Mindful Spending for a More Meaningful Holiday

The holiday season often brings joy, celebration, and connection, but it can also bring financial stress and pressure to spend. Between travel, gifts, and gatherings, the costs can add up quickly. This Monday, take small steps to ease financial stress and make more room for what matters most.

Set a Budget

Setting a realistic budget helps you enjoy the season without the stress of overspending. Take a few minutes to list out expected expenses and set spending limits that feel doable, not draining. Use Monday as your weekly check-in to track spending and adjust your plan if needed. Budget items will likely vary, but some potential groupings to include are:

• Travel
• Gifts
• Decorations
• Events
• Food

Adjust Gifting Practices with Your Community

Talk openly with friends or family about holiday spending. Chances are others feel the same way and honest conversations might make it easier to change expectations. Try suggesting new traditions that make the holidays more affordable for everyone, such as:

• Setting price limits on gifts
• Agreeing on “no gifts” or “only for kids” rules
• Drawing names from a hat or set up a white elephant so that everyone needs to bring just one gift to exchange

Give More Affordable Gifts

Buying holiday gifts can be prohibitively expensive, but one way to make gifting more affordable is by making presents or sharing your time and support instead. Thoughtful gifts like these can help you save money and are often more personal and meaningful for receivers. Try some of the following options:

• Homemade crafts like candles, body scrubs, or art like embroidery or a collage
• Cook a meal or offer to babysit
• Do you have any skills? Offer to teach a personalized class!

Find Intention in the Holiday Rush

The holidays can bring a lot of activity, which can feel overwhelming. Take a few mindful moments to reflect on what matters most to you—family traditions, faith, community, gratitude, or simply slowing down. Let those priorities guide how you spend your time, energy, and money this season.

This Monday, take a moment to check in with yourself and make a plan to ease financial stress. Even small steps like reviewing your budget or talking with loved ones about expectations can help you feel more in control. Get started with our Holiday Financial Stress Exercise worksheet to find balance this season.

Looking for more? Check out our full Financial Stress resource for managing money-related stress year-round.