The words Christmas and budget do go together! The key to putting happy in the Happy Holidays is to plan and execute that plan.
The Christmas Budgeting Form is a handy form that it is still not to late to use for this Christmas and keep on hand for next year. (Start a new one in January and you will know how much each month you need to save for your Christmas 2015 budget!)
I like this form because it includes other items and categories besides gifts. Gifts are only one part of Christmas expense.
Wrapping Expense - Paper, boxes, ribbons, tape
Christmas Cards - Photo shoot, printing of cards, stamps
Food and Entertainment - Special meals such as Christmas dinner, a meal out, a special activity such as ice skating/skiing
Travelling Expenses - Gas, Airfare, Hotels, Food Costs
Charitable Donations - Church, Homeless Shelter, Angel Tree...There are so many different options to give to others this season!
Miscellaneous
Gifts/Homemade Gift Supplies
For the gifts category, I made a list of every one that we will be purchasing a gift for and the amount that we will spend. From this form, I know my entire Christmas budget needed.
One of the printable forms that I have enjoyed using this Christmas season is the Printable Christmas Gift List. I have one for each member of our family.
For example, each daughter has a budgeted amount of money for their gifts. I put that amount at the top in the Budgeted Amount slot. As I order or purchase a gift on their list, I write it in the Gift Description slot and the amount I spent. It serves as a ledger for me. I know the gifts I have purchased, the amount I spent and the amount that is left in their budget. You can also mark if it is wrapped. A really helpful tool!
Christmas can be a stressful time of year if you allow it to become so. Being organized with just a few tools and helps can greatly reduce the stress. Come into the new year knowing you stayed on budget for the holidays without debt.
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