“It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” 🎶 Or is it?
Christmas can be such a wonderful time of year, and it can also be one of the most challenging. I once heard a saying that goes something like this, “We are all in the same storm but certainly not the same boat.” And I think Christmas is a great example of that as we all experience the associated stress differently.
One thing that comes with Christmas is stress – and I don’t think it matters much of who you are or where you come from – but the responsibilities, commitments and expectations can be overwhelming. I have worked hard over the years to reduce the stress and the expectations I put on myself during this time of year and can tell you it is worth the time and effort to figure out exactly what works for you.
If I were to look back over the years to determine what was the biggest creator of my stress during the holidays, I would have to say it was the financial portion. I always spent way more than I thought I did and often way more than I could afford. So here are some tips I’ve learned at managing this issue before it’s too late and the bills all arrive in January.
Set a budget for gift amounts by person, and stick to it!
Purchase your items early in the month – last-minute purchases are often desperate and cost more.
Pay cash – I now have an envelope for each person with how much I am comfortable spending. When the envelope is empty, they are done!
Make homemade gifts when possible, bake or make something that only you can. It is always very much appreciated.
Have some homemade gifts ready for unexpected visitors. You will be ready to reciprocate and feel good about it.
Take into consideration all the things you need – food, gifts, decorations, etc. – and plan accordingly.
Plan for Christmas early. If you contribute $20 a week starting the first week of January, by December 1st of next year, you will have approximately $940 to spend at Christmas. That would certainly take a lot of the financial burden off this time of year.
Use your points programs – Saving your points all year to use at Christmas is another way to lift some of the financial stress. It’s so fun to buy stuff for free!
It’s easy to throw in the towel and say, “What the heck, it’s Christmas!” But the negative repercussions of overspending can last long into the new year as you try to deal with the additional financial stress.
The holidays really can be about the quality of the time we spend together, and the environment of love and joy we create. It always works best when we talk about it and make a plan to manage expectations.
I invite you to join me in January to kick off the new year with a new program designed to help you gain valuable skills to empower your emotions. Scroll down and I'll tell you about it.
Wishing you and your loved ones a healthy and joyful holiday season!
Peace and Strength,
Cathy
Contact me at
cathy@cathycoleman.ca
