Are you thinking about Christmas yet? I know it’s early. Some of you may even be complaining about the Christmas items showing up in store already. However, if you want to save on your holiday gifts and prevent overspending, you need to start planning now. Don’t get stuck with a mound of bills and buyer’s remorse during the new year. These easy tips will help get you on the right track to rock your holiday budget this year.
The Numbers
According to an article published last December on Mintlife.com “mothers expect[ed] to spend $224 on average for gifts for each child” and a similar amount on their spouses (How Much to Spend on Christmas Gifts for Kids by Mary Hiers). For a family of four, that adds up to over $600! That number doesn’t even include extended family, friends, and coworkers. Also, that is just what the women surveyed planned to spend. How many people do you know (or perhaps have had it happen to you) that have been remorseful of overspending after the holidays? Planning early can help you avoid this because remorse has no place in a season that is supposed to be filled with joy and love.
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Determine Your Total Budget
The first step in planning is determining your total holiday budget. This step is crucial to preventing over-spending. Before you buy any gifts or even brainstorm gift ideas, sit down and think about what you realistically have to spend on gifts. If your budget looks too small to fulfill all of your gifting needs/obligations, don’t worry. I can help you achieve an amazing holiday on a small budget.
Allocate Funds
Once you determine what you truly have to spend, it is time to divide that total amount among all of the people on your list. Obviously your immediate family is going to get more of the budget than friends or coworkers and that’s okay. Don’t worry if you are staring at only five to spend on a friend. Again, I can help you with that.
Plan for DIY Projects
The caveat is that a small budget requires early planning and often a lot of do-it-yourself ideas. Lucky for you that you have a secret weapon: DIY Adulation.
Starting now, subscribers will have access to a VIP only holiday page that will have a new frugal DIY gift idea every Saturday! This exclusive page will help you create beautiful, handmade gifts for every person on your list that they will actually want. How do I know it can be done? I know because I have been doing this for our family for years now.
The Challenge
Every year we have saved more and more on gifts. This year’s goal is a $500 budget. Yep, $500 for all of the 30 people on our shopping list. Sign up for our newsletter and be a part of this holiday journey now with a free printable Holiday Gift Budget available only to subscribers. You will also get to see our family’s budget at the end of the season to see if I achieve the $500 holiday goal! Join the challenge and save on holiday gifts this year!
Make this your most joyous holiday season ever by avoiding the overspending remorse later. You can do it and I’ll be here to help you along the way.