Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Create a Peaceful Holiday Season

With the holiday season fast approaching, it’s that time of the year when we get together with our loved ones and celebrate. For our family, we have two birthdays before Thanksgiving, those seem to kick off the season of celebration!

Thanksgiving and Christmas are undoubtedly one of the most joyful times, but it can also be one of the most financially stressful.

However, I’m here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be that way. Get your copy of an Ultimate Christmas Planner to help you start planning now!

I recently had the pleasure of discussing Planning for the Holidays with Laura Nechanicky-Booth Infinite Clarity. She shared some great insights on how to communicate with your spouse about expectations and planning for the holidays.

You can find that discussion on Facebook here. This was our first FB Live, and it shows! I’ll apologize now for the close-up view :)! As often as we can, Laura and I have a discussion on Instagram. Our series in Marriage & Money on Mondays. We would love for you to join us!

Laura and I also discussed the new Ultimate Christmas Planner.

Author Notes

“Balance your financial priorities with your family’s happiness and well-being.” – Melinda Chapman

The Ultimate Christmas Planner has 24 printer-friendly pages with:

  • 15 In-Depth Money Saving Tips
  • Gift List
  • Grocery & Holiday Meal List
  • Budget Sheets
  • Gratitude List
  • Daily, Weekly, Monthly & Year End Goal List
  • And more!

Let’s talk about budgeting, saving, and preparing for the holidays without breaking the bank!

Get Honest with Yourself and Your Budget:

The first step to a stress-free holiday season is to create a budget. Those numbers and spreadsheets we sometimes like to avoid need attention. But trust me, it’s the true guide to a successful holiday season and to help keep spending in check.

It may seem daunting at first, but knowing where your money is going will ease your mind. Once you have estimated your expenses, add them up to get your total budget.

Then, divide your total budget by the number of weeks left until January 1, 2024. This will give you a weekly spending limit.

Make a Gift List and Check It Twice:

Gift-giving is one of the most rewarding aspects of Christmas, but it can also be a significant expense and stressor. To prevent confusion and random purchases, make a list of the people you want to buy gifts for and keep it handy. Consider thoughtful gifts or experiences that create lasting memories. It may be an invitation to lunch, coffee, or dinner.  Maybe an outing that you’ve been talking about for months or even an ornament that has sentimental value. I’ve made it easy for you to make lists and create a plan with the Ultimate Christmas Planner

“Every dollar you spend is a vote for the future you want.”

– Mike Rowe

Start Saving Early:

The earlier you start saving for Christmas, the less strain you’ll feel on your finances. It’s not too late to open a dedicated savings account or stash cash in an envelope specifically for holiday expenses. Small, consistent contributions can make a big difference. My guess is you will see how helpful this can be and continue the habit in 2024.

Plan Your Meals Wisely:

Feeding the family has been more challenging for many this year. If you’ve always been the host for family gatherings, you may consider a potluck-style Christmas dinner, where everyone brings a dish to share. Make sure everyone is aware of who is bringing what ahead of time. It can be a waste if multiple people bring the same dish to a gathering.  Begin in early November by making meal plans so you can take advantage of sales and coupons while shopping for groceries.

Shop with Determination:

We’ve all been there – wandering through the aisles, tempted by every sale sign, and finding things we never knew we “wanted or needed.” Make a list of what you need and stick to it. Shop with a purpose, and try to complete your shopping early to avoid last-minute splurges. Online shopping can be a time and money saver by helping you compare prices to find the best deals. But online has the same pitfalls as in-store shopping. Make sure you have your list close by, and don’t stray into wants or buying just because it’s a “good deal.”

Spread Out the Expenses:

Christmas doesn’t need to be a one-time financial hit. You can spread out the expenses over the next several weeks. Ideally, you would start planning for Christmas in January, but even now, you can still create a plan that will be much easier on your wallet and, more importantly, your stress levels.

Don’t Forget to Slow Down:

The holiday season is the perfect time to refocus and create wonderful memories with loved ones. Whether it’s a cozy night by the fire, playing games, or baking cookies with your family. The simple moments are often the most cherished and remembered. You have the ability to influence how your children remember the holidays in years to come. Take time to focus on the love and joy, and create peaceful holiday memories.

“The borrower is slave to the lender.” – Proverbs 22:7 (KJV)

Boundaries and Scaling Back:

As wonderful as it is to celebrate with extended family during the holidays, it can also be financially and emotionally taxing. We’ve had to adjust and reset more than once. It’s not always easy or comfortable, but I can say that staying true to what we envisioned for our children was always the best choice. It’s okay to set boundaries when it comes to spending. You might decide to buy gifts only for immediate family or set a price limit on gifts. Your loved ones should understand, and it can relieve the financial pressure. If not, you may need to re-evaluate more than just gifts.

Communication is Key:

Open and honest communication is essential. I’m a huge proponent of getting it out in the open! Be Classy and Sensitive – as the old saying goes, “Better with honey than vinegar!”  Don’t assume your family knows your expectations. Talk to your family about your financial situation and set clear expectations for gift exchanges. Most often, family members will appreciate your honesty, and sometimes, they may even be relieved themselves!

Suggest Alternative Celebrations:

Instead of expensive gifts, consider proposing alternative ways to celebrate. Maybe attending a play, going out to dinner, a gift exchange with a budget limit, or even a family volunteer day could be more meaningful and less costly.

Remember the True Meaning:

Keep in mind that Christmas is about spending quality time together and showing love and appreciation for one another. It’s not about the material value of gifts. You may need to remind family and friends or share your values.  Having those conversations early can help you avoid regret and disappointment

“Stewardship isn’t about what you have, but how you manage what you have.” – Dave Ramsey

Create Memories, Not Debt:

A debt-free holiday season is a gift in itself. Focus on creating lasting memories with your loved ones rather than accumulating debt that can lead to stress in the new year.  If you really want to take a deep dive into your gift-giving, ask your loved ones, friends, and co-workers what they got for Christmas last year.  I promise you, it will make you evaluate how you spend on gifts this year!

Seek Support:

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure about your financial plan, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. I provide my clients with guidance and encouragement tailored to their unique situations.

Stay Positive and Flexible:

Finally, – stay positive and flexible. Life may not always go according to plan, or as we imagine it should, and that’s okay. Emotions can get high during the holidays.  If we admit it, sometimes we need to adjust our expectations, make the best of what we have at this moment, and keep the holiday spirit alive. Stress won’t make the season any merrier, but a positive attitude will.

I hope this added perspective helps you navigate the holiday season more smoothly. It’s all about finding that perfect balance between creating magical moments and keeping a healthy budget.

More about Laura

Laura is a licensed therapist, her practice is dedicated to supporting first responders and couples on their transformative journeys. With a wealth of experience helping individuals just like you, her mission is to help committed first responders and couples restore their spark and cultivate rich, fulfilling lives of intimate connections.

Connect with Laura

info@infiniteclaritycc.com

Would you like to be interviewed and featured on our blog or social media? We would love to hear from you! Schedule a conversation on my calendar!

Leave a Comment

Scroll to Top