How to Budget for the Holidays

That well-known time of the year known as "the holidays" begins in late October (if you wish to count Halloween) and ends around January 2 (if you celebrate New Year's Day). It isn't a term you will see on a wall calendar with a big "Holidays Begin" in bold letters, and it means something slightly different for everyone, but we all know what it means to us. For some it means strictly religious observance or celebration. Others think of it as time spent with family and friends. Still...
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That well-known time of the year known as "the holidays" begins in late October (if you wish to count Halloween) and ends around January 2 (if you celebrate New Year's Day). It isn't a term you will see on a wall calendar with a big "Holidays Begin" in bold letters, and it means something slightly different for everyone, but we all know what it means to us. For some it means strictly religious observance or celebration. Others think of it as time spent with family and friends. Still more people view it as a time of year to think of those in need, and soup kitchens and blood drives get an annual boost from all the giving.Regardless of exactly what the holidays mean to you, they probably mean spending. Whether you spend on traditional meals or on gifts for everyone or on outfits for a variety of functions that require your attendance, there can be ignoring the fact that starting in early November, we start to feel anxious about our wallets.These two things - the traditions that bring warmth into our lives and the holiday spending - don't have to cancel each other out. It is easy to forget the good feelings that go along with sharing time with family when we are worried about making ends meet. That is why we need to think about doing the holidays on a budget. If we can control our spending amidst all of the lights and gift wrap and cookies, then we can more thoroughly enjoy the entire experience of the holidays.Rather than a specific plan laid out for budgeting, this book encourages you to find a budget (with a few tips about how) and cut back on what you usually spend in the fall and winter. It demonstrates a variety of ways to do this: by finding inexpensive solutions, by rethinking how we approach the holidays, and by reevaluating what real giving is. You might find you don't connect with all of the ideas here, but some are sure to appeal to you. Even if you only shake off some of the anxiety the holidays bring, you will find a more peaceful holiday season. No Bah Humbug about it.