How to Plan for Holiday Gift Giving and Reduce Stress
I grew up among women who knew how to manage their money. One aunt in particular became a widow, with four young children to raise alone. She had to budget her money in order to survive, and it’s interesting that all her adult children manage money well.
From the time I entered the workforce and received my first paycheck, I discovered the importance of managing money. How it slipped away very quickly if not looked after properly.
Christmas is a time for gift-giving and can be stressful whether money is plentiful or in short supply. Planning a budget will enable you to focus on the $ amount allotted for this purpose. If you never planned for holiday gift giving before and would like to try it; here’s six suggestions on what you can do.
Understand the Importance of Planning a Budget
Have I always had a budget? The answer is no, but I always strived to live within my means. When I didn’t, the potential was there to overspend and that caused undue stress. The key to living within your means is ensuring you’re not spending more than what you have as an income. That’s where a budget comes in handy. Whether you use a computer or a notebook, keeping track of your monthly expenditures allows you to see where money is spent on a regular basis.
Set Funds Aside for Gift Giving
My husband and I have a blended family that consists of 6 children and their partners, along with 10 grandchildren. With 22 family members to purchase gifts for, we prepare in advance by setting funds aside each week from our income for gift giving. We call this our “Gift Fund.” A simple concept but it works well for us. The ideal time to start is in January, and it’s such a blessing to have funds available for buying gifts for those you love.
Stick to the Allotted Amount for Gift Giving
Be realistic in what you can afford for gift giving. Think it through then stick to what you’ve allotted for this purpose. Instead of per gift, some may prefer per family. Do what works best for you. This will enable you to resist the urge to overspend. If the urge does come, remember your goal to stick within your budget. Being successful in managing your money in this area, will motivate you try it in other areas of your finances.
Get Creative in Gift Giving
We want to give our friends and family gifts they will enjoy. Choosing the perfect gift is not always easy. Many people today like gift cards as they can choose for themselves what they need or want to purchase. Other love home-baked treats, or a gift-bag filled with various practical items. A person alone may enjoy being invited out for a meal, to a concert, or movie theatre. Time spent with someone is often the best present you can give them. It’s not the most expensive gifts that are treasured, but the ones given from the heart.
List of Names and Gifts Purchased
Being organized is beneficial in planning for gift giving. Who’s on your gift list? Write down their names. When you have their gift, note what it is beside their name. This enables you to keep track of the gifts selected for those on the list. I recommend having a tote or special place designated to keep these gifts. What a blessing to know where a gift is when you’re ready to give it.
Eliminate the Hassle of Last-Minute Shopping
Plan early for holiday gift giving and avoid the hassle of last-minute shopping. This eliminates the need to run to and fro, fighting crowds in stores, along with limited parking spaces. Time is precious, and having extra hours during a busy holiday season is greatly welcomed.
Christmas is a wonderful time of year, when people love to give. Mankind received the best gift ever through the birth of Jesus. He is the reason we celebrate Christmas, and when we focus on Him; we will have peace, love, and joy fill our hearts and minds all year long.
Anne-Marie Madore is the author of, God Said, “I WILL” Promise Book. She also writes a weekly post on her God Inspired Blog. Visit her website at anne-mariemadore.ca.
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