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Brace Yourself, Christmas Is Coming
Whether you’re ready or not, Christmas is coming. Even in such strange, difficult and extraordinary times we’re living in, nothing, absolutely nothing can change this. Christmas vibe is just around the corner. There is only one question: have you already started budgeting for Christmas?
If your answer is no, then continue reading this post to discover 8 powerful tips to create magical Christmas on a budget. Because there’s no better feeling than celebrating the festive season without going into debt. You can create memorable experiences for yourself and your loved ones without having to spend a fortune.
1. Set Up A Realistic Christmas Budget
The first step in creating Christmas on a budget is, of course, setting up a budget. Without it, keeping your Christmas spending under control will be extremely hard, if not impossible. Not to mention that having a spending plan will make everything easier and faster.
With everything that has happened in 2020 you really don’t need additional stress, especially not during the holiday season. To make these special days free from pressure, questionable financial decisions or even debt you need to set up a Christmas budget.
- Presents
- Food
- Decorations
- Wrapping paper
- Gift boxes
- Christmas cards
- Party supplies (if you’re throwing a Christmas party)
- Outfit (if you need a special Christmas outfit)
- Transportation (if you need to get places)
- Hotel (if you need to start over somewhere)
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2. Create An Action Plan
Christmas is about creating a captivating mood and atmosphere for your loved ones. It’s about spending quality time not tones of money to show others how much you care about them.
The real point of having a Christmas dinner/party is to show your family and friends that you truly appreciate them. It’s the thought that counts, not the price you’ve paid to create the whole Christmas vibe. Thus throwing a Holiday Christmas party, preparing delicious meals and giving gifts should never be a competition that leads to unnecessary stress, questionable financial decisions and debt.
Besides, there is nothing good about starting the New Year with Christmas debt. So before you go on your Christmas shopping to buy presents, decorations and food create a plan. Having everything well-planned will help you to save time, energy and money. Not to mention that you will have everything under control, which is especially important in times of chaos and uncertainty we’re living right now.
3. Shop By Yourself & Pay With Cash
Who carries around cash nowadays? Well, the simple answer is, those who want to avoid mindless shopping and overspending.
Cash is STILL King!
But don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that you should pay for everything by cash and get rid of your credit cards once and for all. Because that would be incredibly inconvenient and a bit irresponsible, especially if you mostly shop online or plan an expensive purchase. I am just saying that if you pay by cash it’s much easier to track your expenses.
Going on Christmas shopping with a credit card hoping that you will stick to your budget is risky but still doable. It’s all about self-discipline and self-control!
Regardless of what type of payment you choose for your Christmas shopping, remember to keep track of how much you spend and stick to your budget.
4. Plan Christmas Activities Ahead
The Christmas spirit is about positive festive attitude and mindset, not about insanely expensive gifts and luxury trips planned mainly to get that one photo that would make everyone jealous. It’s not a competition to see who has the most generous heart or a better taste in buying Christmas gifts.
Christmas is considered to be the time of a great joy filled with beautiful celebrations, delicious indulgence, and a peaceful atmosphere. But none of these things can happen without your input. To make everyone smile and bring some more Christmas vibes into your Holidays you should plan Christmas activities ahead. If you need some inspiration here are some ideas.
5. Create Your Own Christmas Tradition
2020 has changed everything. Our perception of time. Our idea of modern society. Our understanding of prosperity. Our habits. Our attitude. Our way of thinking. We had a different kind of Easter, a different kind of vacation, a different kind of work environment. So why wouldn’t we have a different kind o Christmas?
Well, actually 2020 is a perfect moment to create unique Christmas traditions. So if you haven’t already created one it’s time to get busy!
- Design Your Own Custom Christmas Card with Canva
- Create a cozy Christmas movie night
- Build or actually bake a Gingerbread house (best recipe here)
- DIY Christmas gifts and ask your family and friends to do the same
- Host A Christmas Karaoke Party
- Engage in Christmas cooking extravaganza with your loved ones and cook, bake or prepare something delicious
- Match with your family for the holidays (yeas, we’re talking about matching outfits!)
- Have fun with Conversation Cards
- Volunteer
- Donate a gift to children in need
- Donate food to a shelter in your area
lift your spirit
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Even the most altruistic person on Planet Earth could not afford to buy Christmas presents to every single person they’ve ever met in their whole lives. Unless they’re extremely reserved, secretive, emotionally isolated and introverted which makes them have only a few friends.
But if you’re not one of those extremely introvert people and you actually do have a very large a group of friends and loved ones buying a present for each of them may be a major financial challenge. In a situation like this, you two options. Option A is to choose from your list those who will receive a present. Option B is to give an inexpensive gift to everyone from your circle.
Regardless of which option you choose, just ensure you created a detailed list of gift receivers that include people you truly care about. Take the time to rethink your relationships with friends, family members, coworkers and other people who are in your life. The choose those you truly want to give a gift and figure out what inexpensive but thoughtful gift would light up their lives.
- Create a gift-giving list that includes all the people you care about, and you want to give a Christmas present.
- Decide what do you want to buy for each person from your list.
