I am guilty of going completely overboard at Holidays. Primarily Christmas. I have already started Christmas shopping…..in fact, I try to be done by Halloween. I have been known to get WAY too many presents for my kids. Like they could open one every day in December and still have some left over. As they have gotten older, I’ve gotten myself a little more under control because some of the things they want now are more expensive than when they were little tiny, so buying big/expensive gifts at least cuts down on the quantity of gifts, even if it doesn’t cut back on the amount of money.
Since we live far away from family and friends, I feel that I need to make up for it by buying more presents. We still receive presents in the mail from relatives of course, but we don’t go to as many parties and get-to-gethers as we did when we were surrounded by family. Although I know better, I guess I feel presents will make up for anything that is “lacking” during the Holiday season. However, I am bound and determined to keep it basic this year. For two major reasons; 1) We have too much stuff as it is, and we just don’t need anymore TOYS!!! 2) We are planning a trip to Disney early 2015 and I’d rather use any “extra” holiday money toward that trip. So I’ve decided each kid gets maybe one or two big presents, and one or two small presents. Period. 4 total. Maybe 5? 6 tops.
I’m just not sure HOW I’ll do that yet. I don’t know how I’m going to keep myself under control. I try not to go overboard every year, and yet I ALWAYS do. It’s hard for me to keep it simple when it comes to my kids. I want them to have everything, and shopping is just so much fun. Around the Holidays, every time I see something they would enjoy I want to buy it. I love giving presents. I love wrapping presents. I am a Christmas Maniac. I need to make a shopping list and stick to it. I have will power, I need to use it. Choose only a few things for each kid and not be persuaded – no matter what I come across at the store.
Does anyone have tips on keeping spending under control? I want this Christmas to be our less is more Christmas….but how do I go about it? Advice? Suggestions?