Getting a Holiday Head Start

Posted on October 30, 2012 by Mary Hunt in Home & Family 19 Comments

If you are or ever have been plagued with consumer debt, I can nearly guarantee that revolving expenses related to Christmas have contributed greatly to that miserable situation.

The problem? Procrastination. Face it, when it comes to Christmas, the longer you wait, the more you’ll spend.

Some rights reserved by paparutzi

Everyone procrastinates in some area. Why do we do it?

We feel overwhelmed. The holiday expectations we place on ourselves, plus those that come from our families, the community, and even the church, can be so great that we feel paralyzed.

We overestimate how much time we need. The task appears to be so overwhelming that we assume it will take forever. So rather than doing even a little bit, we do nothing.

We overestimate how much time we have. From where we sit during the year, Christmas seems so far away. We tell ourselves we have plenty of time.

We overestimate our abilities. If we believe we can finish a task in three hours, we put if off until only three hours remain. That leaves no margin, no room for errors.

We have to do it perfectly. Experts tell us that at the root of procrastination is perfectionism. Because we feel we have to do everything perfectly, we do nothing rather than run the risk of failing.

We say we work better under pressure. Waiting until the last minute can provide quite an adrenaline rush. We believe we cannot operate without that creative surge.

The way to deal with procrastination is to identify why you do it. As it relates specifically to the topic of Christmas, ask yourself:

What price have I paid in the past for the delay? Do I really want to pay that price, or even more, again this year?

If you are not willing to go into debt, there are simple things you can do to stop procrastinating.

Get started. Do something to get moving.

Write it down. Reduce your plans to paper. Set reasonable limits both in time and in money.

Work with the time you have. Make a simple time line, then break the project down into small, manageable parts.

Set a series of small deadlines. As an example, give yourself a date one week from today to have your gift list written.

Find the simpler way. To minimize the powerful emotions of the season, determine ways you can reasonably scale back and simplify.

Plan now. While you are not involved emotionally is the time you can think the most rationally. That makes this the best time to get a grip on this year’s holiday spending.

Be realistic. A big part of the problem is that the December holidays aren’t just about gifts. Think about alternative ways to make the holidays happy.

Any time of the year is the best time of the year to start thinking about the most wonderful time of the year. And a stress-free Christmas is likely the very best gift you can give yourself and your family.

Excerpted from Debt-Proof Your Christmas: Celebrating the Holidays Without Breaking the Bank by Mary Hunt (Revell, 2012; $12.99)

Question: What have you accomplished so far in getting ready for the upcoming holidays? Tell us here.

Exclusive Bonus!

Subscribe to email updates today and you’ll receive a link to download my brand new e-book, The Best of Everyday Cheapskate, FREE.

You’ll enjoy excerpts from each of my bestselling e-books to help you get onboard with saving time and money every day!

Posted on October 30, 2012 by Mary Hunt in Home & Family 19 Comments

Vicki

I have a large box in the corner of a closet. I buy all year for Christmas and have a list on my phone of gifts purchased/price. For the last 8 years, I’ve spent less on Christmas, with no debt incurred, and my kids can’t tell the difference. My kids know that by Nov. 15 at the latest, no more gifts will be purchased so they’d better start early with the wish list. We have a lot more time at home and don’t fight any crowds. It has completely changed my attitude toward the holidays, now I look forward to them plus it’s easier on the checkbook. If for some reason (seldom) I need a last minute gift, I go to my local grocery store and purchase a gift card. I haven’t been to a mall in 7 years and have not stepped in a Wal-Mart in almost 3. Those two things have saved me tons of money believe me, I’ve tracked it. Yes, it takes discipline and a few years to get the hang of it, but once you see how much more you enjoy the holidays it is well worth it.
Lynn

I shop all year…really just picking up unique gifts when I find them, like when we travel. We have started giving our grown children “experiences”. Several years we have given family memberships to local zoos; this year we are giving concert tickets. We do give gifts to the small children in the family as well. The adults don’t need more “stuff” and enjoy their alternatives and it doesn’t cost any more than a nice gift, maybe less since we no longer have the “just one more thing” mentality. All of this has made Christmas much easier, just takes a little planning ahead
Pat

I am so glad they brought back free layaway. It will help everybody save money and give them incentive to not use credit for christmas. Now if they only would bring it back year round.
Maryann

