Love Actually may be more than just my favorite movie for the holiday season. It ranks up there with my favorite movies of all time. However, it’s especially necessary to watch this movie when the holidays roll around.

The overall message in the movie is obviously that love can be found all around, at every turn. But in addition to that message, there are a lot of examples of frugality in the movie. And it’s plain to see that most of the “frugal gestures” in the movie prove to be the mosts meaningful and most romantic.

So without further ado, here are 5 of the frugal lessons that I was able to get out Love Actually. I hope you enjoy!

Note: Spoilers abound. If you haven’t seen this movie, rent it or borrow it immediately. Then read on!

Grand Gestures Go Further Than Expensive Presents

When you really care about someone, it can be tempting to show them you care by buying them something pricy. But this is rarely the best or most memorable route to go. Think back on some of the most unforgettable gifts you’ve ever received in your life. Chances are they are not the most expensive gifts you’ve ever received.

Love Actually is full of grand gestures which is one of the things that makes it one of the great romantic comedies out there. One character who is ashamedly in love with his best friend’s wife chooses to share his feelings with the help of some very inexpensive materials: some poster board, a marker and some holiday music. The gesture cost him pretty much nothing and yet is probably the most memorable of the movie.
It doesn’t take much money to show someone just how much you care about them. Just take the time to think out a memorable way to show your feelings and your “gift” is bound to make a lasting impression.

Learn a Skill

Learning a skill for a loved one’s benefit could also be considered a grand gesture, but specifically, it can be one of the most meaningful gifts one could ever hope to receive. In the movie, Jaime (played by the incomparable Colin Firth) falls in love with a Portuguese woman. To proclaim his love at Christmas, he prepares by learning some of her language. His proposal in somewhat broken Portuguese is the epitome of romantic and reveals that he is not the only one who had been taking language classes. She had been learning English so that should could communicate more easily with him.
Even the ten-year-old kid in the movie knows the value of this kind of gift – he teaches himself to play the drums as a sort of gift for his crush, Joanna.
You can take this kind of idea and apply it to any situation. Are you a lousy cook? Spend some time mastering the art of preparing a certain dish and then present it to your spouse. Have a keyboard that you don’t play? Teach yourself to play someone’s favorite song on it. And if you have a sweetheart that loves to dance, use YouTube to pick up some tips on simple ballrooms steps and sweep them unexpectedly off of their feet.
No one is expecting perfection when you give a gift of this nature. It truly is the thought, and the effort, that counts.

Spending Time with Family Matters

How many movies/songs/books have there been about being home for the holidays? More than I can count, for sure!
We are bombarded with the message, especially around this time of year, but time is more valuable than any “thing” could ever be.
In Love Actually, Laura Linney’s character has a brother she has to care for who is mentally unstable. When it comes down to her having a dream night with the man she’s been in love with for years, her brother has some kind of problem and she has no choice but to go be there for him (despite being devastated that her dream night is ruined.) But the message is clear. Family is important, and the holidays are the perfect time to show how much you care.
Whatever type of family your “family” may be, it is most important to devote your time to those people you love most. And fortunately time doesn’t cost you much at all.

Support Local Schools and Get Cheap/Free Entertainment

The big Christmas concert is what brings most of the characters together at the end of the movie. All of their connections lead them to one place where they support the kids in their local school system.

Most public and private schools have choirs, bands, orchestras, theater programs, etc. that somehow get into the holiday spirit. At my high school, we had an annual holiday concert that featured all of the music programs/groups in the school. There was this great tradition where alum were invited up to join the kids in singing the ever popular “Hallelujah Chorus.” It always filled me with joy to see the choral risers completely crammed with people who wanted to take part in this holiday tradition.

For free or cheap, you can add a middle school or high school concert to your December calendar. You may not catch the Prime Minister making out with one of his employees, but you’ll support the kids and the arts in your town and get a side of holiday cheer!

At the End of the Day, You Just Want to Be With People You Love

Toward the end of the movie, has-been pop star Billy Mack (played by Bill Nighy) finally gets the comeback he’s been working toward. When his record hits number 1 on the holiday billboard charts, he is immediately flooded by invitations to lavish Christmas parties, including one hosted by Elton John himself.
At first, Billy attends the party, thinking that this is what he has been working for: going back to the days where he had money and status and the ability to party all day and night without consequence. But before long, he ends up back at his manager’s apartment. After living the frivolous life of a pop star, Billy realized that the only real personal connection he made in his life was with his manager. And in the end he leaves Elton’s glamourous party to be with “the people he loves,” which, surprisingly to him, turns out to be his manager.
This isn’t to say that glamourous holiday parties aren’t nice, or that it’s not worth it to splurge a bit and treat yourself. But it’s important not to lose site of what’s important. Like the movie says, love, actually, is all around. And luckily, it’s free. Take advantage of it in plenty, not only during the holidays, but the whole year round.

Are you a fan of Love Actually too? What are some frugal lessons you’ve gleaned from the movie? Or do you have another favorite holiday movie that you’d like to talk about? Either way, please share your thoughts with us in the comments section below. Happy holidays and thanks for being a Tip Hero!

Photo credit: atomic popcorn, Are You Screening?, Wikia