How to Do Christmas on a Budget without Feeling like Scrooge

Try these tips for doing Christmas on a budget – without feeling like Scrooge. You can make this a magical Christmas and still stick to a tight budget.

How to do Christmas on a Budget without Feeling Like Scrooge - Try these tips to help you stick to your Christmas budget without the guilt of feeling as cheap as Scrooge, or the stress of overspending. You can still find meaningful gift ideas for the people (especially the kids) on your list. Make this a magical Christmas for your family, and still come through it debt free with these tips for managing expectations at Christmas. Let’s get started!

Our hearts swell along with the Grinch’s, as he joins in song with the Who’s of Whoville, though bereft of their Christmas decorations and presents.

We celebrate with Scrooge as he leaps down the street on Christmas morning, doling out gifts to the poor.

Charlie Brown’s protest of the ‘over commercialism of Christmas’ and his rag-tag Christmas tree are beloved by all.

Everywhere we look are cultural reminders pointing us back to the true meaning of Christmas, but you wouldn’t know it by the way we go right on spend, spend, spending through the holidays.

The Real Problem with Sticking to Your Christmas Budget

I polled some members of the Affording Motherhood community recently about their biggest challenges sticking to their Christmas budget. The responses were pretty surprising.

Sure, I got plenty of replies stating the obvious, “I don’t have enough cash to make it through the holidays.”

But those were far and away surpassed by another problem that caused people to overspend their Christmas budgets. And that was the ‘E’ word.

I’ve come to think of this as a four-letter-word, even though it actually has 12.

EXPECTATIONS.

This one little word has the power to push people into debt for this annual holiday and in some cases to even skip out on necessities like groceries to please those around them.

6 Tips for Managing Expectations at Christmas

The good news is you can still give your family a fantastic Christmas, even if you plan to cut back on your spending this year. These tips for managing expectations at Christmas will help you do just that!

1. Before You Manage Expectations

Before you think about managing expectations at Christmas, find out what those expectations actually are.

Take some time today to talk to your immediate family and find out what’s most important to them to make this a joy-filled Christmas.

You might be surprised.

What activities and gifts were not on their must-have lists you might be able to step back from this year to save money and reduce stress at the same time?

2. The Gift Is in the Giving

My little ones have worn the Costco and Target toy ads ragged by running their fingers across the pages, pointing to each toy and repeating, “I want this, I want this, I want all these.”

Of course, we all know,

It is more blessed to give than to receive.

But at this time of year, with all of the toy catalogs and commercials, it’s not surprising to see kids of every age getting a case of the “gimmies.”

To help your children to take the focus off themselves and to experience the joy of giving, try this. (A friend shared this idea with me, and I loved it!)

Instead of Mom or Dad taking full responsibility of Christmas shopping, let your kids get on the action. Take them to the store or help them go online and allow them to select a gift that one of their family members would love.

This would be a meaningful activity for any age. If they’re old enough, make it even more of a challenge, and give them a budget to stay within. (You can download your own Christmas Budget Worksheet printable to help get you started.)

I can only imagine what it would be like to tell a 14 year that’s expecting an iPhone that Christmas isn’t going to go the way she wants it. I’m sure it may take some time to readjust those expectations.

Remember though, you set the standard for your family. This is your chance to instill a solid foundation when it comes to both generosity and finances.

What a huge gift it would be to your children to help them learn these lessons before leaving the nest!

3. The Greatest Gift

Another way to put those expectations into perspective is to redirect attention to the true reason for the season.

In my family, we always make a birthday cake for baby Jesus on Christmas Eve after attending a candlelight service together.

While I love those traditions, I also know it’s important to keep our focus on the greatest gift throughout the holiday season.

We’ll do that by doing a short and simple daily reading and light candles.

It’s super quick and inexpensive to make your own Advent wreath.

4. We Don’t Do DIY

Sometimes, it isn’t the kids in the family who have a case of the ‘gimmies’.

From time to time, I get an email from readers sharing that it’s the grownups who are making Christmas more stressful and expensive.

Sometimes it’s the in-laws who don’t do DIY gifts. Or the adults are obsessed with name-brand toys for their kids.

Perhaps your extended family has grown over the years and each member of the family is expecting a present.

In these situations, there are a couple of options.

First off, of course, communication is always the best path.

If expensive name-brand gifts are not in your budget this year, the best way to avoid disappointment on Christmas day is to share your plans beforehand.

Remember to emphasize the positives: you love them, you’ll do everything you can to find gifts they’ll love and are within your budget.

You might want to be open about your reasons for choosing to do Christmas on a smaller budget this year.

Finally, consider offering some possible solutions. Maybe suggest drawing names for the adults, so there are less presents to buy, but each one still gets to open a gift.

Yes, it is possible it it won’t be received well. On the other hand, it might be a relief to your other family members and help take some expectations off their shoulders as well.

Those people you were trying to please or impress with your brand name gifts and your Pinterest decorations and dinners…they probably feel the same way you do.

And remember, there are many great Christmas gifts on a budget that aren’t DIY. Here are some of my favorite frugal gift ideas to get you started.

5. What If?

It’s true, your best efforts to communicate your dream of a debt free Christmas to your mother in law might not go over so well. In those moments, it’s up to you to decide how far you’re willing to go for your goals.

Are you willing to face the consequences of saying “no” when spending more doesn’t line up with your goals and values?

It might sound scary and awkward to defy expectations, but in all likelihood, it’s a temporary discomfort and not life-altering.

Try asking yourself: “What if I don’t ?”

Answer the question for both the positive and negative potential outcomes.

For example, “What if I choose not to give gifts to all of my 6 adult siblings and their spouses this year?”

In the bad column you might have:

  • Siblings disappointed
  • They might look at me like I’m cheap

In the good column, you could imagine:

  • Siblings secretly happy to not have to exchange presents
  • We can focus on buying gifts for the kids instead
  • Pay Off Debt Faster (or not go into additional debt)
  • Less stress and busyness

Get as crazy and as exaggerated as you can.

Soon you’ll see that although disappointing expectations and saying “no” can be painful, choosing to cut back on the gift list or making simple handmade gifts won’t be grounds for estrangement.

6. Remember Your Reason

When deciding whether or not to meet all the swirling expectations surrounding Christmas, remember your reason for wanting to stick to a budget in the first place.

Could you avoid the stress of being short on funds after the holidays?

Maybe it would mean you start the new year without any new debt.

For some, it might allow you to move through Christmas without cutting back on essentials like groceries!

Would it give your kids an opportunity your kids to be less entitled and more generous?

Could you offer a more peaceful, joyfilled version of yourself to your family, instead of rushing around in the busyness of shopping?

You get to choose.

Managing Expectations at Christmas without Feeling Like Scrooge

Ultimately, as the Grinch discovered, Christmas doesn’t come from a store.

Although we may see messages of consumerism at every turn, we can manage expectations at Christmas by instilling strong values in our children, communicating with friends and extended family, and choosing the best for our families and our financial futures.

If you’re ready to make this the year you thoughtfully prioritize your spending while still creating a magical Christmas to remember, join us for the Christmas Budget Challenge.

You’ll get a free printable budget, frugal gift ideas, and encouragement from Facebook group.

What are the hardest expectations for you to navigate at Christmas?

shannon Clark, LIFE & FINANCIAL Coach

As a mom, I know what it's like to feel exhausted, overwhelmed by life, and inadequate to meet my children's needs. But I also know you don't have to stay there.

As an author and coach, I've had the joy of encouraging more than 9.1 million moms to find forward motion with their faith, family, and finances — without the frenzy.

Will you be next?