ListPlanIt

While there is an expectation that the holidays should be a time for parties and giving and shopping and merriment, it is easy to get so caught up in what a person believes she should do, that she doesn’t realize until January that she has buried herself and her family under a mountain of debt and stress. Though it may be November and the children (and husband) are begging for the latest toys and gadgets, there are ways to have a meaningful Christmas without breaking the bank and starting yet another year off weighed down by Christmas credit.

The key to affording the holidays is knowing our limitations. As Americans, we believe we are entitled to all that the stores and internet have to offer. And while the Spirit of Giving is strong during the holiday season, we must recognize the frivolity of giving beyond our means. The same is true for seasonal decorations, parties and meals, holiday events, and charitable giving. Creating a reasonable budget, based on what you actually have is a good way to start. It may be tempting to say to yourself, “I only have $500! That will never pay for the kind of holiday season we are used to or the one that my children have come to expect!” This should be viewed as a good opportunity to get back to the kind of Christmas that emphasizes family and tradition. Be honest with your family. Though they may not fully understand now, the effect may be that they learn what is truly valuable to them.

Though it may be too late to try to save money for this holiday season, a budget will give you an idea of what it would take for your family to have a reasonable and merry Christmas. One big advantage of creating a budget is that now you can use those numbers to help you start the day after this Christmas to prepare for the next. How much do you project to spend on gifts, decorations, entertaining, entertainment, and charitable giving? How much will you actually spend? Find the total and divide that number by 12 to find out how much money you should start to put aside each and every month for the next Christmas. Credit may sound very adult, but saving money is the responsible way to get the things you want.

A Christmas where everything is paid for in advance is a wonderful concept. It will free you to concentrate on your family’s idea of the true meaning of Christmas.

Jennifer Tankersley is the creator of 100 Days to Christmas, a daily dose of inspiration and motivation to help you prepare for the busy upcoming holiday season and ListPlanIt.com, which has over 400 printable lists and planning pages including everything you need to get prepared for Christmas! You’ll find calendars, daily to do lists, card lists, wish lists, gift lists, cookie/candy planner, party planning pages, holiday meal planning pages, grocery lists, and so much more.