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Christmas can be a wonderful time, but can be stressful. Find out tips to keep your Christmas Budget in check and avoid these budget busters!
Top 10 Christmas Budget Busters
It's hard to believe but Christmas is RIGHT around the corner!
It is so easy this time of year to pull out that credit card, plunk down a few more dollars, and spend so. much. more. than you planned for this year, completely blowing your Christmas Budget.
But you don't have to.
Here are 10 Christmas Budget Busters that can completely whittle away your Christmas savings, so take a few minutes today and make sure your spending is in check.
1. Shipping.
Do. not. pay. for. shipping.
For real.
Most stores offer free shipping with pretty minimal purchases starting around this time of year, and almost all stores allow you to pick up in store for free as well – and many are still offering curbside pickup this year. With shipping costing easily $6 – $10, you could blow your budget with a few unexpected purchases.
2. Stocking stuffers that cost too much.
In our house my kids love their stockings, but I work really hard to keep the cost of stocking stuffers to a minimum.
Here is a HUGE list of 101 Stocking Stuffer Ideas that are very inexpensive (MANY of them are even under $1)!
3. Gifts to just fill under the tree.
My kids typically ask for a few big (and a few small) items each year.
But oh so often, I'm tempted to buy them extra things just so they have more to open under the tree.
They don't need any of it.
Consider giving them the few things they really want, and then letting it go.
I hate the clutter come December 26th, and they really don't need much of anything.
Skip those extras this year.
(Download my Christmas Made Easy Checklist to track your Christmas List and Expenses as you go.)
4. Unnecessary family and friend gifts.
If you have a large extended family, consider as a group doing a white elephant gift exchange or choosing “secret Santas” ~ everyone will have just as much fun, and your whole family will drastically cut down on Christmas expenses.
And, if you love blessing people who bless you throughout the year (UPS drivers, garbage truck drivers, mail carriers, etc), consider baking a yummy treat for them instead of purchasing a gift this year if purchasing gifts isn't in your budget. A small act of kindness can go a long way to bless someone's day!
Side note: A few years ago I shared how just about felt gived out by the time December was over. I realized that much of this was because while I happily said yes to every place to donate early in the Holiday season, by the middle of December I was done: and so was my budget.
Since then my husband and I have an honest discussion about what we want to give together so that we can choose to give to those that we both feel most passionate about. (To see more on giving over the holidays, check out The Advent Conspiracy.)
5. Paying too much to trim your tree.
I love Christmas decorating.
Like, I. love. it.
But, I get almost all my decorations 90% off AFTER Christmas, unless I find them at the Dollar Tree.
If you don't have just what you want right now for Christmas, be patient.
Wait until December 26th (December 27th is even better), head out to the stores, and score some amazing deals for next year's Christmas tree.
6. Spending extra to decorate your home.
Just like it's way too easy to spend too much on tree trimmings, home decor can get out of hand at Christmas.
Fluff up what you already have on hand, head outside for some fresh greenery, and keep things simple by not over doing Christmas clutter.
7. Deals that are “too good” to pass up.
Sometimes I come across a deal (or two, or three?) that I think is just “too good” to pass up.
But unless it's something someone really wants for Christmas, it's just not worth ruining our budget for.
Skip those ones you really don't need, determine to stay on track, and make Christmas more about the season than stuff this year.
8. Purchasing extra gifts after you are done.
Once you're done shopping,
You're done shopping.
Determine this year to get your Christmas list checked off, and then don't go back to purchase more items that your family really can live without.
9. Wrapping paper.
Get wrapping paper 90% off at Target and other stores in January ~ last year we had to wait until January 4th, but don't miss that one this year.
10.The Christmas feast.
Last but not least, be mindful over the next few weeks of deals as you plan for Christmas.
Inevitably every store in town will put ham, turkey, veggies, and more on sale, so your mission this Christmas season is to watch for those deep discounts.
What else would you add to the list? I’d love to hear your thoughts – also check out the Guide To Building a Better Grocery Budget. You can do this!
Looking for more?
- How Much Do Real Families Budget For Christmas
- 6 Things You Need To Do Before Christmas Shopping
- Have You Created Your Christmas Budget?
- 50 Best Items To Pack In An Operation Christmas Child Shoebox
I must be stingy but 90% of my decorations I have had for years. I have given away many things as we have downsized since retiring. I love so many of my decorations they have such wonderful memories. I call our tree a memory tree. Russell has a second tree in his man cave. it’s decorated with ornaments related to his military service, favorite sport teams and his love for trains.
If your local Big Lots store, like mine, no longer offers a December 26 sale with all holiday items 90% off, mourn with me. I went hog wild two years in a row and was sad when the next December 26 rolled around with nothing like as dramatic on offer. I must have ruined things for everybody. Sorry.