How to Keep Your Christmas Spending In Check

Are you keeping your Christmas spending in check?

Did you know that the average American family spends over $900 for Christmas? Now, I don’t know if that freaks you out or makes you mad or upset, but either way that’s a lot of money for the average American family.

Don’t get me wrong, some folks might need a larger budget due to a larger family or large amounts of giving and to be honest, I feel that any amount that a family spends on Christmas is totally okay so long as they planned for it.

But the reality is that most American families DON’T plan for Christmas. They just spend and spend and spend then come January, they find themselves broke and scrambling to pay back all the money they spent for Christmas.

So let me ask you a question – do you have a Christmas budget?

Do you know how much cash you can afford to spend for Christmas this year? Do you know how much money you spent for Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, or Cyber Monday or even how much you gave on Giving Tuesday?

I’m not judging because goodness I can spend some money on Christmas. Seriously, there was one Christmas where I had racked up over $800 on a credit card and I couldn’t even tell you what I bought. And the thing is, I don’t want this for you. I don’t want where you find yourself in January crying over a stack of bills wondering how you’ll pay it all back.

That’s no way to start a New Year and that’s certainly no way to celebrate Christmas by borrowing a ton of money you don’t have.

Because here’s the thing, Christmas is more than just gifts. I know you know that. I know that I don’t have to preach the Gospel and tell you that Christ is the reason for Christmas (it means Christ Mass), but if you aren’t actively seeking Him this season, then what are you seeking?

That Christmas where I spent over $800 buying gifts and whatever the heck else I bought, I wasn’t seeking Jesus. I was seeking the thrill of finding the best deals and giving gifts that would make the recipients go “wow!” or “this is the best gift ever” or even “how did you know”. And this is not the reason for the season.

Yes, giving is definitely a big part of Christmas, but it is not the only thing.

I firmly believe that when we are intentional about life – especially how we’ll celebrate big things like Christmas, I believe life is better lived. So how can we make this Christmas season special on a limited budget?

Click here to read the full post and to join the Debt-Free Christmas Challenge!

Looking for more Christ-centered posts, Advent activities and resources?

• 7 Tips to Homeschool Successfully on a Tiny Budget
• The Key to the Perfect Christmas
• 24 Days to A Christ-Centered Christmas Blog Party
• Five Attitude Checks for Moms Keeping a Christ-Centered Christmas
• Focus on Jesus with a Unique Advent Calendar for Kids

Find Christ-Centered Christmas Decor & Gifts Here:

Fisher-Price Little People A Christmas StoryLED Flameless Nativity Candles – Set of 3Nativity Playset for Children 19 Pieces by BibleToys. Includes Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus. Christmas Toys for ChildrenMelissa & Doug Classic Wooden Christmas Nativity Set With 4-Piece Stable and 11 Wooden FiguresFisher-Price Little People NativityPLAYMOBIL Nativity Stable with MangerKurt Adler 11-Piece Nativity SetThe Nativity StoryThe NativityOutdoor Nativity Store Holy Family Outdoor Nativity Set (Large, Color)EasyGo Large Outdoor Nativity Scene – Large Christmas Yard Decoration Set and Reusable For Many Years!!Winter Wonderland Holiday Nativity Set LED ProjectorNativity Shadow BoxChristmas Holiday Nativity Mason Jar Decal Sticker Set – 24 Sheets2 Dozen (24) Make a NATIVITY SCENE Sticker Sheets Religious Education – VBS CHRISTMAS Party Classroom Activity FAVORS – Holiday GIVEAWAY by OTCCelebrating a Christ-Centered Christmas: Seven Traditions to Lead Us Closer to the SaviorCelebrating a Christ-centered Christmas: Children’s EditionA December To Remember: Creating Christ-Centered Family TraditionsA Christ Centered ChristmasJoy to the World: A Devotional Journal for AdventHow to Create a Christ-Centered Christmas for Your Kids: Practical, Hands-On Activities to Help Your Child Focus on Christ at Christmas12 Gifts for Christ: Traditions, Activities, and Devotionals for a Christ-Centered Christmas12-Day Nativity: Christmas Activities for a Christ-Centered HomeDiscovering the True Spirit of Christmas: Fifteen Minutes a day to a Christ-centered ChristmasChristmas: It’s Jesus’ Birthday, Not Yours (30 Day Devotional Series)Teaching the Gifts of Christmas: A Christ Centered Family Christmas Time TraditionChristmas Without Santa Creating a Christ-Centered Christmas

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About jessifearon

Jessi is a financial coach, wife, and mom to three kids. Her and her family paid off over $55,000 of debt in 2 years and are nearly a 100% debt-free (just $18K left to go on the mortgage!). Jessi loves encouraging and teaching others how to live life by a budget and to make being chained to debt a thing of the past.