How to Make Next Christmas Affordable and Enjoyable

Christmas is an expensive and stressful time for many people. A large percentage of Americans go into credit card debt every year during the holidays and then spend the rest of the year (or a good part of it) trying to pay those bills off, just to repeat the same pattern the following year.

I used to wait until I got "caught up" in the holiday spirit to begin my Christmas shopping, but then I was forever playing "catch up" with my bills.

When I lost my income suddenly and become a stay-at-home mom of three young children, I had to find a better way to celebrate the holidays. In the process, I found a way to teach my children values and the true meaning of Christmas. You don't have to be a Grinch in order for Christmas to be relaxing and affordable - you just have to plan ahead!

Christmas is not an emergency. It comes every year, so you should budget for it just as you would do for any other annual expense. Then, when you have reached your goals, stop. One of my big failings in past years was that once I had gifts for family and friends, I just kept on buying and expanding my gift list.

Here are some other tips to you help you sail through the holidays blissfully:

Start Early

One of the best times to shop for next Christmas is right after this Christmas. That's when all the sales are! One year I found some darling little oil lamps on clearance at Walmart. Some had miniature pine cones inside and others had little green, red, or gold beads. For some reason they hadn't sold, and I was able to pick up 20 a few days after Christmas for $1 apiece. I squirreled them away with my decorations, and the following year pulled them out in December. Voila! Nice gifts for the teachers of all three kids, plus extras for those unexpected people with whom you didn't expect to exchange gifts.

Use a Wish List

It is hard to plan ahead for children. One week they can't live without something, and the following week they have totally lost interest in it. In order to help my kids distinguish their wants from their whims, I post a Wish List on our refrigerator and encourage them to add to it all year long.

This not only makes it easy for you to get the right item when it goes on sale, but it ensures that the kids will be pleased with what they receive.

Make It Yourself

There are loads of great craft and gift ideas that you can make at home for far less than the cost of store-bought items. However, you need to spend time doing this when you are not rushed with a million other holiday activities. Any kind of personalized items (with a photo, for example) or home baked foods are usually appreciated. There are many variations on the "Gift in a Jar" theme that are thoughtful and inexpensive.

Shop Yard Sales

Garage sales are an excellent resource for stocking stuffers, and sometimes you can find new or like new items for a fraction of the store cost.

Host a Discovery Toy Party

Last year I received $275 worth of free merchandise by hosting a party for a friend in September. I was able to select nice gifts for my nieces and nephews, my own children, and "Toys for Tots" without spending a penny.

If you make a list, plan ahead, and shop at your leisure, you won't get caught up in the shopping frenzy when the holidays arrive. You'll have time to bake cookies and enjoy some family time instead. Happy Holidays!