Gifting- Your Plan of Attack (Day 1)

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Have you made your list ;)? For those of you who missed it, yesterday's assignment was to set your timer for fifteen minutes and make a list of all of the people you plan to gift in some fashion this year- from family to neighbors to coworkers. If you haven't done so yet, take the time to do it today.

Now you have your list. This will be a key component of your game plan- frame it, laminate it, keep it close so you can refer back to it again and again, making notes and checking people off as you've gotten their gifts.

The next most important thing in nailing down your plan is planning your budget. If you've waited until the last minute to pick up gifts in previous years, I'm sure you've spent more than you should of or even could of, just because the tyranny of the urgent was thrust upon you. I've been there too!

Anyone who has spent any amount of time listening to Dave Ramsey knows that you should never spend what you don't have or can't afford. Make that commitment right now. Repeat after me: I will not spend more than what I can reasonably afford this Holiday season. Keep on reminding yourself of this commitment when the pressures of our national Holiday materialism begin to cave in on you.

If you are feeling stressed about a lack of funds, please relax! At the end of the day, all you can give is what you have, and it is far more honoring to God to live contentedly within your resources (vs. overspending just to give "better" more expensive gifts).

Besides, tomorrow I will be sharing plenty of ways to expand your gift budget without spending another penny, and the next day we'll be looking at frugal and lovely homemade gifts you can give!

If you're interested in making a little bit of extra cash to spend for the Holidays, Crystal of Money Saving Mom is running a series this month on "31 Ways to Earn Extra Cash Before Christmas." An expert on frugality and home economics, you're sure to glean a few good pointers from her.

Today's assignment: Sit down and make a budget for holiday gifts. If you are married, be sure to discuss and come to an agreement on a specific dollar amount with your spouse.

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Other Posts In This Series:

Introduction "HAPPY Holidays: Your No Stress, Ready To Bless Guide To Getting Christmas Done Early!"

Linked With: Wise Woman, Women Living Well, Frugally Sustainable, Deep Roots at Home and We Are That Family.