Surviving the holidays with your sanity intact
This year may look a little different, but the holiday season is always special time. With an ever-growing list of people to shop for, it’s easy to get carried away. The pressure to over-shop and overspend when you’re rushing to buy everything on your list can be overwhelming. It can be especially hard these days, as we spend more time inside and shopping from our phones. No worries, though; we’ve got you covered!
Here are some fantastic pre- and post-holiday tips to ensure you’ll have a holly, jolly December without breaking the bank.
6 Pre-Holidays Tips
1. Revise your gift list
Gift giving is a treasured tradition, but chances are, lots of the people you exchange gifts with would be as relieved as you’d be to be taken off your list. Narrow down your gift list. Talk to coworkers and acquaintances about just exchanging cards this year, or make a deal to only exchange homemade or inexpensive gifts. This way, you can focus on buying special gifts for those closest to you instead of generic gifts for everyone you’ve ever met and their cousins, too.
2. Organize a virtual Secret Santa
Still got a gift list that’s a mile long? A virtual Secret Santa activity not only saves money and stress, but can be done through the mail in an entirely safe manner in regards to Covid-19. These swaps are great for families and virtual office parties or neighborhood get-togethers. They do take a little planning, but there are various websites online that outline how to put together a virtual Secret Santa. The best part is that everyone involved only needs to purchase a single gift.
3. Bake holiday treats
Another great way to reduce the financial weight of your gift list is to break out the baking supplies and start whipping up your own holiday treats instead of buying gifts. It’s hard to know exactly what your friend will like as a gift, but hardly anyone turns down a tin of homemade holiday cookies! This is another safe and socially distant way to share holiday cheer. Just be sure to pick up some extra ingredients the next time you do your grocery shopping to avoid the holiday rush. Use your favorite traditional recipes, or try something new and different.
4. Make a budget and stick to it
This tip sounds a bit obvious. After all, we all plan to stick to a budget, right? But make this the year it really happens! Don’t set yourself a ballpark budget. Set an absolute limit to how much you will spend on the holidays this season. This will encourage you to plan your spending rather than grabbing impulse items as you move through a store. It will also encourage you to look for great deals, which brings us to our next tip.
5. Make use of holiday deals … but don’t get distracted
It’s easy to become hypnotized by deals. Prices drop and we go wild, spending more than we originally intended because we don’t want to miss out on those “crazy, low holiday prices.” Take a deep breath. Make use of these deals wisely by buying items on your list at a discounted price. But don’t be tantalized by the deals to the point that you buy things you don’t really need … or even want.
6. Rethink giving
We know that the holidays are all about giving, but giving doesn’t need to mean spending money. Instead of making another online order, think of other ways you can give that will help improve your community, make the world a better place, and truly brighten someone’s holiday.
It’s the perfect time of year to donate to local soup kitchens, homeless shelters and charity organizations and donations can often be made in the names of friends or loved ones. (Just be sure to get permission to donate in their name first.)
2 Post-Holiday Tips
1. Use those gift cards
Gift cards are a typical holiday gift, but many people forget they have them, and they go unused. Put all of your gift cards in your wallet and spend them creatively. Maybe you don’t care for coffee on the go, but you can buy a package of ground coffee beans at Starbucks and use it at home. Use that iTunes gift card to rent a movie instead of taking the family out. Whatever it might be, use these gift cards and appreciate them for what they are — money in your wallet.
2. Save early for next year
Start a Holiday Savings account to begin saving for purchases you know you want to make next year. The best part? You've already set your holiday budget goals for this year and hopefully with these tips, you've been able to stick to it. Set your goal for next year to be the same amount and try to deposit a little money each month. You'd be surprised at how much less stress it is to know you already have your holiday budget started.