Save Money! Time to Think About Christmas (a little)…
I know, I know…you are enjoying the lazy days of summer and you don’t want anything to crash into your warm, relaxing vacation mindset. If you will allow me to just peel back a tiny corner of your ocean view, I can promise you a more relaxing and vacation-like December as well. (It’s actually just a little over 5 months until Christmas…don’t shoot the messenger!)
Once you are able to wash the popsicle drippings from your hands, think about these tiny little ideas to move you toward a stress free holiday season, while still enjoying the sounds of the kids playing in the pool.
Think About Making Plans
Taking just a few minutes each week from now until Christmas can mean the difference between stressed-out, debt-ridden, crazy holidays, OR peaceful, paid-for, wonderful holidays.
A great place to start is to take a Holiday Snapshot (read more and print yours here). If you feel up to more in-depth planning, take a peek at my DIY Holiday Planning Binder with FREE printables here. Deep breaths and a refreshing beverage can help you in this process. 🙂
Think About Making Gifts
Now is a great time to start thinking about gifts you can make rather than spending tons of money on store-bought gifts at the last minute (or over-spending during the Black Friday crush).
A nice, low-key way to start is to make your own Pinterest Board with gift ideas. If you don’t want anyone peeking, make it a secret board. Take a look at my DIY Budget Gifts Board for some ideas to get you started. Another great idea is to take advantage of the Back to School sales to stock up on items for Operation Christmas shoe boxes or stocking stuffers for your kids.
If you’re really feeling motivated, print this Master Gift List and start writing down all the people you want to give to this Christmas.
Think About Making Money
A little extra cash never hurt anyone around the holidays. If you start now, you can have a nice stash in few months.
One of my favorite ways to make extra money for Christmas is to use Swag Bucks (read more here). It is a fairly painless way to earn a little money, and I can easily exchange my Swag Bucks for Amazon gift cards to purchase gifts for friends and family.
For more money-making ideas check out my Top 5 Online Survey Sites post here and my 5 Easy Ways to Make Extra Cash post here (the comments have some terrific ideas!).
Don’t miss any of my tips to help you save money, get organized and enjoy life!
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If you’re ready to dive in head first, check out my Holiday Page here for great ideas to help you simplify, save and savor this holiday season.
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I get the same people gifts every year so when I see something they would like at a good price, I get it for them. I only wait on my brother and mom. I never know what to buy him and I get my mom a CD or two and I never know what CD’s she’ll buy in the meantime. I don’t mean to sound cheap with my mom but I’ve discovered that is what she’ll like and use and everything else seems to end up as clutter.
I’m so happy you posted this! My little one will be two this Christmas and loves coloring. I completely forgot I wanted to stock up on art supplies now for the holiday season.
Glad to help Amy. 🙂
UGH 5 months??? After reading this my anxiety level went up more than it was ! But its good to get the ball rolling now and not be caught up at the last minute with lots of shopping to do on very little money ! Good article !
Sorry for producing anxiety Loyda! 🙂 A tiny bit of stress right now will probably prevent a whole lot of stress later.
My husband and I just moved into an apartment so I have lost all my storage places. I used to be able to stock up on after Christmas sales and keep a good stash of gifts to use for the next Christmas. I think this year, we are going to use this “problem” to justify only giving to immediate family. I can easily get out of control trying to find gets for everyone I meet! It’s not necessary and I know our budget will thank us!
Sounds like a great idea to me Lauren. 🙂
I’ve been thinking about it since January! 😀 I came across an ‘IT Crowd’ cross-stitch pattern one night and knew my DH would love it, so I decided then and there I was doing primarily handmade for Christmas. I’m thinking of creating some kind of mixed-media print with lyrics from a fave band for my ‘little indie girl (20). We don’t gift much outside of our immediate little family of 3 – My mom and his parents each get a 25 GC, and I’ll be making needle-worked gamer ornaments for my bro and SIL.
Last Dec. we watched ‘Rick Steve’s European Christmas Special’ (again) and for some reason it struck me this time how simple they did it and how they didn’t seem to start until much much closer to Christmas Eve. We tend to put up the tree just after US thanksgiving and then I am burnt and disappointed by the actual day. I’m hoping by delaying / ignoring / simplifying participation in the commercialization until at least the 15th this year to make it a bit more special? We’ll see, haha!
I have been thinking about it a little. Yesterday I went through Pinterest to gather some ideas. Planning to write Christmas cards soon…crazy to think of now but it’s so hard in December. Beginning to gather gifts here and there.
Good for you for getting a serious headstart Angie! 🙂
This was a great post! I found it de-stressing to print out the planners, think about what I really enjoyed doing in the past years, and overall dedicate 15 minutes today to get a let prep work done. I have been unemployed since February so feeling “in control” of my family’s financial health, happiness, & overall well-being has been a God-send for me (and of course a good plan helps too). Thanks!
Woohoo! So glad I could help you Katie! 🙂