Instead of overspending for Christmas, my roommate (my sister) and I plan a mega bash for New Year’s Day in the form of an open house. We cook for days beforehand, trying new and interesting foods as well as using some tried and true recipes. We invite our families, neighbors and friends from church and usually have a great turnout. Sometimes the weather gets in the way (I live in New England), but despite that people still come out to welcome the new year, and share in fellowship with one another. We still celebrate Christmas, of course, and give gifts to a select few people, mostly family members, but we keep in mind the real reason for the season and that helps curb our spending. We also remember that we will be “gifting” a lot more people who will be coming to our home a week later by opening our home for the afternoon.
Carol

I love to shop, but I’m committed to a more frugal lifestyle, so I have fun shopping all year, looking for clearance sales and bargains, especially for small, useful stocking stuffers. I fill stockings for everyone, with toothbrush, toothpaste, and unusual pens, pencils, and other useful but cute items. When Christmas comes around, everyone looks forward to unveiling their stockings most of all. I’ve had fun shopping all year, I haven’t spent a lot of money, and everyone is happy. All wins!!
kaetra

I’ve already got my spreadsheet going with columns for each gift recipient, price estimates for each gift and totals per person and for the whole. This helps keep me on track and within my budget. I jot Christmas gift ideas down as they come up starting around September. October is when the serious planning/budgeting begins and even some of the shopping. I like to have all my gifts purchased before Thanksgiving so I can enjoy the holidays and not stress about gifts! It’s also nice to shop before the majority of people start because things are plentiful at the stores and I don’t get stuck rifling through what’s left of the picked over merchandise. I wouldn’t be caught dead in a store on Black Friday, it’s just a bunch of short-supplied loss-leaders and nutso people out there that day anyway. I make homemade butter caramels for aquaintences/teachers/etc. They’re easy, cheap and people love them. I’ve stuck to this method for years and it sure does take the stress and the wallet-pinch out of the holidays.
Cathy

The most important thing was booking my flight to Minnesota to spend Christmas with my daughter, her husband, and the grandkids. My daughter has become a money saver, and found a great fare! I have a small budgeted amount for gifts that I’ll use when I get there, but to me, time with them is the most precious gift there is.
http://www.facebook.com/beth.chamberlainsherrill Beth Chamberlain Sherrill

I also pick up things all year long, and don’t groan here, but I often find lovely gifts at the second hand store. If you pay attention you can often find brand new items that either someone bought as a gift that wasn’t kept or bought themselves only to realize it was unneeded. I pick up beautiful candles, special picture frames and things like that at my favorite resale shops.
This year I am giving my young adult kids New kitchen supplies. Good sharp knives, mixing bowls, and so on stuff they haven’t gotten for themselves. I do have to be careful not to overspend on the kids because they need so many things and the “but I want to give them something fun” message in my head is tough to ignore.
Theresa

I also pick up gifts year round for Christmas. If I see something that would make a great gift for someone on my list, and it’s on sale, I buy it. Usuallyby Thanksgiving my Christmas shopping is either done, or I just have a gift card or two to purchase. I fill stockings for my kids and grandkids with free samples and small items that I accumulate all year. It really cuts down on a lot of stress and having to purchase all those gifts at one time. My Christmas budget is spread out through out the year.
We3Daughters

I’ve mashed the potatoes! Trying to figure how to minimize messes and therefore be able to BE with people who come. Also I can get better deals on ingredients if I cook along the way. Anyone have a good recipe for a breakfast casserole that freezes?
Erika M.

I began thinking of holiday gifts at a book sale in April this year. The items I bought there, plus others I’ve picked up along the way, are sitting in a bag in my storage space down the hall from my condo, happily waiting for their individual assignments! And some of the gifts will be items initially meant for myself, but as I continually strive to reduce clutter, some of those will go, too!
Karen

I haven’t purchased any real gifts yet. I am being very selective. Making my list checking it twice and bargain hunting. I have reduced my list but can’t bear the thought of any gifts going to good will. I have a baking gift plan for those outside the family. Stocking stuffers are tucked away and I am cruising through the holidays with Flylady, purchasing baking and menu items each week. I decided to be in the church Christmas play which means that I will also have to be very selective with other activities to ward off over commitment. The play is out of my comfort zone and a gift to myself. It also includes a couple other family members and the cast will participate in our Christmas parade. 2 big events considering the time element. But we are together! …promised myself not to purchase any more yankee candles….oh I love them,,,,, until I have used up…all the way…my current ones. I have committed to not purchasing any wrapping paper, bows, or tags…I can only use what I have!
wannadance

