How to Financially Survive Christmas

It’s not even December yet and you can feel the tension.

The financial tension – that is.

It’s bad enough that you have to get gifts for every member of your household and a few other extended households as well, but you slept through Black Friday and you didn’t have a strong internet connection for Cyber Monday.

Now you’re freaking out.

And you’ve barely paid off last year’s Christmas gifts credit card bill. Things are not looking great.

You could still buy a one way ticket to Tahiti.

Or you could simply pay attention to these 4 tips on how to survive Christmas without losing your wallet or your mind!

1. Be Selective. No matter what your sister in law says, you really don’t have to get every human being in your 100 mile radius a Christmas gift. It’s time to be selective folks. Prioritize, strategize, simplify. That gal who made eye contact with you at work once does not need a gift token of your appreciation. She barely remembers who you are. If you can’t get out of certain obligations, set a limit on the amount you can spend and stick to it!

2. Be Creative. There is nothing I love more than a thought out and personal Christmas present. Look, it may take longer and involve putting your creative self out there, but it will save you money and deepen a friendship at the same time. I have a plate in my living room that my nieces and nephew gave me a couple of years ago that I will treasure forever. This year I’m hoping to get some art by my nephews. Write someone a poem. Videotape a message to them. Be creative!

3. Be Anal. Repeat after  me: “I will not use my credit card for this year’s Christmas gifts”. I’m serious. Say it and believe it. Throw out your credit card if you have to. The easiest way to survive this year’s holiday season is to only spend what you have. Sit down and budget and believe me, that will help you out with number 1. Do not believe yourself when you find yourself convincing yourself that you will be able to use your January pay check to cover the difference. Stop lying to yourself. January will bring its own bills along. Be anal about this.

4. Be Strong. Lastly, be strong, my friend. Many will convince you that I am not realistic, and that everyone overspends at Christmas. That is simply not true. You need to be strong when it comes to your wallet because nobody else will be. Odds are a week after Christmas nobody but your sister in law will remember what you gave them for Christmas, and if you’re lucky like I am, your sister in law will find herself heavy on grace.

Look at the  end of the day, it’s not what you give that matters as much as this: Have you received the priceless gift of the Savior, Jesus Christ?

Because after all, that is the whole reason for the season, my friend!

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