I was going to post this some other place, but not sure where, so I'll do it here: I used to teach a class in money management/savings at the family and children's services in my area. I always had a lot of signups after the first of the year, and one of the issues was always Christmas.


The one thing that has worked for me for years is to make a list of everything, and I mean everything, you have to do for Christmas, and set priorities for whom you will spend, and divide it by 12. Either set an alert on your computer, or take a Christmas sticker and place it on your calendar for the 25th of every month.


Then do something toward Christmas once a month. You can ask friends to join with you and work together. I used to do this with a group of SAHMs.

Even in July, you can have a yard sale to raise funds for Christmas savings.

Think about all of the things you have to do at Christmas time that you could do before, even cleaning out and organizing wrapping paper, updating your card list, etc. but do something toward it. You can even start now for next Christmas.

I know, most people hate the idea of Christmas until it's here, but
next Christmas, you can be stress free and financially ready for the holiday, and welcome it, instead for dreading it or worried about money.