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Christmas is the most exciting period of the year. It is a time where family and friends gather to celebrate the holiday season in the way that suits them best. Unfortunately, the preparation that accompanies this joyous occasion can sometimes be tiresome to many people, particularly when they think about the shopping that has to be done. However, it is possible to prepare for Christmas and still enjoy every minute of the season.

  • What Are The Best Advice For Christmas Shopping?
  • How do People Afford Christmas on a Tight Budget?
  • When Should I Start Shopping For Christmas?
  • How do You Survive Christmas Shopping?
  • How Can I Make Christmas Shopping Less Stressful?
  • How Can I Save Money on Christmas Shopping?
  • How Can I Make Christmas Shopping Easier?
  • How do You Tackle Christmas Shopping?
  • Why is Christmas Shopping so Stressful?
  • How do You do Holiday Shopping?
  • How Much Money Should Spend on Christmas?
  • What is The Average Spend on Christmas?
  • What Are Tiny Inexpensive Gifts Called?
  • How do People Afford Christmas Presents?
  • How Much do You Spend Per Kid on Christmas?
  • What is The Five Gift Rule For Christmas?
  • How Much Should You Spend on Employees for Christmas?

What Are The Best Advice For Christmas Shopping?

Here are a few of the best Christmas shopping advice for you to follow.

Start before the season begins

Christmas needs not be a season of stress. Save yourself those hours of stress and get your shopping done several months ahead of time. You also have the opportunity of finding great bargains during this period. And if you are being careful not to exceed your budget, this is also an opportunity for you to spread your Christmas purchases over some months.

Read Also: How Many Streams of Income Should You Have?

You get to plan your expenditure in the most cost effective way that will also keep you from incurring credit card debts. If you rush your shopping, you might find it difficult to get the right gifts to give your loved ones.

Be strategic in your shopping

One other way to have a pleasant shopping time is to be sure of what you wish to buy before you get there. There are several instances where people just go out without a clear cut idea on what they intend to buy, they leave their shopping to chance and end up paying for items that might not be necessary.

Before you hit the shopping mall, sit down and write down what you will buy and where to get these items from. You save a lot of time and money if you are strategic in your shopping.

Use your imagination

It is usually a delight to receive a unique Christmas gift. You know that a lot of thought has gone into the selection and the purchase of such an item and you are excited and delighted. Many people simply want to walk into a store and pick a gift for their family and friends. You have to know that with a little imagination, you can create an extraordinary gift for your loved one.

Think about the last Christmas gift that you were impressed with. Whatever the reason, it sure was worth the wait. The point is you should think through, be creative and imaginative and present a gift that will match the lifestyle and interest of the person that will receive it.

Use online options

Online shopping is a pleasurable option for people who do not enjoy walking through stores to select a gift. This may be the best Christmas shopping advice for you if you fall into this category. This is because you will get a variety of items to choose from, the possibility of finding bargains as well as an array of shipping choices. Even if you are getting gifts for individuals who live far away, you can still get these items wrapped and sent directly to them.

How do People Afford Christmas on a Tight Budget?

Christmas shopping doesn’t have to be a budget-buster. There are plenty of ways you can cut back on holiday expenses, shaving off a few dollars or even eliminating them entirely. You just have to be willing to try something new.

If you’re looking for ways to cut back this holiday season, here are some of our favorite methods.

Make a budget
7 Tips For Making Your Holiday Affordable And Still Enjoyable - Make a budget

Christmas spending often goes overboard when consumers fail to reconcile their budget with their shopping list. To avoid overspending, determine how much you can afford to spend on Christmas and then make a list of all your holiday obligations, including presents, travel, and decorations. Then, ascribe a dollar amount to each item, overestimating slightly.

It will probably hurt to spend less this year, but consider this: consumers still haven’t repaid their credit card bills from last year’s holidays (according to CNBC). If you’re in the same boat, add up how much you’ve spent on credit card interest and stick to the budget this year.

A budgeting app like PocketSmith can be a big help when you’re trying to manage your spending. PocketSmith doesn’t just help you set spending goals and monitor how closely you’re following them. It also has a built-in forecasting feature that helps you see how what you spend today will affect your finances up to 30 years into the future.

Keep next year in mind
7 Tips For Making Your Holiday Affordable And Still Enjoyable - Keep next year alive

You’ll be spending money anyway, so why not make the most of it? Try to set a little money aside for next Christmas. At the end of the season, look at what you spent on gifts, food, and decorations and find ways you can save even more. Then start putting a little money aside each month to pay for those expenses.

Better yet, get started on next year’s savings while you’re shopping for this holiday season. Apps like Acorns will round up to the nearest dollar every time you make a purchase using your connected credit card. You can then invest the money, starting with as little as $5. 

Find extra savings
7 Tips For Making Your Holiday Affordable And Still Enjoyable - Find extra savings

Looking at a long list of presents to buy? Here are some of my favorite shopping hacks:

Look for discount codes

There are plenty of sites that aggregate coupon codes so you can always snag the best deal. 

One of the best is Capital One Shopping, a free browser extension that automatically applies coupon codes at checkout. If you’ve viewed an item, the extension will also alert you when the price drops.

Sign up for a store’s email list

Usually, you’ll get an extra 10%-20% off if you’re a new subscriber. Sometimes I’ll even create a new email address to get multiple discounts.

Use a cash back credit card

While taking out a credit card for the sole purpose of buying Christmas gifts isn’t the best idea, if you’re in the market for a new card, taking advantage of sign-up bonuses and great 5% cash back categories could be the smart thing to do.

