Best Tip for the Holidays: Buy Within Your Budget

It seems to come with the holidays every year, the self-made promise to not over spend and to stay within the budget. The gift lists and frenzied spending at the holidays seem to multiply and produce until it seems to take a life of its own. Here we go again and without some serious preplanning, there goes the budget right out the window with the self-made promise. The holidays really don't have to be that way, we allow the spending to get out of control and wreak havoc on the budget. The end result is a whole lot of stress, over extended credit cards, and not enough joy or purpose for the holidays.

This year, why not try making that promise to yourself about the budget a reality by spending within your means. Credit cards can be the budget's worst enemy and believe it or not, you can learn to live without them. The holidays will still arrive and then they will all too quickly pass. Then any temporary fulfillment will also be quickly replaced with the credit card bills and a budget stretched to the breaking point. That's not what the holidays are about. They are to enjoy with family and friends. They shouldn't be budget-breaking, spend-a-thon competitions worthy of an Olympic category. Set a limit for the holiday budget and stick with it. I believe children should be at the top of the priority list and if the budget allows for others, then wonderful. If it does not and someone can't understand that, maybe a gentle reminder that they had their childhood already and that you would gladly purchase gifts for the entire family if the budget allowed. There are always exceptions to this, but I think that is a fair strategy for a tight budget.

After the holiday budget has been set and agreed upon by all, then think in terms of thoughtful gifts verses lavish gifts. If the budget allows for holiday gifts for adult family and friends, think about their true likes or needs. A holiday gift bought for the sole purpose of impressing someone with the cost, is a gift probably better left sitting in the store. An inexpensive thoughtful gift will mean more to someone than an expensive gift without any personal meaning. Sticking to the preset budget without the use of credit cards may send some into holiday spending "withdrawals", but the lack of credit card debt in January will suddenly have made the pain and suffering a worthwhile cause!

If Grandparents are on the holiday list, give the gift of a photograph. If you have holiday pictures of your children, buy an inexpensive frame and add a photo to give as gifts to Grandparents and other family members. Let the school age children write a sweet sentiment on the back of the photograph for a cherished memory. Children also love to make gifts for loved ones and this can be done for pennies. I can't think of a more heartfelt (or budget friendly) gift than one made by a child. If someone can't appreciate the gift of love from a child's heart and hands, then they probably don't deserve it anyway.

The same is true for homemade holiday gifts from adults. It can simply be the gift of cookies or candy. These can usually be made without breaking the budget. Make less of a recipe with expensive ingredients and then larger batches of simple cookies or dipped pretzels, etc. The holiday goodies don't have to be packaged elaborately. If the budget is super tight, buy holiday paper plates and put an assortment of cookies and treats on these instead of the more expensive holiday tins. Wrap the paper plate of treats with a plastic wrap and add a pretty bow. If baking is not your speciality but you are a crafter, then make an item customized for the recipient. A scrapbook or photo album is a great holiday gift that will help keep your budget happy. You can prioritize your holiday spending with a little planning and not feel like a scrooge. It's not always easy to control spending at the holidays, especially when giving to others brings more joy than receiving. Sometimes our budgets just won't allow for buying all we would like for everyone on our holiday lists, but if we give from the heart for the right reasons, I think it will show long after the holidays.