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Create a holiday budget early. Start the budgeting process by reviewing last year’s holiday purchases. Be sure to include decorations, food, clothes, stamps, cards, wrapping paper, event tickets, meals out, holiday entertainment and office party gifts. This should give you an idea of how much to allot this year.
Create a spending plan. Divide your budget by the number of months or weeks until the final shopping day and pace yourself. For example, if your budget is $1,000 and you have three months until the holidays, try spending $325 a month. This will make it easier for you to absorb the cost of the holidays and to avoid the trauma of having an extra $1,000 on your January credit card balance.
Know what it all costs. Even if you finish your gift buying early, realize that the holidays involve many more expenses than just gifts. Don’t forget the incidentals such as gift-wrap, shipping, greeting cards, postage, charitable donations and babysitting.
Know when to stop. When you finish shopping—stop! Sometimes it’s hard to resist the “one extra little gift,” however, even small items can add up to be budget-breakers. Three out of every four adults purchase presents for themselves when shopping for friends and family, according to American Express.