Chase Freedom Flex℠

The Chase Freedom Flex℠ is a perfect example of a wonderful holiday credit card. New cardholders can have the benefit of a sign-up bonus offer: $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. That $200 can go straight to your Christmas budget. 

Plus, you’ll also earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate, 5% back on travel purchases when you book through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3% back on dining, takeout, and drug store purchases, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. That’s a lot of cash back!

Shop with used gift cards

If I know exactly where I’m doing my holiday shopping, I’ll buy used gift cards for those stores where you can sometimes save up to 10% on a card. You can even find discounted gift cards at Costco or Sam’s Club, with savings up to 25% off.

Save on wrapping
7 Tips For Making Your Holiday Affordable And Still Enjoyable - Save on wrapping

Some love wrapping Christmas gifts more than anything, but wrapping paper, bows, and ribbon add up quickly. They shop at the dollar store for all my wrapping needs, where you can get more than enough paper for just a few bucks.

Yes, your gifts won’t look as beautiful under the tree, but it’s better than spending $20 on something that will end up in the trash.

Find cheap gift ideas
7 Tips For Making Your Holiday Affordable And Still Enjoyable - Find cheap gift ideas

If you have a special skill, such as woodworking or landscape design, give that as your present. The monetary value will be much higher than whatever you’d find at Macy’s, and it could be especially precious to the beneficiary. Plus, it won’t cost you anything except for your time.

Other cheap gift ideas include:

  • Baking mixes.
  • Homemade soaps.
  • Bath salts.
  • Anything edible (hello Christmas cookies).
Look for alternatives to gifts
7 Tips For Making Your Holiday Affordable And Still Enjoyable - Look for alternative gifts

Take the money you’d spend on gifts and treat everyone to dinner at your favorite restaurant, an evening at the movies, or an afternoon at an escape room (after COVID ends, obviously). The camaraderie you get from sharing an experience together will last longer than the thrill of opening a cashmere sweater.

Another popular alternative is to do a gift exchange instead of buying each person a present. Draw names and set a price limit, such as $30. That’s enough to buy a substantial gift without ruining your holiday budget.

This is perfect for big families, where gift-giving can get pricey once spouses and children come into the mix. Some families even decide to skip presents for adults and only buy gifts for the kids.

Take out a low-interest loan
7 Tips For Making Your Holiday Affordable And Still Enjoyable - Take out a loan

If you’re temporarily cash-strapped and you know 2021 will bring better news, an interest-free or low-interest personal loan could be an option. Make a plan for how you’ll pay off any money you borrow once the holiday season is over. 

First, check with your bank. You may have the option of a line of credit that you can draw on as needed. Make sure you still budget and save money so that you’re borrowing as small an amount as possible.

Alternatively, get a Cash Advance. One app that can help is Empower. Empower issues up to $250 Cash Advance¹, charging no interest or late fees. You’ll just need to link to the account that has direct deposit set up on it. With your next paycheck, Empower will reimburse itself for the amount you borrowed. Empower also monitors your spending and helps you find ways that you can save.

If you’re looking for a straight loan, LendingClub Bank is worth pricing. Lending Club is a peer-to-peer lending site, which means you’re borrowing from other members. You can get a quick quote on a personal loan, then price around to see what interest rates and fees other lenders are charging for similar loans.

Talk to your family and friends
7 Tips For Making Your Holiday Affordable And Still Enjoyable - Talk to your friends and family

If money is tight, Christmas can feel more like an imposition than a celebration. Stressing about the holidays isn’t fun and can lead to feelings of resentment towards your more affluent family and friends.

Talk to your loved ones about avoiding a gift exchange or minimizing how much you spend. You don’t have to give them all the reasons why – just enough so they understand. Who knows – your brother-in-law who’s just had a baby might be grateful to take a year off from the craziness of gift-giving.

When Should I Start Shopping For Christmas?

According to Yesmail Interactive, 38.1% of people start their Christmas shopping before November which jumps up to 69.8% of people starting their Christmas shopping before the 1st December.

This means in the 3 month run up to Christmas (September, October, November) nearly 70% of shoppers are in the Christmas buying mood.

Here’s the part of the infographic which shows when people start shopping for Christmas.

people-start-christmas-shopping

Early Christmas shopping saves all that last-minute rushing around. If you have a plan set you can be more effective, save money, and enjoy the Christmas season more.

How do You Survive Christmas Shopping?

Each year, we repeat the same last-minute purchases and over spending mistakes. Here are five tips for wise shopping during the holiday season.

Make a list and a budget

If you’ve made a list of gifts to buy, you’ll have a good idea of how much money you’ll spend in total, although you still need to plan for unforeseen purchases and price variations!

If you’re a very organized person, you already have the expected amount in your bank account and will be able to pay cash for everything. Otherwise, you might wince at the list… In this case, calculate the amount that you know you can realistically spend on gifts without affecting your family’s current expenses.

This amount is your Christmas budget. Avoid putting impulse purchases on a credit card that you know you won’t be able to pay for a long time. It is always possible to make good buys without spending a fortune.

Plan with the Internet

Instead of going on a long and exhausting tour of the stores, do some screen shopping! Almost all stores have a website, some of them even allowing you to check an item’s availability in a store near you. It’s a very practical way to save some time and avoid going across town to find a specific gift. And you can shop whenever you want, night and day! Every woman’s dream!

