Christmas is stressful financially. Finding frugal ideas to save on the Christmas budget takes creativity. As many moms have a lot of creativity, this comes from balancing money. Creating a Christmas budget takes discipline and sticking to a budget takes discipline. At Christmas time it takes A LOT of discipline.
Our family is large, not as large as some, but four children plus extended family is expensive. Over the years I have collected several frugal ideas’. My mom was a great frugal shopper at Christmas. She had to buy gifts for 10 people on a very small amount of money.
Creating the Christmas Plan
Knowing each year who your family will be buying for sets the standard for how many gifts will be bought at Christmas. Save the previous Christmas list to remember what amount was spent on each person.
Remember, it is not how much you spend. Also, it is not what is bought, but truly the thought.
Frugal Ideas to Set the Christmas Budget
Each year the amount should be agreed upon in January. Husband and wife sitting down together to plan how much to be saved toward Christmas monthly. My husband and I attempt this each year.
Save $20.00 a month, then this amount will go towards whatever is needed closer to the date. Something is better than emergency plan B ( I used to skip bills at Christmas to buy gifts). Not the smartest idea, nor did it help me in January.
I have learned after four children to plan for the next month or year in the current month and year.
Frugal Ideas To save on the Christmas Budget
Four ways to save. Ready?
Simple truth…not everyone needs a bought gift. Cookies are a great and consumable.
Set a dollar amount and take only that amount to the store.
The dollar tree has wonderful candles.
Buy items in bulk and make multiple gift baskets.
I am like everyone else and love to give gifts. The idea of gifts has changed for me over the years. It has really become the thought more than the amount.
Start Planning In January
Make resolutions that will last. Set up a short time to implement a planning session. Plan menu’s for the year, homeschool curriculum, the upcoming budget, sports, and all of the holidays. When the event comes around you can walk over to your file and grab the necessary plans.
Saving money really starts at the planning stage. In addition to saving is discipline, which is part of the final ingredient. Let me know in the comments how you plan for your year to save money at Christmas.
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