A Christmas Plan

We  have struggled to stay within a reasonable spending plan during gift giving at Christmas. Christmas can be a season of overindulgence.  We’ve found it really helps to have a plan.  We have a strict budget for immediate family and extended family members.   The budget includes everything including stocking stuffers and all gifts.  We have always existed on one income.  That can be tough in a double income culture.

Part of our plan is that we save each month toward Christmas, so that when December comes, the money is ready to go. If we find a great item in September, the money is available and we can purchase the item is then set aside for Christmas.  Our general rule is three gifts per child.  I heard once that Jesus received three gifts from the wise men and that became our policy.  We have a plan and it really simplifies the process.  We give each child a book, an outfit, and a fun item that is age appropriate.  Stocking stuffers are both fun and practical – underwear, socks, shampoo, and some dollar store items they will enjoy, and of course chocolate.

One other simple rule of thumb is that we don’t buy gifts for our neighbors, friends’ kids, and others. We do baking or make something for those special people and set some time aside to spend with them.  Spend time with those we love that is the best gift of all.

This has worked for us.  We stay on a reasonable spending plan and are not hit with huge bills in January.  Our kids do not have an attitude of entitlement and they are grateful people.  Our goal as parents is not to give them everything they want, but to raise responsible people who function well in society that get along with others.  It has really helped to have a plan.

One Response to “A Christmas Plan”

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• Dawn says:

  December 21, 2009 at 8:58 am

  I like it when you said that your children do not have a sense of “entitlement”. I think that that is a mistake we have made, and I am not always sure that the gifts we give are more expected, or appreciated. I think you can give too much!