If your finances are anything like ours, we are not able to ball out until we fall out. But, we still want to give the kids a festive Christmas with plenty of gifts. When your money is funny, the joy and fun of the holiday season escapes many and can become stressful and overwhelming.
The most important thing to remember is the holiday season isn’t about money and gifts but reflecting on family and the blessings you do have.
But…..gifts are nice to receive!
Over the years, I’ve developed a strategy to help me (& the hubby) to stay sane, lessen the financial disagreements and set gift expectations with the kids and other family and friends.
Accept each moment as a gift to be received with joy
Money and Stress Saving Tips for the Holiday
- Set a Budget: Look you know your finances best. Set a budget that will not have you in holiday buyers remorse in January. Create it. Stick to it.
- Plan Ahead: Decide now who you are buying gifts for and the $$ amount you will spend per gift. Decide. Stick to it.
- Make a Shopping List: Make a list and check it twice. Add the names from Step 2 and the $ amount + the store where you will purchase the gifts. Stay loyal to the list. Don’t add unnecessary items to your holiday gift list.
- Shop Online: Amazing savings can be found online. Sites such as Ebates, Amazon, and Ibotta offers additional savings that cannot be found in traditional brick and mortar stores.
- DIY Gifts: Hey, put your creative juices to work. To save money on gifts, make everyone Christmas gifts this year.
- Relax: Take a deep breath. It’s really not that serious to have the biggest Christmas tree, 100 presents under said tree or even have an enormous holiday food spread on Christmas day. Just relax. Do what you can. Get some sleep. Ease your mind. Enjoy your family.
- Date Your Spouse: One thing that always lessens my stress level is spending quality time with my husband. Don’t negate date night during the holiday seasons. Keep date night and quality time a priority.
This is the most joyous time of the year. Keep that joy front and center in your daily actions and thoughts. Create the holiday atmosphere you want to have.