Simplifying the Christmas Budget

‘Tis the season for wish lists, shopping and out of control budgets! It’s easy to get caught up in the chaos of gift giving—falling prey to commercials for the next big thing, struggling to fulfill every item on your children’s wish list and piling presents under the tree. Of course, 2 weeks later that toy they had to have is lying abandoned under a bed or, worse yet, already broken.

Several years ago, I made a conscious effort to take more care in selecting gifts for my girls. I wanted to purchase things that would be lasting and have more meaning for the girls. It was just so hard to know where to draw the line, until I stumbled on this Victorian adage that changed the way we think of gifts. Each girl now knows they will receive:

Something you want,
Something you need,
Something to wear,
And something to read.

This allows me to purchase 1 of the frivolous items on their list—just one so I am forced to choose very carefully. I have no problem passing the rest of their list off to grandparents, though. Something you need requires a gift that is utilitarian in nature. In the past, we’ve helped them redecorate their rooms or gifted decorative bins to help them organize the rest of their toys. Something to wear and read should be fairly obvious, but feel free to get creative with it! Kids can read books, magazines or even write-your-own story kits. Something to wear isn’t always just clothes. We’ve given snow boots, new shoes, hats, belts and even dress-up clothes.

Having a specific formula for gifts helps keep your budget under control. You know exactly how many gifts you will be buying for each child. It keeps holiday shopping lists in check, and actually makes it a little more fun. My girls like to guess which part of the poem they’ll be unwrapping, instead of just what is inside. The holidays should be a fun, relaxing time so don’t let yourself get caught up in clutter and chaos. Set a budget, stick to it and enjoy a little creativity while you simplifying your shopping list.