Visit many websites, take notes, compare and add pages to your “Favourites” bookmark to give yourself some time to think about it. Your purchase will be well thought-over and even more appreciated, especially since you’ll probably have saved time and money!

If you live far from larger shopping centres or simply don’t like the Christmas shopping craziness, buy online! Stick with well-known brands, such as Target, Sears, Future Shop, Chapters, Amazon, ToysRus, etc. and get information about their delivery fees, deadlines for the holiday season, return policies, etc.

Look for deals!

In recent years, Christmas deals start several weeks before Christmas. Businesses compete to attract us with more and more deals. For once, keep store flyers instead of recycling them and compare items in the stores’ printed and electronic publications.

Some articles are sometimes at a 50 % discount to attract customers. It’s up to you to take advantage of these great offers, without buying too much of course!

As for online shopping, ask about the refund and exchange policies. If you buy an item in November, will it be exchangeable or refundable at the end of December or in January?

Beware of gift cards

You might think that you’ll please someone by giving him/her carte blanche, but there is increasing evidence that gift cards are not used by many, and therefore that the gift is never “consumed”. In this case, it is often better to give money directly instead of a gift card.

Furthermore, check for early expiration date, the absence of a branch in the immediate environment of the person who received the card, etc.

Choose your battles!

Shopping in the middle of the Holidays is exhausting! On the weekends and some weeknights, malls are so packed that we get discouraged before we even complete our purchases. If you can, try to go shopping at the beginning of the week.

Monday and Tuesday nights are ideal to shop in relative peace! Otherwise, go early in the day on the weekends, which should give you enough time to do your shopping before the stores are full of customers. Avoid dressing too warmly, drop your coat in a mall locker, take a coffee break to rest a little, do whatever it takes to make your outing fun and not painful.

How Can I Make Christmas Shopping Less Stressful?

The best way to prevent Christmas Stress is to be organized and to take a bit of time out just for us.

Remember to do the following:

  • Write lists of things you have to do.
  • Have a large calendar of December up in the kitchen where the whole family can see what is happening and when.
  • Set a budget and stick to it
  • Don’t be scared to say NO!
  • Reward yourself for all this good work you are going to do by planning at least an hour a week at a spa or a massage – time to bliss out. You deserve it!
  • Ask the family for help when you need it!
1. Buy Bulk Presents

Got a good deal on certain toys, book sets or boxes of chocolate? Then grab heaps of them! Boxes of chocolates can be the perfect gift for just about any adult, from Secret Santa for your co-workers to your neighbor who unexpectedly pops in with a gift.

And having some extra toys lying around can be perfect in the event that your child receives an unexpected gift and you need to reciprocate. And, if you still have a few book sets or toys left over, you can always wrap them up for a birthday present later on in the year.

2. Get Christmas Items Pre-Wrapped

When ordering online in November or December – or purchasing directly at the supermarket – you can have the items gift wrapped right away – usually for a gold coin donation that goes to a really great cause.  If you get it all wrapped then and there, it saves that last-minute ‘Oh Shit’ moment!

3. Gift Vouchers are Brilliant Gifts!

If a particular family member is hard to buy for – seriously – grab them a shopping voucher instead.  I don’t know anyone that doesn’t love a good shopping voucher!  Plus they can take advantage of all the post-Christmas sales! Plus there are more than just ‘shopping’ vouchers available… think about:

  • Hair or Beauty Service Voucher
  • Gym or Fitness Class Voucher
  • You can get a Gift Card for an Experience
  • Hardware Store Voucher
  • Angus & Robertson Voucher
Gift Card for Angus & Robertson Book Store | Stay at Home Mum
4. Have Your Christmas Lists Prepared

Let’s be honest, you will most likely have more than one list. You may have one list per family member as well as general lists for items like wrapping paper, Christmas tree decorations and food. Keep these lists in a diary or somewhere else safe so they aren’t either lost, or seen by people who shouldn’t see them.

5. Take advantage of late-night shopping

Shops stay open later now than ever before. This means that another good time to shop is after dinner. Most shopping centres will have extended hours during the holidays in particular which means you can hit the shops after the kids have been fed and tucked in. With them asleep, it’s easy for you to play Santa and get presents sorted (and get some time to yourself)!

6. Online Shopping is Freaking Awesome

Shopping online is another way to avoid the crowds and the stress that comes with them. However, if you are going to do your shopping online, you need to be prepared well in advance, just in case something goes wrong with shipping or if an item arrives and is not the right size or product. So if you’re reading this and it’s two weeks before Christmas, it’s probably too late!

Even just doing your grocery shop online can save you loads of stress.  Here’s where to do it:

  • Woolworths Online
  • Coles Online

How Can I Save Money on Christmas Shopping?

If you want to keep rocking around the Christmas tree without racking up the Christmas debt, be more thoughtful in your spending and saving this season.

1. Develop a gift-giving philosophy.

Normally, our first suggestion in every instance of life is to budget. And we’ll get there. But before you budget, our very first Christmas tip is this: You’ve got to create your Christmas gift-giving philosophy.

What does giving mean to you? Is it about finding the perfect presents? Do you hope to impress others with how much you spend on them? Or do you feel obligated to buy for people? These motivations (and others like them) can really shape how you view the season.

Be honest with yourself and think about why you’re buying presents before you think about how you’re going to pay for them all.

2. Budget.

Now, the way you become the hero of the holidays is by budgeting. That’s right—if you want to stay on Santa’s nice list, set a limit for how much you’re going to spend and stick to it.

