Believe it or not, Christmas is just a little over 100 days away!
While it might seem premature to think about the holidays now, a little early planning can save us from the after-Christmas spending regrets that often linger well into the new year.
For many years, I was always stressed during the holidays.
There are just so many things to plan and do that I often spent the entire season overwhelemed and frustrated. Then Christmas would be over and I would feel sad that I didn’t take ore time to actually enjoy it.
A few years ago, a friend said she planned to be finished preparing for Christmas by December 1st! I was shocked by her statement.
I just didn’t see how that could be possible.
Then she told me her secrets, and today I’m sharing them with you too!
Forget the last-minute stress and the temptation to overspend.
This year, let’s prioritize smart spending over keeping up with others, and discover the true joy of giving without guilt or financial strain through savvy shopping, smart budgeting, and heartwarming holiday celebrations.
Together, let’s make this Christmas truly magical, filled with the love, joy, and gratitude that defines the spirit of the season!
But first we have to make a plan.
Can you believe it is just a little more than 100 Days until Christmas!
Truly none of us really wants to start thinking about Christmas now.
But if we take some time now to do a little planning, we can keep from experiencing any after-Christmas spending regrets that so many of us have experienced.
Follow these simple steps to keep more of your hard-earned money in your pocket and still enjoy everything the season has to offer!
Create a Christmas Budget
Come up with a realistic amount that you can afford to spend on Christmas gifts.
This is the very first thing you should do before you make a single purchase.
Yes, do it today this way you know ahead of time what you really have to spend as the holiday season gets closer with each paycheck.
Make a Christmas Gift list
Write down every single person you would like to give a gift to.
This includes your family, friends, co-workers, and service people in your life.
You might even want to keep your list in your purse in case you happen to find something while you are out shopping.
Assign spending amounts to each person on your list.
Obviously, you are going to want to spend more on your children than on your hairdresser, so plan accordingly.
You’ll find a gift list included in our FREE Christmas Planner.
Stick to your Christmas Plan
I think this is the hardest part. It is easy to get caught up in keeping up with the Jones’, however, remember you made a list long before the holiday rush came along to distract you.
Remember these two rules:
- Don’t give in to guilt. A lot of people spend out of guilt, and that is the wrong motive. The dollar amount doesn’t directly reflect how much we care about someone.
- Don’t let your emotions have control. Yes, you love that person, but that’s not a good reason to put yourself in debt over a Christmas gift.
Holiday Gift Guides
You’ll find something for everyone on your list. Our gift guides include gifts for:
- The Best Minecraft Gift Ideas
- The Best Gift Ideas for Book Lovers
- Best Gifts for Granparents
- The Best Essential Oil Gift Ideas
- The Best Gift Ideas for Hunters
- The Best Gifts for Teen Girls
- Best Harry Potter Gifts
- Best LEGO Gifts
- The Best Gift Ideas for Holiday Party Hosts
- The Best Gift Ideas for Fishermen of all Levels
- Gift Guide for Bakers
- Holiday Gift Guide for Campers, Hikers and Outdoors Lovers
- The Best Gift Ideas for Techies
- Best Barbie Gifts
- The Best Foodie Gift Ideas
- Best Unicorn Gifts
- The Best Gift Ideas for Young Readers
- Best Gift Ideas for Crafters
- American Girl Gifts
Shopping Deals
You’ll find lots of great money-saving deals posted every day.
You can also join our private Saving Dollars and Sense members-only group, where I share all of the deals and tips to help you save money during the holidays and all year long, too!
Christmas Planner
I am still offering this FREE Christmas Planner – This was my gift to all Saving Dollars and Sense readers last Christmas, but you can still get it this year.
We all want to give great gifts to those we love. The problem arises when we equate how much we love someone with the amount of the gift we purchase for them.
This is a mindset that needs to be broken!
Christmas doesn’t have to leave you feeling defeated financially.
This year, will you join me in creating the atmosphere for a wonderful holiday season for our families that is filled with faith, hope, and love?
Let us put aside our distorted thinking, mommy guilt, pride, and anything else that would seek to rob us of our joy during a time when the focus should be on celebrating what Love has done for us!
Together, we can create memories with those we love that will last long after any other gift we could ever possibly give!!
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