Where to start next year to prepare a better Christmas when it comes to finances. How not to go overboard and overflow with remorse while still making the best of fun times when it comes to spending during the holiday season.

Going hand in hand with all of the activities occurring in preparation for the great holidays, we always keep adding and adding on to the mix. Gathering presents, selecting specialty food items, organizing travel plans and, of course, indulging on what we would otherwise have considered unreasonable. The holiday season tends to let us slip away from a sturdy routine where we try relentlessly to keep our financial goals on track. But all that splurge causes great stress. During, needless to say, but also after the event. Once the bills have to be addressed. All those things that we otherwise know how to say no to. But in the momentum, we can’t seem to find the will. Little luxuries that we know we can’t afford, but we do so anyway. Because… Well, it’s Christmas. And then, the remorse. Can’t bring it back : its gifted. Its eaten. It’s done. Was it worth it ? Yes, for some. No, not at all, for others. So how not to fall into the same scenario next year ?

The Solution. We should start by looking back and pinpointing where we did go overboard. So we can have a better Christmas next year, with healthy finances in mind.

Food Costs.

Especially this year, with skyrocketing prices and inflation rates. Truth is, we like to indulge during the holidays, no question about it. I will go further, we need to indulge in the holidays. There is great emotional involvement at that time of year and we should have access to some little treats for comfort and to remind ourselves that life is good. Now, how much to indulge and how is key to not being overwhelmed with remorse afterwards. It is fine to get some specialty food products, for example. But maybe spread them a little further apart to make them last longer. They will only feel that much more noteworthy after all.

And we should also learn to do ourselves some of those luxury goods that make us feel special. Learn to cure a ham, to have our own Proscuito. Learn to prepare gravlax to substitute for smoked salmon. Just substitute homemade to ready-made. There is so much to discover if we are willing to give it a try and make it on our own. Not everything is that complicated to do either, as long as we are willing to take on a new endeavor. And since food is such a substantial component of our finances, getting this under control will definitely help us have a better Christmas next year.

Beverage Expenses.

Another sizeable part of the Christmas parties is alcohol consumption. And this can get quite pricey quite quickly. So why not try to cut down on alcoholic beverages and alternate ? We can substitute a sparkling wine with chilled sparkling apple juice. For real ! Have been doing so for a while now with no regrets whatsoever. The sparkles do fill our need for that bubbly sensation and it is very gentle on the body as well. Moreover, since we are all sharing the “kids’ champagne” no one is left aside, feeling sidelined. Everyone on the same level, and level-headed too.

Whether we have to cut down a bit on the drinking budget, need to do so for health reasons or want to give it a chance to see the holidays differently, we all should give it a try at least, nothing to lose really. And the good thing : no headaches comes morning, guaranteed.

Travel Spending.

Traveling or organizing activities during the holidays is quite sizable for some of us. And a reality that cannot be circumnavigated. However, arrangements can be made to ease the financial burden of those expenses, if this is too hard on the budget. For example, turns can be taken to spend Christmas at one place or the other so that everyone have their share of the travel time, in rotation. A central location can be chosen to mitigate the cost so everyone is more or less at the same distance and will equally be impacted by the festivities. Big gatherings ? Why not rent a rustic chalet away from everything and share the cost. Many heads make small fare. For such a special experience, children might settle for Santa’s one gift only, no extras from parents. Overall, the price tag might even get easier on the wallet than a regular setting. And the memories ? Priceless. Without forgetting that everyone being away from their own home, and comfort zone, in unknown territory, the contentious issues arising from sometimes tricky get-togethers might be totally irrelevant and therefore nonexistent. A win win !

As for activities, new traditions can be introduced with limited cost. We have a ton of family friendly activities to do during the holidays in HRM, with little to no cost associated. Look for some great ideas, be inventive and dare to explore. Thinking out of the box can help us put together en even better Christmas with finances in check.

Presents Expenditures.

We can always try to make our own presents or, at the very least, gather gifts ahead of time, little by little. With young children, it may be slightly easier. Gathering their favorite collections, here and there. There is little room to go wrong by the end of the year. For older individuals, a special piece of jewellery, a nice set of tools or building a kit of essentials when there are good sales on ? True, we might not be able to return the items once Christmas day has come… But why think about returning them if we are buying to please in the first place ? It’s like signing up for a marathon knowing we will be away for the event. Why bother then ? If we try to pick the perfect gift right off the bat, we should have confidence in our choice. Of course, we can never be sure 100 % that our idea will be a hit. But we should try hard enough to be meaningful in our action.

Last but not least, a crucial aspect to keep in mind when it comes to gifts is to start saving now to cover expenses for the end of the year. $20 per week if we can afford to. If we can’t, $10 or even $5 will do. Whatever we can really. It does not mean that what we are able to put aside will be enough to cover the holiday expenses. But it will help. It will definitely help and well, maybe once we see the amount we collected, we will decide to stick to that budget knowing that there will be no upcoming credit card balance to pay off… Imagine ! No buying remorse. No burden to carry when the New Year starts. What a relief ! And once again, remember that we are way ahead of time here, so we can start with no pressure whatsoever. We can successfully draw up a better Christmas with finances in mind. Just start small and go with the flow.