3. Track your spending.

So, lots of people spend like crazy throughout December and never check in on their budget. They just think, I’ll worry about it in January. Future you has some advice here: Don’t. Do. That. Track your expenses as you go, so you don’t end up overspending and ruining this month’s and next month’s budget.

And you know what makes that easier, right? The premium features of EveryDollar. You’ll connect your budget to your bank account so transactions stream straight in. You just have to drag and drop them into the right budget line. It’s simple and it gives you more time to do the things that really matter to you, like whipping up a batch of figgy pudding.

4. Rein in other spending.

We know Christmas is expensive. Americans plan to spend $997.79 on holiday spending this year. How can you come up with that big chunk of change?

First of all, you don’t have to spend that much. We want you to know and own that truth. Don’t spend outside of your comfort zone this season or any season.

But what about the money you do need for Christmas? If you’ve been shopping all year or stashing cash into your Christmas sinking fund, you might be set. But if not, you’ll have to find that money somewhere else. The first step here is to move money around in your budget—spending less on some categories in December to make up for the extra Christmas celebrations.

5. Choose time over money.

There’s an old saying that goes, “It’s the thought that counts.” For some people, the thought of spending time together really is better than the joy of a physical gift. You can save money this year by being intentional about being together—in whatever way you can, whether that’s in person or virtually. This year, value experiences over accessories and conversations over clutter.

6. Shop early.

Don’t wait for Black Friday to start Christmas shopping—look for sales all year long. Grab that stuffed Sasquatch on clearance in July for your bigfoot-loving nephew. When you’re mindful of your list throughout the year, you’ll spread out both the spending and the stress (and maybe even get rid of the stress altogether).

If you missed the chance to jump on the early shopping train this year, remember it in January when you’re budgeting for the next Christmas season!

7. Give fewer gifts.

As you’re in the spirit of trimming the tree, trim down that Christmas list while you’re at it. Of course, you do have a bit of holiday-induced obligation to deal with. You can’t pass around gifts at family Christmas and be like, “Uh, sorry, Cousin Scott . . . You’re the only person I couldn’t find anything for.”

But not everyone needs a gift. This year, send your tidings of comfort and joy to some people on your list through a thoughtful card only.

And if you want to save even more money, have a kind chat with your family members. Are you all giving just to give? Do you all want to cut back? A clear conversation about skipping presents this year for a shared meal (if you’re able) and stocking stuffers instead could be just the thing both your family and your finances need.

8. Resist retail marketing.

Americans spent $730.2 billion on holiday spending last year. That’s a lot.

Don’t let yourself get wrapped up in all the sales and spending. You may think these retailers are posting deals from the goodness of their hearts to help you—but their real goal is to get in on a part of that $730 billion holiday “magic.” Stick with your budget—and shop wisely.

9. Use old gift cards.

Think about all the money you have left on old gift cards, as well as the cards you’ll never use because they’re to places you never shop, eat or visit. Consider the partial cards as discounts and use them to buy presents. Regift (which is not a dirty word, as we’ll explain later) the other cards to people who’ll appreciate them. Don’t let those little pieces of plastic go to waste this Christmas!

10. Order online early.

Ordering online means shopping from the convenience of your very own couch as you roast chestnuts on an open fire. That’s the kind of multitasking we’re all about. Cross-check the price on that walks-and-barks plush puppy across multiple stores without ever putting on real pants.

But make sure you do this early enough to get the cheapest online shipping options—and remember shipping is taking way longer this year. The last thing you need is a budget ruined by all those additional rush order costs. (Prancer doesn’t deliver in a day without a hefty fee, after all.)

How Can I Make Christmas Shopping Easier?

Sixty-one percent of shoppers say they plan to cut back on in-store shopping this holiday season due to health concerns, according to a new study by Accenture. Major retailers, including Amazon, Walmart, and Target, are leaning into the unknown, kicking off their holiday sales as early as mid-October.

Since there’s more than enough stress to go around, we’ve rounded up the best Christmas shopping tips to take the stress out of gift-giving this year.

1. Go Online

Major retailers like Target, Walmart, and Amazon are leaning into the holiday season earlier than ever, which means deals will start well before Black Friday. Get a jump start on your holiday shopping and pick up major appliances, electronics, and buzzed-about toys in October and early November to avoid potential shipping delays.

2. Factor in Shipping and Delivery Times

Since many people will be relying on online shopping to cross items off their loved ones’ Christmas lists, make sure you take into account that there may be unexpected shipping delays when you place your order.

That means it’s best to order gifts as soon as you think of them, rather than waiting until the last minute. But if a gift doesn’t arrive in time, just print out a picture to stick in their card to let them know that it’s in transit.

3. Let the Pros Help You Pick

The experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute examined hundreds of toys for safety, quality, and educational benefits. Then, let a bunch of kids (some of their own, too!) cast their votes to find the best toys that 2021 has to offer. For even more options, look at Amazon and Walmart’s top toy picks to find something for every munchkin on your list.

4. Make a List (and Check It Twice!)

There’s a reason Santa makes such a detailed list every year — it makes holiday shopping run so much more smoothly. Instead of trying to keep it straight in the ol’ noggin, keep your gifts — already-made purchases as well as great ideas — in Santa’s Bag, an app that allows you to organize your shopping and spending by gift recipient. Don’t worry, as it’s password-protected so the kids can’t snoop while you’re not looking.

