Keep Christmas affordable

It may still be November but Christmas will be here before you know it. So today I wanted to share a few ways to keep Christmas affordable while still enjoying the season.

Know before you go!

Before you hit the store, log onto Amazon or do shopping of ANY kind have a plan. Know who you’re shopping for, what you want to buy them and what your budget is BEFORE you hit the store. Jot down a few ideas in your planner or type them up in the notes app on your phone.

Actually make a Christmas budget

I know. Mind-blowing stuff happening here. But if you're going to make this work you have to make a budget for each gift, decoration of charitable donation.

And make it realistic. You're probably going to spend more than $20 on your kids. So keep in mind what you spent last year. If you need to pare things down and spend less, cross some things off that list or find cheaper alternatives. 

Focus on traditions

There are things we do as a family that are way more fun than gifts. Things like getting a new pair of Christmas jammies, driving around to see lights, drinking hot cocoa and watching A Charlie Brown Christmas.

Listen and ask

Last year I asked my sister what she wanted for Christmas, then I bought it for her. I know that doesn't sound exciting, but I wanted her to have something she actually needed and wanted.

What better gifts than the ones people can use daily, year-round? 

I also got my mother a gift this year that I heard her say she wanted. I filed the idea away in my brain and when I saw the item at a great price I purchased it.

What about you? How do you keep Christmas affordable?