Welcome to the first week of Becentsable’s Holiday Boot Camp!
Planning is crucial for a stress-free holiday! This week we will start planning our holiday shopping.
We want to start out by making a list of all the people we are planning to buy something for this year. The secret to this list is to categorize people into groups.
- Your first group should include those you will buy for without question. This group is your top priority!
- Your second group should include those you really want to buy something for but could possibly manage with a card this year.
- Your last group should include those you may possibly buy a small stocking stuffer for or most likely will send a card.
A great way to start your list is to go through your address book or email contact list! Always leave your list out for several days or carry in your purse. It never fails you will remember several people you left off of your original list a few days later. Be sure to include teachers, church friends and clergy, co-workers, bosses or staff and gift exchanges. Do not forget about extra-curricular activities such as the piano teacher or tennis instructor! Those living in urban areas may want to include the doorman, postman or apartment maintenance providers.
Now, it is time to create a second list. This list should include all of the extra expenses and items you will need during this time of year.
- Start off by listing any seasonal donations you plan to give this year; including church, schools or other favorite charities.
- Next, list out all of the special event clothing which will need to be purchased. Do not forget about family portraits or holiday parties!
- Include all of the holiday dinners and parties you will most likely attend or even host. Think about special dishes you will make or bottles of wine you always bring along.
- Are there any other special events you will attend? Or, do you typically travel out of town? List these expenses as well.
- Be sure to list your holiday cards and photos. Do not forget postage!
- If you mail packages, be sure to include the shipping expenses.
- Also, include your wrapping supplies such as paper, gift bags, tags, bows, ribbons and tape.
- Finally, do not leave out your decorating expenses!
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I like the idea of thinking ahead beyond gifts to cards, postage, decor, and so on. I think Christmas expenses can really sneak up on us because I am always thinking of budget in terms of gifts. We do keep our list short by keeping Christmas fairly simple. We’re Christians, so we believe the focus of the holiday should be a celebration of Christ coming to earth to offer hope, love, and life. In our own family, we buy our son one nice gift and fill his stocking, and my husband and I give each other one gift. In my husband’s family, we buy gifts only for the children. In my family, we do a gift exchange so my husband and I each buy one gift for a family member. Then we might give to a few very close friends, plus we send cards out to other family and friends. Friends of mine stress about the 20-some gifts they have to purchase—that can take away from the holiday and really add up! We’ve found this makes it simple and helps keep us focused on Christ for the most part.