5. Map Out Your Shopping Beforehand

Since you want to limit your holiday shopping trips, make a map of the stores you plan to visit. “Map out what stores you plan to visit, what you plan on purchasing at each store, and in what order you plan to stop at each location,” recommends Kevin Gallegos, Senior Vice President of Client Enrollment for Freedom Debt Relief. It’ll definitely save you some time (and sanity) to spend a few minutes strategizing before you head out.

How do You Tackle Christmas Shopping?

According to Statista, 53% of individuals finish their Christmas shopping by November time. For us latecomers that’s a hard reality to picture. So what can you do to prepare yourself for the big occasion? Here are 3 survivor tips on how to tackle Christmas shopping.

Make a list and check it twice

Become Santa’s little helper! The most obvious tip, this idea can save you bags of time! Write down every person you need to buy a gift for with at least three suggestions. That way you can budget easily. This tip is perfect for people wanting to shop in bulk or buy gifts bit by bit. Don’t become the Grinch this season… get organized not overwhelmed.

Shop off-peak hours or go online

Visiting a city? A-line your time with off-peak hours! Sleigh through the holidays by planning your route. Pick presents before the busy season and bring your own bags to get on Santa’s good list. Set off early, shop from selected stores and get those stockings full by being decisive. Don’t spend what you can’t afford, and remember, be elfish when it comes to getting it done.

For those of you who can’t avoid the manic malls, one word… Google! Research gift ideas, compare reviews and get the best value for your money. Don’t let those reindeer’s get lazy on you. Check delivery times and work magic through your list whilst sipping a cup of hot cocoa with other home comforts.

Get creative

Stuck on ideas for certain relatives? Get creative! Don’t be afraid to make things easy for yourself. Buy gift cards, go for beauty boxes and remember, it’s the thought that counts. This season, Eyeko is offering four fantastic eye kits which are perfect for looking out of this world. Stock up on stocking fillers or go for the big win with a whole look.

Why is Christmas Shopping so Stressful?

Although Christmas is meant to be a happy and joyful time, this isn’t how everyone feels at this time of the year. Christmas can be a stressful and depressing time for many people.

Some people find that the Christmas spirit can be undermined by:

Financial and time pressures at Christmas

The expense of gifts and food, the pressure of shopping and the expectations of the season can make Christmas an extremely stressful time. General suggestions include:

  • Budget for Christmas so that you don’t overspend. This may mean putting money away each week throughout the year and sticking to your shopping list.
  • Do your Christmas shopping early, perhaps in November. Some people like to do their Christmas shopping gradually over the course of the year, starting with the post-Christmas sales.
  • Shop online or use mail order catalogues to avoid the crowds at shopping centres.
  • Consider a simpler version of Christmas lunch this year (such as a buffet where everyone brings a plate or delegate as many tasks as you can).
  • Seek advice from a financial counsellor if you are experiencing severe money troubles. Centrelink offers free advice for people on benefits.
  • Remember, you don’t have to spend money to give someone a present – you can give of your time and expertise as well. If you are strapped for cash, you could give someone a babysitting voucher where you offer to babysit for an evening, or offer to help out with a task that needs doing around the house or in the garden. Tutor someone for an hour, proofread an important letter or job application, walk their dog – whatever suits your skill set and the time you have available.
  • Pass on a book you enjoyed. It may not be new from the shop, but it comes with love and your recommendation, and it shows you have thought about the person you have given it to.
Isolation at Christmas

Some people find themselves alone at Christmas time. This may be due to relocation to a city far from relatives, a marital break-up, or family estrangement. The emphasis on family, friends and shared good times during the ‘festive season’ can make people who are isolated feel depressed and unloved. Suggestions include:

  • If separated by distance, keep in constant touch by phone, mail and email. 
  • Christmas shopping for loved ones can help you feel connected, even though you may be half a world away. Make sure you post your gifts in early December to avoid the Christmas mail rush.
  • Make plans for Christmas Day. If you have no one to share the day with, consider volunteering for charity work – for example, you could help organisations such as The Salvation Army give Christmas lunch to people in need.
  • If you are living overseas, arrange a ‘friends Christmas’ with other people you know who are in the same situation.
  • Attend community celebrations such as Carols by Candlelight and neighbourhood picnics.
  • Use the strength of your feelings to change your situation. If you are estranged from loved ones, perhaps you could attempt to reconcile with relatives and old friends (if possible), or else take steps to widen your social network. 
Family tensions at Christmas

All families experience tension to some degree. Part of the reason why Christmas time can be so stressful is the unrealistic expectation of coming together as a happy family on this one day of the year. Suggestions include:

  • Keep realistic expectations. If your relatives tend to fight throughout the year, they will most likely fight on Christmas Day as well.
  • Appreciate that everyone is under stress to a certain degree. For example, one relative may have worked overtime to get everything done before their office closed for Christmas, and may be feeling exhausted and harried. Another may be anxious because they overspent on their credit cards. Be as understanding as you can of people’s situations.
  • Consider breaking up the celebrations to keep ‘warring factions’ apart. For example, you could see one group of relatives on Christmas Eve and another on Christmas Day.
  • Family members involved in after-lunch activities (such as cricket on the back lawn) are less likely to get into arguments. Plan for something to do as a group after lunch if necessary.
  • Use relaxation techniques, distraction and group activities to help steer around stressful situations. 
  • Avoid verindulging in alcohol – the reduced inhibitions could contribute to (or cause) an unnecessary argument.
Christmas after separation or divorce

