Start Saving Now For A Stress-Free Holiday

Author Aimee Thomas

July 6th, 2024 5:41 PM

Stressful Christmas

Can you believe Christmas is only 6 months away? Don’t shoot the messenger. It seems like there may be plenty of time but the holidays have a sneaky way of just popping up out of nowhere. It happens every single time for me. Come December I am scrambling to buy gifts and figure out how to budget and how many paychecks until the big day. This year… Let’s get ahead of the game by starting to save for the holidays NOW. Here’s why you should get a budget together and stick to it for a stress-free Christmas. Sidebar: hopefully I take my own advice.

The Benefits of Early Saving

Avoid the last-minute stress. If you save early you don’t have to rush around frantically like everyone else is trying to get your money together for gifts. If you spread out the savings over the next 6 months it makes it seem so much easier to be happy and not stressed.
Take Advantage of the sales now. With the money you have set aside for Christmas, you can take advantage of the sales that happen throughout the year and not just the month of December or Black Friday.
If something pops in your head that you want to buy for someone throughout the year buy it and put it away. You will have time and money to plan and buy the perfect gifts for your friends and family.
Enjoy the holiday season more with less stress. If you aren’t stressed about money you can focus on what matters during the season. Spending the time with family and friends and doing fun holiday things.

How the heck do you create a budget?

Figure out what your budget is. Estimate how much you want to spend on not just Christmas gifts but decorations, food, travel, and all of the holiday related things be realistic maybe high ball it even, and make sure you are considering your financial situation.
Break it down monthly. Divide your total budget by the 6 months left (or if you are reading this later however many months are left until Christmas.) This will give you your monthly target for saving. I.e. If you’re budget is $1200 you have to save $200 a month.
Use a savings app or spreadsheet on your phone or if you are a pen to paper person like me then write it all down so you can see your progress. It will give you motivation for the next month.
Don’t get too down on yourself if you don’t hit your goal one month. We know life happens when you least expect it. Don’t stress just try to save a little extra the next month.

Stick to the plan

Set up a separate savings account if that’s easier.
Set up auto transfers on pay days so a set amount goes right into the savings account. If it’s not in your checking you won’t be tempted to use it.
Try to cut back on non essential expenses. Maybe skip going to Starbs as many times as you do. Or try to eat in more instead of going out to eat. Every little bit helps.

Christmas may be six months away, but starting your holiday savings now will make you merrier in December. I promise. So, let’s get ahead of the holiday rush and start saving today. Happy (early) holidays!

Aimee Thomas is the morning show co-host of Aimee + Shawn on 102.7 VGS. She has been VGS since the birth of the station in 2022 and has been with Beasley Media Group for nine years doing mornings at various stations in the cluster. Before working in radio Aimee was a bartender at a local restaurant in Las Vegas when a local radio veteran thought she would be perfect in radio because of her crazy stories, knowledge of pop culture, and contagious laugh. Aimee loves writing about new recipes she creates in her kitchen, her favorite artists and actors, and being a mom of two boys.

10 Unforgettable Christmas Experience Gifts

Physical gifts can be cool for a moment, but the memories they create are what truly last a lifetime. This holiday season, why not do your friends and family a favor by skipping the usual physical presents? Maybe consider giving a unique Christmas experience instead?

An experiential gift is just as thoughtful as something you can hold in your hand. The difference is that it won’t end up gathering dust, getting re-gifted, or donated. That’s because experiences, whether it’s a subscription, an activity, or a class, let people give people memories. Whether the giftee does it on their own, with their family, or even with you, it offers opportunities for learning and exploration.

The possibilities are limitless with Christmas experience gifts.

If you’re searching for an exciting experience for adults or children, ther are lots of choices. You could start with something as simple as covering the dinner tab for a couple. Another option is going big by planning a fantastic trip as the ultimate gift for your spouse. For kids and teens, they can dive into fun activities. These can be learning to play an instrument or mastering the art of making their favorite dessert.

Another advantage of opting for experiential gifts is that they make ideal last-minute presents. They can be conveniently purchased online. And if all else fails, a gift card is always an option.

