Are you feeling pressure to spend, spend, spend, for the holidays, regardless of your budget? Many businesses make the bulk of their annual income through holiday sales, so they’re doing their very best to encourage you to purchase more. That’s just the nature of business, but how can you avoid letting FOMO (fear of missing out) take hold and setting up a January of regret? I’ve gathered some tips and articles that might help you avoid getting swept away by the shopping frenzy!
PLAN: Like most things, it’s best to start with a plan! Set a manageable spending amount or range limit. When drawing up a holiday budget, the American Psychological Association suggests including “hidden costs” such as cards, stamps, and any shipping you might do. (Don’t forget gas and travel expenses.) If you’re entertaining or hosting guests, remember you’ll likely spend more on everyday things, like basic food ingredients, paper products, and cleaning supplies.
SET BOUNDARIES: The APA also says it’s a good idea to prioritize spending and remember others will be doing this too. It’s not necessary to purchase a gift for everyone in your life. Instead, consider creative ways to show friends and neighbors you care, like making a treat for the whole office to share, doing a favor (babysitting, errands, repair, craft/music/yoga lesson, dog walking) or going on an outing (to a library event or other community happening) or just meet up for a holiday coffee and conversation. This is also more eco- and space friendly than buying more things.
TRACK: Military OneSource (which provides information and support for military families) reminds gift givers to track credit card spending often so you always know your balance. The site also recommends checking to see what you already have from last year, using phone apps to check for the best prices as you shop, and taking advantage of app coupons.
BE AWARE: Emotional spending is a very real thing. Jessica Walrack talks about this in her article “Inside the Psychology of Overspending and How to Stop in US News & World Report. ” It may help to recognize underlying motivations for overspending. Perhaps think about the spending habits you unconsciously absorbed growing up.
REDUCE WASTE: Reducing the waste created during the holidays can be good for your budget too! A quick question to ChatGPT yielded these ideas for alternatives to wrapping paper: Use a piece of cloth as your wrap, including scarves and towels; Repurpose newspapers or magazines or use kids’ drawings, old calendars, or maps; Place your gift in a reusable shopping bag, jar, or tin.
There’s nothing more budget friendly than the library! Remember NOPL has free events going on all year round. Here are a few book and magazine ideas to check out in the OCPL catalog, and there are many more to discover too!
Dollars & Sense, 
by Dan Ariely
(also available as an Ebook)
Bestselling author and behavioral economist Dan Ariely teams up with financial comedian and writer Jeff Kreisler to challenge many of our most basic assumptions about the precarious relationship between our brains and our money.
Budgeting for Dummies, by Athena Valentine Lent (Ebook)
Author Athena Valentine, founder of the Money Smart Latina blog, offers step-by-step details for creating and following a budget without feeling like you’re depriving yourself and your family.
Overcoming Debt, Achieving Financial Freedom: 8 pillars to build wealth, by Cindy Zuniga-Sanchez
This book offers a holistic approach on how to properly manage money, including debt, from the lens of a first-generation wealth builder.
The Personal Finance Cookbook
, by Nick Meyer
The Personal Finance Cookbook teaches readers how to complete personal finance-related tasks like budgeting, investing, and buying a house in the approachable style of a cookbook.
Money Skills for Teens: a beginner’s guide to budgeting, saving, and investing, by Ferne Bowe
This book covers everything a teenager should know about personal finance. With tips, tricks, and real-life examples, it is the perfect guide to help you develop the necessary skills to budget, save, and invest your money wisely.
Quick and Easy Christmas Crafts: 100 gifts & decorations to make for the festive season
, by Kate Haxell
100 fabulous quick and easy makes for the festive season. All the projects have been carefully selected from Search Press’s best-selling 20 to Make series and are simple enough for beginners as well as seasoned crafters.
The Art of Gifting Naturally, by Angela Maynard
A unique and contemporary guide to the joy of making gifts by hand. Inspired by the seasons, Angela Maynard showcases 20 inspiring projects that are easy to make and perfect to gift to friends and family. (This also includes ways to wrap gifts.)
Joy the Baker – My Favorite Holiday Recipes (EMagazine)
The ultimate guide to celebrating the holidays with our curated collection of festive recipes and gift ideas! This resource is packed with five-ingredient appetizers and creative edible gifts.
Better Homes and Gardens Food Gifts (EMagazine)
Create food gifts that are easy to make from inexpensive, readily available materials. Create festive packages that show off your creativity and holiday spirit but won’t eat up too much precious time.