It can be hard for a family that has recently experienced a separation or divorce to face its first Christmas. It can also be hard when a family member is absent for the first time because they have moved away – for example, if they are overseas and unable to attend the traditional celebrations. Suggestions include:

  • Allow yourself to feel your emotions. If you prefer to put on a brave face for others, give yourself enough time alone to help deal with your feelings.
  • Talk about it as a family. Sharing your thoughts and feelings (and tears) can help you feel closer.
  • If children are involved, the separated couple should try hard to be civil during the festive season or at least limit their disagreements to times when their children are out of earshot.
  • Arrange, if necessary, to stagger the Christmas celebrations so that the children can spend (for example) Christmas Day with one parent and Boxing Day with the other. To keep it fair, you can swap arrangements the year after.
  • Avoid the Christmas rush and send presents, cards or letters to loved ones overseas at the start of December. Appreciate that phone calls may be difficult to make at Christmas because of high demand.
Step-families at Christmas

Around four percent of Australian families are step-families, while blended families (partners who each have children from prior relationships) account for about three percent. In some cases, Christmas for these families can be extremely difficult. Suggestions include:

  • Get together as a family and decide (early in the year so there’s plenty of time) what you would all like to do for Christmas. Make sure the children have their say.
  • Stagger the celebrations so that each child gets to spend time with both their natural parents and their step-parents.
  • Try not to take arrangements too personally. For example, if your ex-partner says they can only see their child for a brief breakfast on Boxing Day, that doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t care. Instead of getting angry, organise a more substantial get-together for your child and ex-partner during the holidays, or plan for them to have time together next Christmas.
  • Appreciate that now is not the time to sort out long-standing grievances. Christmas is stressful enough as it is. If possible, wait until things have settled down in the New Year.
  • Talk to friends or a counsellor if you need help to sort through your feelings. 
Bereavement and Christmas

Significant occasions, such as birthdays and Christmas, are always difficult for a bereaved family. Suggestions include:

  • Deciding to ignore Christmas altogether could exacerbate your grief. However, depending on your family’s needs, you may wish to try something different this year – for example, if you’ve always had lunch at home, consider having it at a restaurant instead. Alternatively, sticking to your family’s traditions may be more helpful. The important thing is to discuss your preferences as a family. 
  • Expect and appreciate that people show their grief in different ways. One person may want to reminisce, while another may prefer to remain tight-lipped. 
  • If you feel you can, talk together about your loved one. Sharing memories and tears can help you come to terms with Christmas without them.
  • You may like to spend some time alone so you can think about your loved one. Talking out loud to them or writing them a letter can be helpful.
  • Don’t feel guilty if you find yourself having a good time – sharing a few laughs with family or friends doesn’t mean you don’t love or miss that special person.
  • Ask friends for their support. If they don’t know how to help you, tell them.
  • It might help to talk to someone neutral such as a bereavement counsellor.
Feeling down at Christmas and New Year

The close of another year often prompts people to reflect on their achievements – or disappointments – over the previous 12 months. Some people mourn the loss of another year of their lives. Suggestions include:

  • Make a conscious effort to list all the positive things you did or experienced during the year.
  • If possible, mend fences. Contact those people you miss and make steps towards reconciliation.
  • Appreciate that your feelings may be due to a combination of Christmas-related factors including money worries, the pressure of last-minute shopping and unrealistic expectations of festive cheer. Remind yourself that many of these negative feelings will pass once the New Year is underway. Or even by tomorrow.
  • People often make unrealistic New Year’s Eve resolutions. This year, try to come up with positive and achievable goals for the upcoming 12 months.

How do You do Holiday Shopping?

holiday shopping has the potential to be awful. You have to brave crowded malls, overpriced items, and the same Christmas carols playing on repeat. But your shopping experience doesn’t have to be that way.

Try these tips to shop smarter and have a much happier holiday experience.

1. Plan ahead.

It would be nice if we were able to shower our friends and family with unlimited expensive gifts, but the truth is that the majority of us have a limited amount of money. Before you even start your holiday shopping, make a gift list and set yourself a budget. That way you won’t fall prey to last minute splurge purchases.

2. Save gas (and time) by shopping online.

Avoid crowded shopping centers altogether by doing the bulk of your shopping online. Just make sure that you keep mailing costs in mind and order your gifts far enough ahead of time so that you don’t have to pay for expensive overnight shipping.

3. Focus on Cyber Monday–not Black Friday.

Sure, you may find some pretty crazy deals on Black Friday, but when you factor in the gas you use to drive to the store, the time you spend waiting in the cold out front before they open, and the time spent fighting the crowds and waiting in line to make your purchase, is it really worth it?

This year, try shopping on the Monday immediately after Thanksgiving. This is the day when online retailers promote big sales, so you can save while shopping from the comfort of your own home.

4. Track price changes for expensive items.

If you’re shopping with a big online retailer like Amazon, you can set up a tracker through websites like CamelCamelCamel or The Tracktor. You can check out past prices of the items you’re shopping for in order to determine whether now is a good time to buy or if you should wait for the price to drop.

5. Use online coupons.

Avoid the hassle of clipping coupons and shoving them in your wallet until you can get to the right store by using online coupons. Many sites give you an easy way to quickly search for and redeem deals for your gift items. Here are a few to bookmark:

  • Groupon
  • Discounts.ca
  • Sales Circular
6.  Avoid credit card debt.

