A Little Planning, a Little Less Wrapping Paper

November 3, 2026

I love Christmas! I love finding gifts for the people I care about, making it special for my kids and seeing everyone open something I picked out for them. I also know myself well enough to admit that I tend to go overboard. There is always one more thing that would be perfect for someone, and those “just one more” purchases add up quickly. So, this year, I’m trying to put a little more planning behind all that enthusiasm!

With the help of my Project Money Coach, earlier this year I opened a holiday savings account and started transferring money into it from each paycheck. When I’m ready to start Christmas shopping, that account will be my fund. Having money specifically set aside gives me a clearer idea of what I can spend, and I’m hoping it will help me enjoy the season without feeling the financial impact long after the decorations come down.

One thing I’ve realized through Project Money is how much it helps to prepare for expenses before they’re right in front of me. Christmas comes at the same time every year, but somehow, it’s still easy to feel caught off guard by the cost.

My goal this year is to be more intentional and a little less extravagant. I’ve visually laid out my holiday spending, including who I’m buying for. Seeing it all together helps me understand how many individual purchases I’m planning to make. With everyone on the list, it makes it easier to be more selective about what I’m buying and why.

As a mom, it’s easy to get caught up in wanting to create that big Christmas morning moment. But there are toys in our house that barely get used, and I’m keeping that in mind as I think about this year. I’d like to lean more into experiences and time together, things we can look forward to and remember. Those will need to fit into the budget, too, but I like the idea of putting more thought into how a gift will actually be enjoyed.

The other part of this plan that I’m excited about is keeping the account going after Christmas. Between birthdays and other celebrations throughout the year, gift spending adds up fast. Turning my holiday account into a year-round gifting fund feels like something I can realistically maintain! Continuing to contribute from each paycheck will help soften the hit when those busier celebration months roll around.

I’m learning that a useful budget has to make room for the things that matter to me, and celebrating people is one of those things. Giving that spending its own place in my plan feels like a practical way to support both my generosity and my financial goals.