Hey, guess what! Christmas is just around the corner, and if you haven’t noticed, everyone is grabbing for a swipe of your debit card. There’s nothing worse than spending the Christmas season worrying about money, so why not make a plan (aka a Christmas budget) and stick to it this year?
The first step in making a Christmas budget is to make a couple of lists. First, write down everyone who you would like to bless with a gift this year. Yes, everyone. Don’t forget to include even the smallest gifts. They still need a place in the budget. Next, list the non-gift items that are part of Christmas shopping, like wrapping paper, candy for stockings, etc. List anything that you do not ordinarily buy that will be purchased during the Christmas season.
Now take a breath. It’s going to be ok.
Next, you have to determine how much money you have set aside for Christmas. Hopefully, you thought about that before now, but if not, you’ll have to look at other places in your normal spending that may not get as much money this month. Perhaps you skip purchasing any clothing this month or skip eating out for the month. Whatever your circumstance, come up with an amount of money that you can use this month just for Christmas expenses. If you have set aside money all year for Christmas, that is your spending amount.
It’s time to put pencil to paper.
You may want to literally create a column of recipients and a column subtracting each person’s or item’s budgeted amount. Or if you are a spreadsheet nerd, you can go that route. I personally like to use a fun app called Santa’s Bag. It helps with budgeting, but also with keeping up with what I have already bought and what I still need to buy.
Here’s the hard part.
When you get to the end of the money, you have to stop buying things. I know, I know. I’m such a Scrooge. But remember, the reason you are making a Christmas budget and sticking to it is to enjoy the season and not be stressed out about it. Try to picture yourself on the other side of Christmas with a $0 fresh start instead of a negative balance. It is very freeing! And at that point, if you were not happy with the amount of money you got to spend on Christmas this year, you can put back more each month for next year.
Think outside the giving box.
If you find yourself looking for ways to give something that costs little or no money, try out these ideas.
- Bake something for your recipient. Don’t forget to include the recipe.
- Give experiences instead of things. Time spent together is much more valuable than gifts that gather dust.
- Make something meaningful. Some people balk at this idea, saying they are not creative. But how about a handwritten note. It will be around longer than any store-bought gift you can think of.
- Give a gift of time. Offer to do something during the year that you know your recipient dislikes. It’s the gift that gives all year!
Remember why we celebrate.
If you find yourself still unhappy about what you are able to give this year, remember why you are giving. Take a good, hard look. Are you giving for the recognition you will receive? Or are you giving because you have already received so much? Christmas giving is not a competition. Those you love will not think poorly of you if you are not able to give the best of the best gifts of the year. If they do, that is a problem they have. And that’s a whole other blog post!
So take a step. Create that Christmas budget and stick to it. And enjoy this season of giving, not just the season of spending. You’ll be glad you did.
What are your favorite ways to budget for the Christmas season?
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, remembering that as members of the same body you are called to live in harmony, and never forget to be thankful for what God has done for you.
Colossians 3:15