Staying Sane & Saving Money this Holiday Season

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Just kidding, I live in South Carolina and other than more people wearing sweaters it looks exactly like it looks all year. But the holiday season is here (and I’m talking Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanza… Whichever or all that you celebrate). There’s no question that the final quarter of the year is the most festive, but also the most stressful. So how do you stay sane, and save money, during the holidays?

As a kid, my family was very much quantity over quality. Which, at the time, was magical. I loved waking up to a hundred presents under the tree (between my sister and me) and spending all morning unwrapping them. And while, sure, we got some quality gifts, in hindsight many of the gifts weren’t appreciated as much as they should have. Now that I’m an adult I am cringing at the fact that I’m fairly certain my parents put our holiday gifts on credit card each year, and who knows what else they could have bought with that money. Like a vacation. Yikes.

So as an adult, I’m fixing to save money this holiday season, and keep my mental sanity while I’m at it. No stressing over gifts, parties, or door busters. No calling the credit card companies asking for a credit increase. No crying in the back corner of the kitchen because the mac and cheese isn’t getting crispy. None of that stress. None of that debt. I think we’re doing a good job, and so far we have no complaints from the tiny human who narrates the joy in our home.

10 Tips to Stay Sane and Save Money during the Holidays

1. Start Early. I’m not saying you should start decorating for Christmas as you take down your Halloween decor. But you should absolutely start prepping your list (and checking it twice).
2. Make a Plan. Deciding what, and when, you’re going to shop is crucial. Also, determine up front how big you’re planning on going. Will each child have a limit based on price? Or will you choose a number? Are you going to theme the gifts (Something to wear, something to read, something they want, something they need)? Don’t go into the holiday season without the plan. Not only will you save money, but you’ll keep your sanity. Plans also help your budget, because you can decide which items are purchased on which paycheck.
3. Stick to your budget. Decide up front in your holiday plan your total budget for the holidays, plus the individual budget for each person. Then stick to it! Keep a running tally on paper to hold yourself accountable. You could invest in a holiday budget notebook, or just use separate sticky notes for each person. Paying with cash is a great way to make sure you stay on budget, especially accounting for tax and fees that might not mentally be added. Consider setting up an envelope for each person or kiddo, and purchasing their items separately.
4. Don’t give in to impulses. Last minute jitters are the worst. A week before Christmas you’re at the store for toilet paper and panic strikes. I don’t have enough! There’s not spirit of Christmas. Billy needs this hot toy because all his friends will have it. This is such a great deal! Don’t do it. You already made your plan, you have your budget, and you’re probably finished shopping because you started early. Do not give into impulses!
5. Think Longterm Gifts. The worst thing you can do it bring more clutter into your home. So chose gifts for your kids that you wont regret in the long run, or that they won’t get sick of. Anything with glitter can be automatically scratched off your list. No one needs that nonsense in their house. Same goes for slime, no fricken thank you. If it needs batteries, is the sound going to drive you crazy next week? Outside toys like sports equipment, bikes, etc can be used all year round, and get the kiddo out of the house. That’s a win win.
6. Don’t shop for parents. Once your friends and relatives have kids, kick them off the list. Shop for their kids, not the adults. Sorry Karen, but once you have Jamie and Jimmy, they’re getting books and you’re getting squat. This goes both ways though- if you have kids, don’t expect your friends to buy you gifts either. Tell your parental friends early so they can save some cash too.
7. Make ornaments for family. My favorite holiday tradition that saves money (usually) on gifts, and makes a bigger impression, is making ornaments for the family. Each year we choose a different DIY ornament and make one per person or one per family, depending on the ornament. They are more personal than gifts, and through the years they help new parents fill their tree. I know my favorite part about the holidays growing up was looking at all the DIY ornaments that filled our tree. (Check out my DIY Ornaments pinboard)
8. Say “NO” to Secret Gift Exchanges. Ok, so these are fun and you might go home with something interesting that you enjoy. But most cases, unless the swap is themed or names are drawn from a hat and the gift giver knows who they’re shopping for, you’re probably going home with crap you’ll never use. On top of stressing out over a good gift, and paying for that gift. Instead of participating in these White Elephant nonsense traditions, use that $10 or $20 limit and buy yourself something nice to relax after the holidays are over.
9. Stay Home for the Holidays. This one gets a lot of flack whenever I suggest it in various groups, but it’s the best decision we ever made. You’ve heard the expression “home for the holidays”, so why do people feel the need to travel? Especially people with kids! Once you have kiddos, stay home. Let family come to you. Whenever possible (I know it’s not always the case) children should be able to wake up in their own bed  on Christmas Day and run downstairs (or down the hall) to their own living room. They shouldn’t be watching the departure list for delays, hunting down lost luggage, or dealing with Aunt Donna complaining about the turkey being dry. We all want to spend time with our family, I get it, but you are your own family too. Build your own traditions with your nuclear unit on the holiday itself, and if the travel isn’t too much to handle then visit extended family before or after the holiday. But don’t let traveling shadow the family time.
10. Life isn’t a Competition. There’s been a lot of posts circulating on social about limiting “Santa’s” gifts, since some parents don’t have the means to keep up with the magical expectations. And I totally agree. But the “modest holidays” concept should go beyond that. The fact of the matter is, you don’t need to decorate your yard with 5,000 lights, blow up figurines, a “Santa Stops Here” sign, and a lightshow synched to music. You don’t need to buy a new ugly sweater each year. You don’t need to have 75 different side dishes, a fancy table scape, and a vocal quartet at dinner. Stop trying to go bigger and better than your neighbors, and remember what these holidays are about- Family. Friends. Unity. Celebration. Joy. Spending time together.