How to Get Ahead on Christmas: Your Ultimate Holiday Prep Guide!

Gianna Gerbick, Reporter • October 29, 2024

The holiday season is a time for joy – celebrations – and often – significant spending. However, preparing for Christmas spending doesn’t have to lead to financial stress. With careful planning and smart budgeting, you can enjoy the festivals without breaking the bank. Here’s how to effectively prepare for your Christmas spending-

Start Planning Early-

The earlier you start your preparations, the more organized and less stressed you’ll feel as the season comes. Consider creating a Christmas calendar that outlines key tasks, such as shopping, decorating, and meal planning. Aim to begin your planning in October or early November to spread out the workload.

Make a Budget-

Establishing a budget is crucial to ensure that your holiday spending doesn’t spiral out of control. Decide how much you can comfortably spend on gifts, decorations, food, and entertainment. Sticking to a budget helps prevent financial stress and allows you to enjoy the holidays without guilt.

Create A Gift List-

Write down everyone you plan to give gifts to, from family to friends, to pets and favorites. Assign a budget for each person based on your overall gift budget. Consider group gifts for family or friends to save money.

Meal Planning-

If you like to cook or bake for the holiday make sure you plan on your meals early. This helps avoid last-minute shopping trips and impulsive buys. Before you go out shopping, create a list. Once your menu is set, make a detailed list to prevent overspending at the store. Look for sales and coupons to maximize savings.

Monitor Your Spending-

Keep a record of your spending as you go. This will help you stay within your budget and identify areas where you may need to cut back.

DON’T GO OVERBOARD –

Make sure you aren’t getting too much just for one person. You have to stick to your budget and going overboard on one person is going to ruin the whole plan.

Christmas comes faster and faster every year. Christmas is known to sneak up, so make sure to follow those steps and you will be all set for years to come!

About the Contributor

Gianna Gerbick, Reporter

Gianna Gerbick is part of the class of 2026 at Oakmont Regional High School. This is her first year being part of The Oakmonitor. She plays for a travel softball team during the summer, winter, and fall. She plays for Oakmont varsity softball during the spring. She likes to swim, go to the beach, tan, and play softball in the summer. She loves to be around her friends, family, and her dogs, Scooby and Benji.