Have a Stress-Free Christmas This Year

Many people feel stressed during the holidays because it has become so expensive, and many people just can’t afford it anymore. This blog explains the benefits of planning early so that you can really enjoy the holiday season. It also gives creative ideas on how to budget for your holiday expenses and how to stay within that budget.

Bah humbug! You are probably thinking it is way too early to worry about the holiday season. Chances are, you have become one of those people who hate the idea of shopping for gifts during the holidays, so you put it off. Each year more and more people procrastinate, waiting until the week before Christmas to begin their shopping.

The International Council of Shopping Centers found that $7.58 billion in sales were made on the Saturday before Christmas and 23 million people shopped on Christmas Eve. Is it any wonder why people get frustrated during the holidays, with all of those people out at the same time? Don't be one of that people this year. Plan and finish your holiday shopping early.

Start with a Budget

Make a strict budget and stick to it. If you have not already done so, start saving a little money each week for holiday spending, so that you do not have to rely on credit cards. Giving up a couple of cups of coffee or taking your lunch to work a couple of times a week, will save you a little extra money. Take those savings, and build your holiday fund. Estimate the amount is that you can save, also consider your other sources of income. You must also allow for other expenses that you might incur this holiday season. Are you going to be attending any business parties where you might need a new wardrobe? Will you be buying extra food for a family function at your own home? After considering what you can realistically spend, begin your shopping list.

Make a List and Check it Twice

This allows you to control your budget, by deciding what you can spend on each person. Once you have decided what to spend on each person, make sure that you have not exceeded your total budget. You may need to shorten your list or change your budgeted amount for some of the people on your list. No matter what, stick to your budget!

Find Creative Solutions to Gift-giving

For those of you who are stressed because you really have nothing to budget, there are some simple solutions to holiday gift-giving. Times are hard everywhere, and lots of people need to keep their money for mortgages and bills. Remember, family and friends, are going to understand. They may also be in the same situation. Before others start buying gifts for you, suggest getting together instead of a gift or set a $10-$15 maximum amount to spend on each
other. If the family is getting together, recommend the "Yankee swap" game. Each person brings an inexpensive, wrapped gift to the party and places it in a pile with the other gifts. Everyone draws a number to see the order in which each person will take a gift.

The first person must choose a gift from the pile and open it. The second person can take the first person's gift or take one from the pile. This continues until everyone has a gift. It is best from all of the other gifts or takes the last wrapped gift. If a person has their gift taken, that person can take another from the pile. This is a fun game that everyone can enjoy. Best of all, everyone in the family can save a little extra by not having to purchase gifts for everyone.

Another alternative to spending lots of money on a gift is to make something from the heart. If you love to bake, fill up decorative tins with colored tissue paper and your famous cookies or brownies For candy lovers, fill up tins with an assortment of candy. There are lots of alternatives to buy an expensive gift.

Don't Procrastinate

Begin your planning now so that you do not have to rush around the last week of Christmas. You can enjoy your holiday much better if you finish your shopping early and stick to your budget. Start thinking about how you can be creative this holiday season. You might even find ways to save yourself even more free time and money. Don't forget that the true meaning of the holidays is not about the size or price of the gift. It is not even about the gift at all.