November 1st unofficially marks the beginning of the holiday season. You have probably been getting emails already, promoting big sales, pre-holiday exclusives, and décor on clearance… Clearance! It’s not even Thanksgiving yet.
No matter how much the industry tries to hype-up and rush along the season, it’s important to keep the true spirit of the holidays in mind. One way to check in with yourself during this busy time of year, is to intentionally set some budgets, not only for your wallet, but for your time and energy. The holidays are a time to get together with friends and family and show your gratitude. Who wants to be worried about shopping when there are cookies to be made and carols to be sung?
Whether you are a planner or a last-minute shopper, here are some tips to get you through this holiday season as stress-free as possible:
Make a List, Make a Budget
Spend some time taking inventory of all the people you plan to buy presents for and write them down in a notebook, a spreadsheet, or even a napkin. Then, think about how much money you plan on spending on each person, and jot those down as well. Add up all of those amounts, plus any wrapping paper, Christmas cards, or décor and this is your holiday budget. If you notice that final number is way bigger than you had anticipated, see where you can make some cuts. Do you have left-over wrapping paper you can use from last year? Are you crafty? Consider making some DIY gifts or baking big batches of cookies for some of your loved ones. Do your best to stay within your budget so there are no surprises when the credit card statement comes in.
Do Your Research
If you have specific gifts in mind, planning ahead is very helpful in getting the best deal. Black Friday sales have extended to the whole weekend, and even into the following week in many cases. Keep an eye on the “spam” folder of your email for sales, coupons, and free shipping deals. Don't be afraid to shop around and check online retailers, or even ask if an item can be price-matched in the store. Also do your research on shipping during December. The United States Postal Service recommends shipping or placing an order by December 15 to ensure you get it by Christmas Eve. Avoiding rush delivery and overnight shipping charges will help you stay within your budget.
Set Aside Time
Think back on past holidays and remember what stands out to you the most. What are your favorite memories and traditions? Also, what tends to cause you the greatest amount of stress? Try to plan for these things by starting early, simplifying, and setting aside time to be with loved ones. If holiday baking is important to you, put a day on the calendar now to spend baking. Pencil in a Friday night to watch a Christmas movie with your family and drink hot chocolate. Get your tree up and decorated early so you can enjoy it for the whole month! Keep these warm fuzzy holiday memories in mind when you get stressed out, and remember what the most important things are this holiday season.