- Focus on unique, highly-personalized and thoughtful gifts (spend money on something you know they will like)
- Stick to your Christmas gift budget
Grab Your Free Worksheet
7. Create A Christmas Vibe
We put so much work in creating a cosy festive atmosphere filled with unique presents, delicious food and family traditions that we’re too mentally and physically drained to actually enjoy the Holiday season. That’s insane!
Christmas meant to be a time of good cheer, relaxation and celebration, but many of us, this festive season is extremely stressful especially in terms of money. We invest time, energy and money in creating the perfect Christmas vibe completely forgetting about the true spirit of holidays.
The holiday season should be free from stress, overwhelming pressure, and questionable financial decisions to regret later on. So if you feel the pressure to overspend to create the perfect Christmas vibe, I’ve just got one question for you: Who said that is necessary to go into debt only to create Christmas vibe?
Well, except for actors in TY commercials, Social Media gurus selling their extremely overpriced merchandise, some of your coworkers or other people you barely know or maybe don’t even like most people prefer to create Christmas on a budget.
So don’t get trapped by your ego. You can create a perfect Christmas vibe without going in debt. And if you need some help here are so great ideas:
- DIY Christmas decorations
- Dress up a Christmas tree
- Make your home more Christmassy
- DIY a Christmas card for your family and friends
- Make a snowman with vivid facial expressions and body moves
- Make sure your Christmas playlist is equipped with all the right songs
- Prepare spiced & warming mulled wine (for adults only!)
- Make insanely delicious gingerbread cookies and spiced hot chocolate
Grab Your Free Printable Workbooks
8. Opt For Alternative Christmas Gifts
Regardless of what some may say, Christmas is not about spending huge amounts of money on gifts for every single person you’ve met in your life, but about showing your loved ones that you genuinely care about them. And what better way to do it than by DIY-ing Christmas gifts?
Homemade gifts are unique, special and fun to create. Not to mention that with a little bit of imagination and creative touch you can make these presents actual pieces of art that will impress everyone, even the pickiest gift receivers!
Christmas is the perfect moment to unlock your full creative potential and create unique, rare, extraordinary and highly personalized gifts for your loved ones. And if you need some real, genuine inspiration here are a couple of DIY gift ideas:
- DIY Christmas presents like crazy! make easy, inexpensive, personalized, and pretty homemade Christmas gifts
- Give vouchers to use in the sales
- Make Christmas Cards with a “thank you” note (Use Canva!)
- Make homemade healthy cookies and chocolates for those who have a serious sweet tooth and salted caramel treats for those who prefer less sweet desserts
- Make a Christmas dinner for your close family and friends.
- Host a Movie Night Party with melted marshmallow hot chocolate and strawberry cheesecake.
9. Free Holiday Budgeting Apps
Most people would agree that Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. But with the amount of things that have to be done Holiday season can not only get very hectic but also it can bring undue stress.
To avoid Christmas anxiety and have your Christmas spending under control I highly recommend you to take advantage of free holiday budgeting apps.
Here are the top 12 budgeting and planning apps you can use to get seriously organized.
- Santa’s Bag - Christmas Gift List & Budget (iOS)
- Christmas Gifts and Budget (Android)
- Xmas Gifts List (Android)
- Christmas Gift List - Track Xmas gift ideas (Android )
- Christmas List Gift Planner (Android)
- Gift List Diary - Christmas Present Organizer (Android)
- Giftster - wish list registry (iOS /Android)
- Gilt - Shop Designer Sales (iOS / Android)
- Red Laser Barcode Scanner + QR Reader (iOS / Android)
- ShopSavvy - Barcode Scanner and Price Comparison (iOS / Android)
- Discount Calculator - Price Comparison & Sales Tax $ (iOS / Android)
- CouponCabin - easy-to-use coupon & cashback app (iOS / Android)
Best Financial Apps
- Mint (link) - saving and budgeting app
- Acorns (link) - saving and budgeting app
- PocketGuard (link) - extra money spending app
- You Need a Budget (link) - create a budget within your actual income
- Prism Bills&Money (link) - organizing and paying bills app
- Albert (link) - saving, budgeting and paying a debt app
- Travel Wallet (link) - travel budget and expense app
- Wally (link) - professional expense report app
- Tycoon (link) - Freelancers app
- SnipSnap (link) - digital coupon app
- ShopKick (link) - rewards for shopping online and in-store app
- GroceryIQ (link) - intuitive shopping list app
- Bill Watch (link) - managing, organizing and reminding bills payment app
- Venmo (link) - splitting bills and sharing transactions app
- Personal Capital (link)- investment optimization app
christmas self care
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- Christmas on a Budget: 7 Powerful Hacks to Budget, Plan & Organize Debt-Free Christmas HERE
- How to Eat Mindfully HERE
- 7 Steps to Detox Your Mental Wellbeing. – Cleanse Your Mind for a More Positive Life HERE
- 8 Simple Ways to Live a More Active Lifestyle HERE
- 6 Simple Ways To Live A Healthier Lifestyle HERE
Stay positive, be mindful and create Christmas Vibe on a budget!
xo Kate
