Rethinking Holiday Spending: Joy Over Price Tags

It’s hard to imagine the holidays without gift-giving. But what’s harder is paying for those gifts’ for months afterward. With record-high prices and incomes that haven’t kept pace, maybe it’s time to rethink how to celebrate the season.

In my family, we focus on connection over consumption. We pull names, set a spending limit, and make the holidays about spending time together, fun, laughter, and good food - leaving behind stress and debt. Let’s face it, no matter your age, it feels good to give and receive a thoughtful gift. But it feels even better to create life long memories and maintain everyone’s financial well-being.

The Bigger Financial Picture

Money doesn’t buy happiness, but it does buy comfort and stability — two things that make happiness easier to reach. Having enough to afford a comfortable home, have healthy food, access to quality healthcare, and other essentials means less stress and more freedom to focus on what truly matters.

Financial stability isn’t just about numbers — it’s about mental and emotional well-being. When you’re not worried about bills or debt, you can actually enjoy life more fully. Money may be man-made, but it’s deeply tied to our quality of life. The key is deciding how much power you allow it to have. True financial peace comes when you stop letting money dictate your joy.

Low-Cost Holiday Ideas That Mean More

If you want to step away from the pressure of overspending this holiday season, here are a few budget-friendly ideas that create meaning without maxing out your wallet:

·       Offer to teach a skill you have

·       Give handwritten gratitude and appreciation notes

·       Give handmade gifts

·       Collage of old family pictures - framed or ornaments

·       Spend time together working on a project

·       Have a favorite movies marathon with homemade snacks

·       Interview the person and write a short book about their life

This year, give yourself and your loved ones the gift of presence — not pressure.

Lana, Financial Coach

LWilliam, Personal Finance Education