How do you handle Christmas/Holidays?

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-15-2003
How do you handle Christmas/Holidays?
12
Sun, 12-06-2009 - 10:57am

I just started using a budget in November and did pretty well. December is off to


 


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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-24-2007
Sun, 12-06-2009 - 12:06pm

Hi E,


I saw your into thread as well, so I understand that you've had a tough financial year.

Kate


empty purse

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-05-2006
Sun, 12-06-2009 - 4:18pm

First off, welcome! I haven't read your intro post yet, but I will. I'm not the greatest person to talk to about Christmas spending. I don't spend a lot (I try to keep it to around 300 dollars) but I haven't been saving throughout the year either, which is my ultimate goal. The past few years, my husband has gotten a part time job during the holidays and this money is what we use for Christmas spending. It kind of stinks because we never know how much he's going to be making until the very last minute.

In the past though, I have saved throughout the year for birthdays and holidays. I keep track with my quicken software and I put aside an amount each week that I use for gifts through the year. You can start doing this next year and it will help tremendously with the stress. I try to guestimate how many birthdays I will be going to and I keep the gifts to about $15-25 dollars depending on how well I know the family. Then I calculate for my holiday expenses, with extra baking and decorations added in there and that amount for the whole year gets divided by 52 weeks and I have my "Holiday Savings' amount. Now actually taking this money and saving it is another matter but I have the best intentions at the beginning of each year!

Good luck. This is a very stressful time of year for me as well!

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-04-2008
Mon, 12-07-2009 - 2:31am

Looking at the budget a year ahead is a good start!


I do not have a holiday savings




Avatar for cl_beckymk
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Mon, 12-07-2009 - 8:12am

I'm going to attempt to do the old fashioned Christmas account type of thing.


You don't have to use a bank's official type.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2008
Mon, 12-07-2009 - 8:52am

Hi E and Welcome to the board.

Norma


"Patience is the best remedy for every trouble"- Plautus


iVillage Member
Registered: 07-15-2003
Mon, 12-07-2009 - 4:42pm

Kate


 


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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-15-2003
Mon, 12-07-2009 - 4:44pm

Thanks for your response Abbie! :) I'm hoping the effort to save throughout the year will make Christmas 2010 a little less stressful! Things are relatively simple for me now since I do not have children yet. I'm sure you have a lot more on your plate with your beautiful family! :) Happy holidays and I hope it's not too stressful for you this year.



 


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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-15-2003
Mon, 12-07-2009 - 4:47pm
Thanks for the response Marie! I'm so impressed you get your shopping done in one week! That's awesome. I also avoid the mall at all costs. :)


 


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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-15-2003
Mon, 12-07-2009 - 4:49pm
Thanks for the response Becky! I use ING for my savings, so I might make one of my accounts specifically for the Christmas fund. My nephew's birthday is January 17th so that does make things a little difficult for him.


 


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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-15-2003
Mon, 12-07-2009 - 4:52pm

Thanks for the response and kind words Norma! :) This is only my second month of doing it, but my budget is pretty detailed. Like you, I only used to keep track of "bills" and due dates. Now I have every possible thing that could come up written down (car maintenance/repairs, haircuts, pet related stuff, eating out, entertainment, traveling, etc.). I'm just doing things ink on paper style for now, maybe in the future I'll graduate to spreadsheets. ;)



 


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