I love Christmas but the spending spiral is too real - here are 8 things I’m changing this year

I adore Christmas - the music, the food, the lights, the excuse to wear glitter at noon.

But every year, it hits me the same way: I start with good intentions and end up overspending on everything from gifts to wrapping paper that ends up in the bin.

By January, I’m left with joy hangover, receipts everywhere, and the deep sense that I bought more stuff than meaning.

This year, I’m doing it differently.

Not because I’m turning into the Grinch — but because I want Christmas to feel cozy, not chaotic.

Here are eight small but intentional changes I’m making this year to stop the spiral and bring back the magic.

1. Setting a real, honest budget (and actually sticking to it)

Every year, I tell myself I’ll “spend less,” but I never define what “less” actually means.

This year, I wrote down a number.

Not a vague guideline - a specific limit that covers gifts, food, decor, and outings.

And here’s the game-changer: I’m treating it like a boundary, not a punishment.

Once the number is set, I don’t keep moving the goalposts every time something “cute” or “limited edition” shows up.

I’m also using cash or debit only - because nothing kills impulse buying like watching your balance shrink in real time.

It’s amazing how much more thoughtful you get when you can literally see where your money goes.

2. Giving fewer gifts — but better ones

I used to buy gifts like I was trying to fill a department store.

Little trinkets, last-minute fillers, endless “just in case” items that nobody needed.

Now, I’m choosing fewer, more meaningful things - one thoughtful gift instead of five forgettable ones.

A handwritten note.

A framed photo.

A homemade dessert wrapped in brown paper and string.

It’s about intention, not volume.

People remember how they felt when they opened something, not how many packages they tore into.

3. Cutting back on “festive pressure” spending

You know the type - matching pajamas, luxury candles, $90 wreaths, themed glassware for one night of use.

It’s fun until it’s not.

This year, I’m saying no to the “Instagram holiday aesthetic” that demands a new outfit, new decor, and new debt.

I’m reusing what I already have - the garland from last year still works just fine.

I’m skipping coordinated wrapping paper themes and going back to simple kraft paper.

And guess what? It feels more authentic.

Because joy doesn’t come from aesthetic perfection. It comes from relief.

4. Planning experiences instead of excess

The best memories I have of past holidays have nothing to do with what I bought.

They’re about who I was with - long walks after dinner, board games that got a little too competitive, laughing over burnt cookies.

So instead of booking fancy dinners and expensive events, I’m organizing cozy get-togethers that focus on connection.

Movie nights, potlucks, ornament swaps, or charity volunteering.

You spend less, but gain more.

It’s not about skipping fun - it’s about finding it in the moments that don’t come with a receipt.

5. Sticking to a “no new decor” rule

This one’s tough.

Holiday decor is my weakness - twinkly lights, cozy mugs, scented pinecones, I want it all.

But here’s what I’ve learned: every year, I end up buying duplicates of what I already own.

So this time, I’m unpacking the storage box early and reminding myself what’s already there before I step foot in a store.

I’ll get creative - rearrange, repurpose, or mix in a few foraged touches like pine branches and dried oranges.

It’s amazing how much more personal your home feels when it’s decorated with memory, not merchandise.

6. Focusing on presence over perfection

This year, I’m giving myself permission to do Christmas imperfectly.

If the cookies burn, if the wrapping is uneven, if I forget the cranberry sauce - it’s fine.

Nobody remembers a flawless holiday. They remember a warm one.

I want to enjoy my family, not impress them.

I want laughter, not exhaustion.

And if my house looks like less of a Hallmark movie, so be it.

Because the older I get, the more I realize - calm feels better than impressive.

7. Starting the planning earlier than usual

Most of my overspending comes from last-minute panic.

When you shop in a rush, everything feels urgent, and “that’ll do” turns into “I’ll deal with it later.”

This year, I’m starting early, even if it’s just writing lists and setting dates.

Early planning spreads the costs, saves the stress, and lets you think more clearly.

It also helps avoid those impulsive extra trips to the store where temptation always wins.

I’m setting reminders in my phone for gifts, meals, and gatherings, so December doesn’t sneak up on me.

Being organized feels less glamorous than spontaneity, but it’s much kinder to your wallet and your sanity.

8. Making gratitude a bigger part of the season

When you focus on what you already have, you naturally want less.

So this year, I’m making gratitude the foundation of my holiday season.

I’m writing thank-you notes, reflecting on the year, and slowing down to actually enjoy the moments I usually rush through.

Before I buy something new, I’ll pause to ask myself, “Would this really make the holiday better?”

Most of the time, the answer is no.

When you choose gratitude, you start seeing abundance everywhere - not just in shopping bags.

It’s a quieter kind of joy, but one that lasts long after the tree comes down. 

Closing reflection: reclaiming the season

I still love Christmas - probably more than ever.

But this year, I want to feel peaceful on December 26th, not financially hungover.

I want the holiday to feel full - of laughter, good food, and meaning - not clutter and stress.

By changing how I spend, I’m also changing how I experience the season.

And maybe, that’s the real gift.