This should go without saying, but one of the best ways to shop smart this season is to avoid charging more than you’ll be able to pay off. Don’t get talked into starting a credit card with a particular department store, either. It’s usually not worth it. Keep close track of the money you spend and know where your limits are.

7. Don’t be afraid to buy the same gift twice.

If you find a gift that you know several people on your list would enjoy, don’t be afraid to buy it in multiples. This cuts down on your shopping time, and if the store is offering any kind of “Buy 1, get the second 1 at a discount” deal, that’s even better!

8. Considering buying experiences–not just stuff.

Instead of buying material goods that your family members aren’t that excited about, consider buying a day or weekend trip that you can share together. It can make more sense to invest money in creating a family memory that will last forever than buying an item that will have a short life span.

9. Group your shopping trips.

If you have to go to brick-and-mortar stores to do some of your holiday shopping, figure out where all the stores you need to visit are and plan the route that will involve the least driving. Try to get all your shopping done in one fell swoop so that you don’t have to keep driving back out to the stores.

10. Save money by using your smartphone.

The Amazon Price Checker app, which is available for both iPhones and Androids, lets you scan the barcodes of items in a store and compare to prices of the same item online. Shopkick is another great app that rewards you just for visiting stores by offering you special discounts. Make purchases at the store and you’ll get even more points to put towards a future reward.

How Much Money Should Spend on Christmas?

According to personal finance expert Gregory Karp, you should spend no more than 1.5 percent of the annual family gross income on presents. If you have many deductions from your gross pay, you may spend a larger percentage of your take-home wages.

When calculating your budget, include all the Christmas expenses, including the tree and decorations, wrapping paper and travel costs, if you are planning a vacation or a trip home over the holidays.

Regardless of how much you spend on Christmas presents, this extra expense can cause financial hardship if you haven’t saved for it.

Estimating your holiday spending based on your purchases in previous years can help you save monthly for the amount that you need. After calculating your Christmas budget and how much you must save each month, put money from each paycheck in a separate account and avoid using it.

To keep your Christmas spending down, consider giving gifts that are meaningful, but cost you little or nothing. If you have the ability to make attractive items that others can use or display, the recipient will appreciate the thought and effort.

Alternatively, give a certificate for a free service that you perform. If you are a professional, offer your time and services in your industry. Re-gifting — giving a nice gift that you received from someone else but don’t want or need — may be a solution.

What is The Average Spend on Christmas?

Americans plan to spend $997.79 on holiday purchases for themselves and their families this year. That’s down from last year’s $1,048, but it’s still a big chunk of change.

Is that all on presents under the tree? Nope—here’s a breakdown:
Gifts: $650
Food and decorations: $230
Other holiday purchases: $117

Yeah, Christmas can get expensive. But remember: Those are averages based on what the average American plans to spend.

Turns out, you don’t have to be average. You’re in charge of your money and your spending. So, you get to decide if you spend $100 or $1,000 on gifts this year. Just follow these three tips while you’re figuring out how much you’ll spend on Christmas:

  1. Don’t spend more than you can really afford—aka don’t go into debt to fund your Christmas. You don’t need to still be paying off your kid’s new bike come St. Patrick’s Day.
  2. When you know what you actually have to spend, create a Christmas budget.
  3. Stick to the budget. (If you need an easy and awesome budgeting app, try out EveryDollar!)

What Are Tiny Inexpensive Gifts Called?

What are tiny, inexpensive Christmas gifts usually called? These inexpensive Christmas gifts are usually called stocking stuffers.

These great gifts will please everyone on your list — not just the homebodies!

  • Novelty Tea Infusers: $8.98.
  • Caffeine Mug: $9.80.
  • Cat Coffee Cup Cozy: $7.99.
  • Kitty Wine Stopper: $8.98.
  • Kitty Wine Glass Markers: $10.
  • Cheese Knives: $9.95 each.
  • Water Bottle Friendly Ice Cube Trays: $9.15.
  • Novelty Ice Cube Molds: $4:34-$9.99.

How do People Afford Christmas Presents?

Do you know how many presents you still need to buy? More importantly – do you know how much those gifts are going to cost?

Still, there are ways to rein in your spending on Christmas and holiday presents, especially if you didn’t save for the holidays in advance.

1. Plan
How To Budget For Holiday Shopping If You Haven't Saved For Gifts (REWRITE) - Plan

Before you do anything, you need a plan. A plan could save you hundreds of dollars and your sanity.

To start, you’ll need to gather ideas. Put out the feelers to those that you have to buy gifts for. What are they interested in this year? Where do they shop? What do they do for fun? E-mail or call friends to compile your ideas.

Some usually break out an Excel spreadsheet to document my gift-giving plan. It’s an easy way to gather all your ideas in one place so you can start scouting deals. If you’re not into Excel, use your preferred list-making method – pen and paper, note on your phone, app organizer…the list goes on and on.

Another great perk of having a plan is being able to price check everything online; this amounts to saving big bucks during the holidays. 

2. Opt-out of presents altogether

Consider spending time with friends or family for the holidays instead of exchanging presents.

Especially when you spend hundreds of dollars in travel expenses to get to the place where your family is gathering – you should rightfully consider that expense as part of your gift to your family.

If COVID has you staying close to home this year, don’t forget that you’ll be saving bundles of money on holiday travel. Instead of traveling, consider organizing a family video call as your gift this year, which would save you even more.

And with 2021 being a tough year for many, don’t be afraid to suggest a no-gift policy with some of your extended family members. It’s almost a guarantee that 99% of people will be relieved their shopping list just got shorter!

