FSB Blog

Keep the Holiday Season Jolly, Not Costly

The holidays have a way of sneaking up on us.  One minute it’s October, and the next you’re buying gifts, planning Christmas dinner, attending school programs, traveling to see family and wondering how all those “little” holiday expenses added up so quickly.

You don’t have to have Christmas completely planned in October.  But making a few decisions now can help you enjoy the season without putting unnecessary pressure on your budget later.

Here are some realistic ways to get started.

1. Start With What You Can Actually Afford

Before making your Christmas list, decide how much you can comfortably spend after your regular household expenses are covered.

There’s no right amount.  Your holiday budget might be $200, $500 or something entirely different.  What matters is choosing an amount that works for your household rather than spending first and figuring out how to pay for it later.

Once you have a number, that becomes your limit for the season.

2. Make a Holiday List, Not Just a Gift List

Gifts aren’t the only thing that costs money during the holidays.

Think about what November and December normally look like for your household.  Your list might include gifts, Christmas dinner, extra groceries, travel, school activities, work parties, decorations, charitable giving, wrapping supplies, and stocking stuffers.

Those smaller expenses are easy to overlook, but they can add up.  Once you see everything in one place, decide how much of your budget you want to spend in each area.

3. Start Setting Aside What You Can Now

You don’t need to have your entire Christmas budget sitting in your checking account today.

Look at how many paydays you have between now and the holidays and decide what you can realistically set aside from each one.  Even small amounts help.  Saving $10, $20, or $25 at a time now is money you won’t have to find in December.

If possible, keep your holiday money separate from your everyday spending money.  That can make it easier to see what you actually have available and when it’s gone.

4. Decide What Matters Most to Your Family

You don’t have to spend money on every part of the holidays.

Maybe gifts for the kids are your priority.  Maybe your family looks forward to a big Christmas dinner.  Maybe traveling to see family matters more than exchanging presents.

Put more of your budget toward the things your family truly enjoys and give yourself permission to spend less on the rest.  That could mean drawing names among the adults instead of buying for everyone, setting a price limit on gifts, reusing decorations you already own, having everyone bring a dish to Christmas dinner, or agreeing that adults don’t need gifts this year.

Sometimes simplifying Christmas can make it more enjoyable for everyone.

5. Make Your Gift List Before the Sales Begin

Black Friday and holiday sales can be helpful, but only if you’re buying something you already intended to purchase.

Make your gift list and decide approximately how much you’ll spend on each person before the holiday promotions start.  Then, when you see a sale, ask yourself:

“Is this a good price on something I planned to buy, or am I spending money because it’s on sale?”

Those are two very different things.

And remember that a thoughtful gift doesn’t have to be an expensive one.  Homemade gifts, family photographs, favorite recipes, baked goods, and gifts of your time can mean just as much.

6. Look for Holiday Memories That Don’t Require a Big Budget

One of the best things about the holiday season in Cherokee County is that there are plenty of opportunities to get out and enjoy Christmas close to home.

Throughout the season, you’ll find community traditions like the Tahlequah Christmas Parade, Victorian Christmas at the Thompson House, local craft fairs, and Santa appearances at businesses and organizations around town.  Families can also watch for holiday activities like Christmas at Hunter’s Home in Park Hill, while programs like the NSU Angel Tree offer an opportunity to make giving back part of your family’s Christmas traditions.

You can also make your own inexpensive traditions: drive around Cherokee County looking at Christmas lights, bake cookies with the kids or grandkids, have a Christmas movie night at home, make ornaments together, visit downtown to see the decorations or look for free and low-cost community Christmas events as they’re announced.

Even something as simple as packing hot chocolate and taking the family to see Christmas lights can become the thing everyone looks forward to every year.

7. Shop Local and Keep Your Holiday Dollars Close to Home

The holidays are a great time to support the small businesses that make Tahlequah and Cherokee County special.

Shopping locally means more of your holiday spending stays in the community.  You’re supporting local business owners, their employees and families, and helping the businesses that support our schools, nonprofits, events and community throughout the year.

Local shopping can also make gift-giving a little more personal.  You may find something unique at a local shop, pick up a gift card to someone’s favorite restaurant or coffee shop, or give an experience they can enjoy right here at home.

Just remember to set your budget before you shop.  Supporting local businesses doesn’t mean spending more than you planned.  Decide what you can afford first, then see how many of the things already on your list you can find locally.

Shopping local and sticking to a budget can go hand in hand.

8. Give Yourself a Stopping Point

This may be the most important part of your holiday budget.

Christmas spending can easily turn into:

Just one more gift.

Just one more stocking stuffer.

I forgot one person.

We might as well pick this up, too.

Decide ahead of time what “done” looks like.

When everyone on your list is covered and you’ve reached the amount you planned to spend, give yourself permission to stop.

A Great Christmas Doesn’t Have to Be an Expensive Christmas

The goal isn’t to create a perfect holiday.  It’s to enjoy the season with the people who matter to you without creating a financial headache that follows you into the new year.

Start with what your household can afford.  Decide what matters most.  Put aside what you can. Look for ways to enjoy the season that don’t revolve around spending.

And remember that years from now, your family may not remember exactly what was under the tree, but they may remember the Christmas lights, the cookies, the parade, the family jokes, and the traditions you made together.

A little planning now can leave a little more room to enjoy the holidays later.

From your friends at First State Bank — Tahlequah’s Bank.