Let’s face it: most of the stuff we buy just because we like it or think we need it tends to fade into the background pretty quickly. This is especially true when they’re given as gifts. We’ve all had those times when we eagerly tore into a physical gift at Christmas or a birthday, only to realize it didn’t quite live up to the hype. It’s even worse when you know that time and money were spent on something you’re not too thrilled about.

Experiences can enrich our lives, contributing to personal growth and opening our minds to new horizons. Meanwhile, dust collectors, especially the ones from distant relatives, don’t quite measure up. You know that feeling, right? It’s like saying, “Thanks, Aunt Rose, but I could’ve done without that Christmas scarf and hand lotion from the buy-one-get-one special at the mall.”

So, when the holiday season or other celebrations roll around, and you’re stuck with gift-buying, consider giving experiences instead of physical items. To help you get started, here are some experiential gifts that would make great Christmas gifts.

Memberships
Gifting an annual membership to a zoo, museum, aquarium, or perhaps, for those aged 21 and above, a wine club or mug club membership can make for a wonderful holiday gift. It’s a simple and thoughtful gesture that can benefit almost everyone this season. Offering your friends or family several months or a full year at a location they cherish is an excellent method to provide them with extra savings and a valuable present they can enjoy throughout the year.

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Outdoor Experiences
Offer the gift of a year-long adventure with the America the Beautiful Annual Pass. This pass grants free entry to all 115 National Parks with entrance fees, along with over 3,000 other federal lands. The pass includes the pass holder and up to three accompanying adults (aged 16 and above), with free admission for children under 15. Similar passes are available at various state parks, city and county parks, as well as botanical gardens nationwide, either for online purchase or directly on-site. It’s a thoughtful present for anyone who enjoys the outdoors.

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Personalized Celebrity Videos
Imagine the excitement of receiving a personalized video message from your beloved celebrity, something you can hold onto for a lifetime. Cameo provides a platform where you can hire celebrities and athletes to create personalized videos, making them memorable gifts. The pricing for Cameo videos is set individually by thousands of actors, artists, and influencers and can range from as low as $1 to as high as $15,000 for personal videos, depending on the celebrity’s status and demand.

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Movie Gift Card
It’s reassuring to know that you’re offering your loved ones something they can personally choose and appreciate. Movie gift cards are a great option as they usually have no expiration date and can be used to buy movie tickets and concessions at the specific theater or theaters from which they are purchased. The recipient can use it for any movie they desire, without having to dip into their own funds.

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Amusement Park Passes
Consider giving tickets to a theme park amusement park as one of the most enjoyable experiential gifts. When presenting tickets as a gift, there’s room for creativity in how you package the gift, whether in a sizable wrapped box or as part of a unique scavenger hunt.

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Indoor Attraction Passes
There are plenty of enjoyable indoor activities to explore, including options like indoor rock climbing, trampoline centers, indoor skydiving, game centers, arcades, and escape rooms. A gift of this kind can be especially convenient for those times when you’re looking for indoor entertainment, especially during bad weather.

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Concert or Show Tickets
Concert or show tickets are a great gift choice. They provide a one-of-a-kind experience and make for a thoughtful way to celebrate your best friend and their interests. Even if they’ve seen the band before, each performance is unique and memorable.

Drazen Zigic/ Getty Images
Sporting Event Tickets
If you have a sports enthusiast in your circle, giving them tickets to a baseball game is a thoughtful gesture to express your care. It’s also an excellent means of enjoying quality time together while rooting for your favorite team. To make the experience even better, you can go the extra mile by including a food voucher along with the tickets.

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Self Care Experience
Offer the perfect gift of relaxation and beauty, whether it’s a spa day, a massage, a facial, or a visit to the salon for hair styling, a wash, or a manicure and pedicure. Depending on the recipient, this could be something you can enjoy together. It’s an opportunity to unwind and connect, spending quality time together, catching up on life, sharing some laughter, and reminiscing about the past.

Strelciuc Dumitru/ Getty Images
Classes or Lessons
Lessons in various experiences, such as cooking classes, dance lessons, or sewing lessons, can be beneficial to many. This kind of gift is well-suited for people who enjoy learning and trying out new experiences. By gifting classes or lessons, you provide someone with an additional means of self-expression.

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