SF Holiday Celebrations on a Budget

           It’s holiday time and that means that there are parties and dinners and cocktail hours to attend almost every night for the next few weeks.  As the city gets all lit up for the holidays, and the flurry of activity begins, I keep trying to find a way to cut down on spending so that I can afford to take some vacation time to enjoy this time of year.  It can be difficult sometimes, especially since I was brought up to believe that it is rude to show up without a gift when you are invited as a guest in someone’s home.  However, I have found three things which you can easily purchase in San Francisco without spending exorbitant amounts of money.

         The number one gift that I have been buying lately is truffles.  There are several different truffles locations all throughout San Francisco where you can purchase the delicious chocolates in small packages.  My personal favorite is XOX Truffles, a North Beach location which offers small, delicious truffles in pre-packaged assortments starting at only $8.  The gift is considered thoughtful, it is enjoyed by everyone and it isn’t too expensive.

          Another gift which is regularly enjoyed when brought by a guest is the gift of flowers.  Flowers are easy to find in San Francisco.  Kiosks and vendors are situated all throughout the city, especially near the Financial District, and there are also numerous florists who can provide unique arrangements at a low cost.  For an even better buy, stop in at the San Francisco Flower Mart where wholesale prices make buying flowers for the holidays a step in the right direction.

          Finally, there is always wine.  Of course, you have to be careful when doing wine purchasing, because you want to get something good without spending a fortune.  I, or one, don’t ever have any idea what kind of wine is right to purchase.  Luckily, with San Francisco’s prime location near the heart of wine country, it is easy to find a selection of wines in nearly every store and most San Franciscan cashiers can point you towards the less pricey but no-less-impressive bottles.

          The holidays are a time to enjoy the people that you have in our lives.  And even more than that, they are a time to indulge ourselves a little bit in life’s finer pleasures.  Chocolate, flowers and wine make the top of my list this holiday season and I’m thrilled to live in a city where they are readily – and relatively inexpensively! – available.

Comments

[Kerry Chey Jones]

Thanks for the info, good blog!
Managing your money during the holidays is simple once you know the pro's and con's involved. Reevaluating how you shop during the holiday seasons is also a part of sensible money management. Setting spending limits where your credit is concerned is always the best bet. Hope you will find those resources useful for your blog and to your many readers. Have a super day!