I shop all year – mostly online because I can find great deals with free shipping, no sales tax and plus I belong to e-bates and fat wallet so I get cash back on my purchases. I go to e-card exchange for gift cards at a reduced price (free shipping too and no sales tax). Brad’s Deals has some super great places to shop for items on sale and with a promo code, get even more savings. I not only save on gas and time running all over, I can sit in the comfort of my home watching my favorite tv shows (dressed in my jammies) with a nice hot cup of tea and take my time picking and choosing. I keep a list of what I buy and for whom (plus cost), wrap with paper and ribbons I buy in bulk on sale and store in a closet. I’m all done now so I can enjoy the holidays, spending the rest of the time making cookies for our neighborhood exchange, family and friends and decorating the house. The internet is the greatest invention because you can find just about anything you are looking for at a price you’re willing to pay (e-bay has some great deals too and you can even negotiate).
miss judi

Howdy Mary! You would be Soo proud of me! I am currently unemployed, I was a full-time student until my family drama forced me to withdraw–AnyWay! I have 3 sons with 5 GrandKidlets to send gifts to…So! I took a tip from one of your articles and carry a 3X5 card with me with the Kidlets listed, the occasion (birthday, Christmas, summer, Easter), so I can know in a Second if I have the upcoming occasion covered or not.
Example: I was Certain that I had Christmas all wrapped up, but took one last look before treasure-hunting in my favorite thriftstore–I had one Kidlet with NO Gift! I found him some great things, with no time pressure.
I start hunting for gifts the day after the holiday-Christmas, Valentine’s Day, etc to take advantage of the 1/2 price sales, and keep a current list of my ‘store’.
I do have a question for you Mary, I have an added pressure — one son will only acCept brand new presents. He has told me that he, “didn’t like that toy! I could tell it was used!”–he is carrying around a bit of resentment for the hand-me-downs he had while he was a Kiddo. Any suggestions?
Keep up the Great Work!
miss judi

OOO! I forgot to tell you all about library book sales! I was out of state visiting a library and finished up my Christmas shopping and Then some!! Our library here has regular sale days–perhaps your area has a similar schedule.
J Eleanor

I am 73 and have had Christmas at my house every year as long as I can remember. The trouble is we have a small house and our family is growing
there just is not enough room. Everyone helps but last year it took me a

week to recover from Christmas. I would like to have time to enjoy the
season and not have Christmas at my house. Any suggestions.
Thanks,
grandma
- kaetra
  
  Have you shared your concerns with other family members? Maybe they think because it’s always been at your house that you would be upset if they suggested it be hosted at another family member’s house? I’ll just bet there is someone in your family that has always wanted to host it at their house but doesn’t want to suggest it because they don’t want to upset “tradition”.
- amom22kids
  
  I remember when (after my mom was out of the hospital one year) my dad said loud and clear to me, “We can’t have it any more, it’s too hard on mom and you guys can do it! We don’t need that many people in the house at one time.” Are you able to have someone say something that? I know it sounds harsh but we all just thought since Christmas Eve had always been held there, it would just always be there. Sometimes a reminder is all the family needs. And Grandma, no one’s feelings were hurt, we just changed the venue, not the holiday.
TD

Fortunately, I own a thrift shop. And fortunately, neither my family members nor friends mind receiving a pre-owned gift. Where else could I find:

a D&G leather handbag (yep, the real deal) for $50;
a tux (including shirt, bow tie & cumberbund) for my crazy SIL for $15;
brand new Land’s End dress shoes to go with the tux on the clearance rack for 50 cents;
a plethora of Land’s End brand long undies, turtlenecks, long sleeved tees, and coat for my son for a total of $26;
a Little Tykes kitchen for the baby for $5;
vintage soup tureen with matching soup bowls for my friend for $10;
set of 8 beautiful etched vintage wine glasses from the late 1800s for another friend for $15;
new and like-new Aeropostale & American Eagle hoodies for $5 to $7 each;
bcbg top for daughter for $5.
a HUGE fishing net for my dad for $8;
another plethora of Land’s End turtlenecks for my mom in every color for $1.50 each.

Mall? What Mall? I can’t remember the last time I went to the Mall. I have a lot more fun haunting thrift shops, finding unique gifts, and making my money go farther. Happy Thrifty Holidays to everyone!

Getting a Holiday Head Start

Share this: