Galery

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Easter is a family holiday, and family holidays require money, even for a trip to your parents’ house or friends. The decision to spend the holiday with your family certainly brings a lot of joy, but there are also some not very pleasant surprises.

We all know that happy family moments can become unbearable very easily. On the one hand, there are all the things that need to be done - shopping, egg dyeing, etc., and, on the other hand, there is the whole flurry caused by the many people that have gathered in one place. Thus, the weekend around Easter can easily turn into an unpleasant experience.

We may have a great desire to get together with the whole family and spend the holiday together, but often "happiness" is simply not in our hands.

Here are some ideas about the ways in which we can have a good time without being bored and mostly without wasting the days off.

Fresh air

At Easter, the weather is almost always very nice and suitable for walks. Go outside, take a walk, run, cycle and do whatever you like. Another option is to organise a small picnic in the park or even on a bench in the town centre. All you need is a good mood.

New activities

Do something that you have never done before. If you are one of those people who are always busy with professional and family responsibilities on all other days, try to find a new occupation during the days off.

Just do not waste your free time on the couch watching TV as you do on all the other days. Look for new things and try to involve your family and friends in them, if you want to of course.

The book - the best friend

The familiar excuse, "I love books, but I do not have time to read" may not be valid in these days. Take your favourite books with you or the ones that you have constantly postponed reading, make yourself a lovely coffee, sit on the balcony or in the nearest park and enjoy one of the most relaxing and enjoyable activities.

Family moments

The traditional Balkan family is wonderful in many ways, but moods often go beyond the bounds of the acceptable and then balance and patience is needed in order to deal with the situation. In order to save yourself from the "murmuring" and frequent disputes about this or that at the festive table, arm yourself with large doses of patience. Since you cannot avoid them, at least enjoy them and retreat. Caution: Never attempt to convince others that you are right, because then you will most likely cause even more stress. Anyway, just before the end of the festive lunch everybody will love each other again.

At the back of beyond…

If you are one of those people who are lucky to have still living grandparents, visit them and spend time with them. They deserve it. Their life experience is a unique source of knowledge for the young. A conversation with them, no matter how much you may disagree with their words, will at least be interesting. Think about it, unfortunately, a day will come when you will not be able to do so. So grab this opportunity this year.

Alternative gifts

At Easter it is customary to give presents, whether or not you are godparents. This year, make the presents you want to give your relatives and friends on your own. In case you have a godson or goddaughter, decorate the most beautiful candle they have ever seen on your own.

Decorate the candle with tulle, pieces of cloth, ribbons, small toys and whatever you like.

Help

Select one of the days off and devote it to people who need support. Visit a charity foundation and contribute, not necessarily in financial terms.

This is just an option which it would be better became a habit, since people who live in nursing homes or abandoned children continue to exist after Easter, too.

At almost no cost

If you are worried that holidays are an opportunity for a short vacation only for financially stable people, you can find several ways in which to have a good time without exceeding your budget.

First, we must admit that on days off we always spend more money than on weekdays. After that, just try not to spend more than you have planned. How can se do this?

1. Set limits

Gift money cannot be refunded. Decide how much you can spend on gifts, only after you have foreseen the amount you will need for yourself. This year, Easter is early in the month, so it is very easy to spend more than we can afford. Bear in mind that you should set aside money that you will need until the end of the month.

2. Make a list

After all, Easter is not Christmas, and you're not Santa Claus either. Therefore, try to give more modest gifts.

3. Do it yourself! And why not?

When the list of people you will give presents to is ready, consider cheaper alternatives. Visit various bazaars that are organised during these days and which are full of a whole range of Easter gifts at various prices. Anyway, the fact that a gift is expensive does not necessarily make it nice. If you do not have such opportunities, just create presents yourself.

4. Devote time

Parents, partners, children and friends do not need gifts, but just some of your time. Give them your attention generously and your Easter vacation will have a different meaning.

5. The big feast

Of course, Easter is not the same without an Easter feast. But what is the solution if your finances are bad? The "family" will save the day in this case, too.

No matter whether it is your own family or a circle of friends who are very close to you - just dedicate them your time, as described in section 4, and in return you will receive a generous Easter lunch. Sounds fair, right? And since May is long, remember to take boxes of food to take home when you leave.

Remember that you need to contribute something to the festive table. Make a cake or buy fruit and a bottle of wine.

6. Easter Scrooge

The truth is that no matter what advice we hear, the financial situation is tight and it certainly will not change any time soon. Searching for "magic solutions" is just a waste of time that will only bring you a bad mood. Do not let your bad finances turn you into an "Easter Scrooge" and do not yield to stress at least during these particular days.

Spend time with friends and family (although it will cause discussions about money, but as we said, have patience) and relax away from the stress of everyday life. Anyway, as of next week, everyone will go back to their own financial "stress".