Start Thinking "Christmas" in October
The best way to eliminate the stress associated with planning for the holiday season is to get the ball rolling early.
When you want to make Christmas an enjoyable experience for yourself and your family, a little bit of forethought really does go a long way.
The Game Plan
When you start thinking about Christmas a couple of months early, you'll be able to keep an eye out for great deals and promotions ahead of time. Plus, when you have a holiday game plan in October and divide out the biggest tasks well in advance, you'll be able to enjoy the season and all the festivities without rushing around last minute.
When you have a step-by-step plan of action, getting through the planning and shopping aspects of the season will be simpler and less stressful.
Try these tips for planning ahead for Christmas in October:
Jolly Tip ~ Invite your partner & littles to participate in this activity.
Create your budget early. A solid spending plan will contribute heavily to a stress-free and debt-friendly Christmas. Begin your seasonal planning by looking over your finances and determining how much you can really afford to spend. Be honest with yourself, as this budget will carry you through the holiday and into the New Year. Jolly Tip ~ Check into that side hustle your friend has been inviting you to zoom. This could be a possibility of additional income, through the device in your hand.
Address all aspects of the holiday season in your budget, including gift giving, entertainment, food, greeting cards, and anything else you need. This will ensure that you don't overspend in November or December.
Formulate a gift list. Create a list of everyone you plan to give a gift to and compare it to your gift-giving budget. Set a spending limit for each individual on your list and trim your list if your budget cannot support it. Jot down a few gift ideas for each recipient and run them against your budget before you set out to shop.
Readdress your budget. As the weeks go by, keep track of your holiday spending. How does this stack up against your budget? How much money do you have left? Is your budget currently on track, or are you in danger of overspending?
You may need to make tweaks to your budget as you go, which is completely normal, but instead of raising the amount of money in your budget, just shift priorities as necessary.
Start shopping early. The earlier you shop, the more time you'll have to find the right perfect gift. Jolly Tip ~ New way of shopping ~ Social Media & Creators. Drop a note on your social page, asking "Who of my friends is a creator, offers a product or service? I am prepping and planning for the holidays. I would love to support you, at least be in the know of your offerings. Drop your deets below".
Plan the party early. A great deal of planning is required for Christmas get-togethers. Plan early and address your plans often to ensure that everything falls into place. Create a budget and a step-by-step guide for planning the occasion. Ask for help when you need it.
When it comes to the holiday season, planning and preparation can go a long way. Put some thought into the holiday season in October and you'll have a very Merry Christmas. There's no reason to get overwhelmed with the holiday planning process by waiting until the last moment.
Avoid procrastination and get a jump on a stress-free, budget-friendly holiday season. This is the best way to ensure that you can enjoy a leisurely, memorable Christmas with your family and friends.