Ber months are here! The countdown to Christmas officially begins. Which means, Christmas shopping will start soon.
Christmas means expressing our love for loved ones through gifts and treats. All the more now that the pandemic has limited our interactions with other people, especially our relatives to keep each other safe. But let's not get carried away with our emotions, because if you’re not careful, it’s easy to go overboard with Christmas spending.
Before you go shopping, it is very wise to set a Christmas shopping budget and stay within this budget. Here are Christmas shopping tips.
Set a limit
Find out how much you can shell out for your Christmas expenses. This is not a one-size-fits-all number or percentage as each person or household will have a different amount they’re comfortable with spending.
Begin with how much you make per month, then subtract all of your monthly expenses and emergency funds. With the remaining months before you shop your gifts, how much of what is left are you willing to spend for Christmas gift shopping?
Once you’ve come up with a figure, stick to it. Remember that it’s okay to not fulfill everyone’s Christmas wish list, especially during these trying times. Making them feel that you remember them is more than enough.
Make a Christmas shopping list
Once you’ve decided on a Christmas budget, don’t forget to make a list of all the people you’re giving gifts to and determine your budget for each person. If you can, list down the exact gift you want to give them.
Keep it simple
At the end of the day, the essence of Christmas is about love and thoughtfulness. Instead of focusing on the price of the gift, focus on giving something meaningful like someone’s favorite food or a book by their favorite author. You can even give “experiences” or favors like a dinner together or with their loved ones, a picnic in the park, an afternoon bike ride, or even a homemade gift certificate to help clean their home or babysit their children.
Consider giving homemade gifts
Do you have any talents you can bank on for your Christmas gifts? Do you like arts and crafts? You can give someone a scrapbook of all your favorite memories together. Or perhaps you’re a great chef or baker? A home cooked dish is sure to cheer someone up during the holidays. Homemade gifts are a great and personal way to spread the Christmas spirit at a fraction of the cost.
Celebrating Christmas on a budget does not make it any less meaningful or special. Remember, Christmas, after all, is not about the cost of the gift but the thought that goes behind it.
Let Metrobank guide you in your financial journey. Learn more about our saving tips here.