How to Budget for Christmas Gifts Without Holiday Financial Stress

 

Budgeting for December

When you have four young children, the holidays are incredibly exciting. You want your kids to be happy and genuinely thrilled with the gifts they receive on Christmas morning.  Even now that my children are older, I still love seeing their excitement as they open their gifts. 

However, December wasn't always joyful for me. For many years, the holiday season brought financial stress, credit card balances, and anxiety. Everything changed when I learned how to budget for Christmas gifts year-round and plan ahead for holiday expenses. 

Create a Christmas Gift Budget for Each Child

One of the best ways to save money during the holidays is to set a clear budget and stick to it. In our family, we typically spend $300 per child on Christmas gifts. I know every family is different-- some spend more, some spend less--but this amount works well for our household and keeps our holiday spending under control. 

The key is choosing a number that fits your family budget and committing to it before shopping begins.

Plan Your Holiday Budget in January

No-Spend January: How I'm Saving Money After the Holidays

I'm always ready to move on after the holidays are over. I truly enjoyed the season, especially getting time to see my oldest child who lives on the other side of the state. While it's still hard when he leaves, I'm incredibly proud of the adult he's become and the life he's built for himself. Thankfully, we stay connected with frequent phone calls and catch-ups, which helps ease the transition back to everyday life.

Now that the holidays are behind us, January is here, and reality sets in.

With the next round of college tuition payments coming due for our middle children, it's officially time for No-Spend January in our household. For me, that means spending money only on needs, not wants and being intentional about every dollar. 

What is No-Spend January?