinch, so browsing around is crucial when planning. If you’re feeling ambitious, then you might also want to look into meals that may have been eaten hundreds of years ago. This can be an enlightening experience that will make the holiday memorable.
8. Reuse Mardi Gras Supplies
Many people look at Purim as a form of Mardi Gras. Since the holiday comes right after Mardi Gras, it is very easy to take all of your Mardi Gras décor and reuse it for your Purim celebration too. You can keep all of your themed items up to save you time and money during the celebration. Since Mardi Gras often uses masks and costumes, you can recycle what you use then and use it again for Purim. This can add a whole lot of fun to your celebration too, which will certainly make things memorable. If you don’t have Mardi Gras items to reuse, then you can always shop clearance. This will allow you to stock up on items that you can use year after year.
9. Join an Event
Instead of spending a fortune on having your own party, you might consider going to a community event instead. You should look at your local synagogue to see if there is anything planned for the holiday. Of course, many events will be word of mouth so ask around to see if anyone is hosting anything special that you might be interested in attending. You can also ask your friends and family about their plans for the holiday, as many people might be excited to host a party if they know people will attend. There are also community boards you can check out. With any luck, you’ll have lots of different options to choose from.
10. Stream Purim Music
When it comes to parties, a lot of people like to hire a band or spend too much money on music. You don’t have to do this for Purim though, as there are many free streaming playlists that offer Purim music. Even if you do want to enjoy live music during the event, you can have amateur musicians play along to the music you find. This will certainly allow you to have lots of fun without forcing you to spend a penny. You can even listen to the music before the party and make your own playlists if you’re not happy with the streaming options.
Purim doesn’t have to be an expensive holiday for it to be fun. With Passover rapidly approaching, you might find that you want to save more on Purim. These tips should help you have lots of fun, embrace tradition, and keep your budget under control.