3. DIY
How To Budget For Holiday Shopping If You Haven't Saved For Gifts (REWRITE) - DIY

Everybody’s favorite time suck – Pinterest – is crawling with cute and cheap DIY gifts. Here are some of my favorites:

  • Homemade photo coasters.
  • Sharpie mugs.
  • Homemade vanilla extract.
  • DIY ornaments.
  • Countless gifts in a jar.
  • Food!
4. Give ‘em what they want

The great thing about these lazy-but-oh-so-desirable gifts? They can be as expensive or inexpensive as you want. A $10 iTunes, Starbucks, or Target gift card can go a long way. You can easily snag a bottle of wine or build a six-pack of craft beer for under $10.

And you can never go wrong with a crisp $10 or $20 bill (especially for kids). You could even gift a pandemic-friendly gift card for food or grocery delivery – services many have come to rely on this year.

Speaking of home delivery, how about having wine delivered directly to someone’s door? In 2021, you likely won’t be showing up for the annual Christmas party with a bottle of wine in hand, but that doesn’t have to stop you from gifting your favorites hosts with some much-needed alcohol. Winc sends wine, which can be customized to a member’s personal taste, straight to your doorstep. 

5. Set a limit
How To Budget For Holiday Shopping If You Haven't Saved For Gifts (REWRITE) - Set a limit

Do you have a budget set for every person you have to buy a gift for? If not, set one and add it to your gift-giving plan.

If you saved in advance, perhaps you have a more flexible budget. If not, put a cap of $15 or $25 on each person. If you think it’s necessary, make a pact with your friend or family member and promise that neither of you will spend more than X amount (to prevent that I-gave-you-an-iPod-and-all-I-got-was-this-$10-Starbucks-gift-card awkwardness).

A good budgeting app can help you reign in your spending. For example, Mint lets you create a budget for your holiday spending, then take it with you via the mobile app. You can monitor how much you’ve spent to keep yourself in check. To use this feature, you’ll just need to create a category for your holiday shopping and tag your transactions with it.

If Mint doesn’t sound like the budgeting app for you, there are other apps that may be up your alley. One that stands out is PocketSmith. It’s more than just a budgeting app because it shows you how much you’ll have in the future based on what you’re spending today.

It links up to your bank account to track your spending, so all the work is done for you. This can be a great way to see what you can truly afford to spend on gifts this holiday season.

How Much do You Spend Per Kid on Christmas?

The average American says they’ll spend about $330 per child on holiday gifts alone last year.

Less surprisingly, though, is the fact that kids get to have all the fun. Other data from the survey conducted by RetailMeNot shows that little ones make out the best when considering everyone on a person’s gift list.

Those surveyed said they’d spend approximately $196 on significant others, $105 on parents, $90 on siblings, and $57 on best friends.

What is The Five Gift Rule For Christmas?

The Five Gift Rule is very simple. Instead of spending a lot of money on gifts or trying to buy a bunch of presents to fill up space under the tree, we limit it to five things. Each item belongs to a category, to help make shopping easier.

The categories include:
  • Something they want
  • Something they need
  • Someplace to be.
  • Something to wear
  • Something to read
Something you want.

Something you want is pretty straightforward. Has your child wanted an American Girl doll for a year? Or an Xbox gaming system headset?

Also, there must be a budget attached to this. Whatever you decide because as children get older, the price tag on their wants get bigger. Gifts for older kids have bigger dollar signs.

Something you need.

Something you need could be new winter boots or underwear. It could be a new comforter for their bed or a new backpack.

If there isn’t anything that they need, it could be a new fishing pole or a book light. It’s always nice to feed their hobbies, and I always look for a way to give children something else to do besides looking at a screen.

Something to wear.

This doesn’t have to be clothing. It can be a watch, headphones, slippers, a nice pair of earrings, or a wallet. Dress-up clothes are another option, too.

Something to read.

How fantastic is this? It might be my favorite gift to buy everyone.

Picture books, early readers, chapter books, novels, and nonfiction and finally, as tastes change and people have very specific reading interests, gift cards to the book store.

Someplace to be.

This is where the five gift rule differs from the more well known four gift rule. This is all about the experiences.

Movie passes, membership to the science museums, a season pass to an amusement park, or tickets to a Yankees game are all great experiences.

Read Also: What Are The Multiple Streams of Income?

However, depending on your budget, they might be as sweet as lunch out with your favorite parent, or pedicure are all a very good idea.

How Much Should You Spend on Employees for Christmas?

No matter which gifts you choose for your worker, don’t spend an excessive amount of money. Doing so might cause your employee to feel uncomfortable. Aim to spend $100 or less for employee gifts.

If you have more than one employee, spend the same amount of money on each person during the holidays. Exceptions to this rule include gifts for a personal assistant, personal secretary, retirement, achievement or an award.

Give multiple employees their gifts at the same time. This way, you avoid making other employees feel falsely left out or unappreciated. During a holiday party, hand out gifts at the table or before the meal.

Otherwise, hand out gifts with all employees present or leave the gifts at employee desks prior to their arrival. Give retirement, achievement gifts or awards after an announcement, preferably during a celebration. This also helps avoids questions from other employees, as they might question your motives.

Summary

These Christmas shopping tips should help you get everything you need with as little stress as possible (even given the queues!)

Remember to have a plan, have a budget, and shop at the right time (don’t leave it all till Christmas Eve for a start!) – then you won’t go far wrong!

About Author

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