It’s easy to overspend and go over budget during the holiday season! I’ve certainly done it plenty of times!! I know it’s hard not to get caught up in the gift-buying season with all of the advertisements and “special” deals that we’re bombarded with every day. And none of us want to be viewed as a “scrooge.” With some planning and research, there are so many ideas for creating a wonderfully memorable holiday season without stressing about spending too much. 

Here is a recap of some of our previous blog posts that share gift ideas for some people that may be hard to buy for as well as tips on how to stay on budget and creative ideas for decorating. 

8 Ways to Stay on Budget During the Holidays

Read about some tips to help you stay on budget, including setting spending limits, only shopping for the kids, using cash-back websites, and more! Even if you only want to incorporate a few of these tips, they are sure to help you stay on track this holiday season.

Use These Affordable Holid...

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays with its focus on family and gratitude, and it’s the perfect opportunity to feel grateful for everything that I have, despite whatever bumps in the road tried to take me off course throughout the year. But Thanksgiving can also be a difficult time for people for a variety of reasons so I wanted to share how developing a gratitude mindset can help you take a different approach to not only Thanksgiving but each new day. 

So what is a gratitude mindset? 

Gratitude is defined as the quality of being thankful and exhibiting a readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. Simply put, a gratitude mindset is the ability to focus on the positive things in life rather than the negative - you know the glass is half full kind of thinking. You see opportunities instead of obstacles. When you can focus on gratitude, the number of things you appreciate continue to grow. 

Why should you strive for a gratitude mindset?

Engaging in a gratitude...

The holidays can be joyful, but they can also stir up financial stress, especially for women who often balance family expectations, caregiving responsibilities, and the desire to make the season meaningful. This is exactly why holiday budgeting for women deserves its own conversation.

If this year looks different for you emotionally, financially, or simply in how you want to celebrate, you’re not alone. The holidays can be one of the easiest times to overspend, drift away from your budget, or feel pressure to give in ways that do not align with your current financial goals.

The good news is that you can create a holiday season that feels financially grounded and emotionally rich. With a mindful approach to holiday budgeting for women, you can stay on budget without sacrificing the heart of the season. Here’s how to do it.

1. Set Holiday Spending Limits That Align with Your Values

Setting a clear spending limit is the simplest way to protect your peace and your finances. Decide in...

There are so many options for affordable gift ideas for Valentine's Day ideas while still making your celebration special. Valentine's Day is a time to show others that you care by giving thoughtful gifts from the heart.

Many commercially-available gift ideas can be expensive, putting people off from being able to buy the gifts they want for this special occasion. Fortunately, there are a variety of ways to save money on meaningful Valentine’s Day gifts. 

Here are five tips to keep Valentine's Day gifts within your budget:

Spend quality time together.

Most things that you and your loved one can do on  Valentine's Day can be relatively inexpensive. Rather than going out for a night on the town, consider a quiet homemade dinner at home and a movie. Sometimes low-key Valentine's Day celebrations are the most romantic and memorable. Listen to music, talk to one another about your dreams, and just enjoy each other’s company. Good conversation and company are free.

Small, thoughtful ite...

I always found it hard to buy gifts for my grandfather. The fact is that he never wanted a lot of stuff and everything he did really want, he had. Still, I always tried to find him thoughtful gifts over the years - a card that would make him laugh, a favorite candy, etc. My grandfather passed away a year ago but we were just reminiscing about him recently. He was excellent on the grill so I've included some grilling gifts in his honor. He also loved to fish when he was younger so I've included some fishing-related items as well. May he rest in peace and may you treasure the time you have with your grandfather.

Related post: 25+ Gifts Under $25 for Grandma

Related post: Affordable Hostess Gift Ideas

15 Affordable Gift Ideas for Grandpas

Grandfathers can be hard to shop for. Here's a list of gifts that are all available on Amazon and are all under $25 so you can easily cross Grandpa off your list. Simply click on the picture and you'll be taken right to the product on Amazon.

Golf...

Even though the turkey is the main dish for Thanksgiving, many people enjoy dinner just for the sides and desserts. When you need something sweet for after the big meal, try one of these cheap and easy last minute Thanksgiving desserts! 

Are you hosting Thanksgiving this year? Don’t miss these tips for hosting it on a budget! 

Pumpkin Cheesecake 

While you can go with a traditional pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving, you might want to switch it up a bit this year! Try a super easy pumpkin cheesecake! This recipe is much easier than a finicky pumpkin pie recipe and gives you a flavorful and rich dessert. If you’re hoping to stretch your ingredients, this cheesecake is it! 

Cherry Dump Cake 

You can’t get much easier than a dump cake and with only a few ingredients, this cherry dump cake is a crowd-pleaser and so easy to put together. While the cake is easy enough to make while you’re whipping up your turkey and sides, it tastes even better if you make it the night before! 

Apple Crumble...

If you’ve got a big family or a huge group of friends, the cost to entertain all of them over the holidays can really add up. These affordable holiday entertaining tips to save you money will make it easier to host quality time with your loved ones with less of a drain on your Christmas cash! 

Big-Batch Drinks 

Whether you’re making your signature cocktails or going for a more family-friendly hot chocolate option, making the drinks in a big batch will help you save some money while serving your guests! Punch, mixed drinks, and gourmet hot chocolate all taste delicious when you make them in large quantities and your guests will appreciate being able to get what they want when they want! Since you’re saving more money by making the drinks in bulk, you may even be able to afford to have different options for your guests! 

One-Bite Desserts Are Delish

Who even finishes a giant piece of cheesecake anyway? Bite-sized desserts are so much easier to handle, and your guests will love how sw...

From the tree to the trendy new Christmas decor and even the extra electricity you spend on lights, your Christmas decor budget can be almost as much as the money you spend on presents. Instead of blowing it all, making your home look festive, use these tips for decorating for Christmas on a dime! 

Dollar Store Decor

Decorating for Christmas on a dime is easier when you make use of all the beautiful decorations you can find at the dollar store. From ornaments to figurines and even Christmas wreaths, you can find almost anything you need at discounted prices. 

Consider decorations that would typically cost much more than a dollar, such as window lights, garland, and cookie plates. You’ll also be able to find cute Christmas pictures and wall hangings to use as décor and potentially as gifts as well.

Repurpose Old Decorations 

We all have a box of decorations that really doesn’t fit the current theme. If that’s the case for you, make this year the year that you stop letting them go t...

If you believe showing up to a friend or family member’s house empty-handed is impolite, you likely understand how difficult it can be to continue buying hostess gifts throughout the season. These gifts, though, don’t have to be elaborate. Use these affordable hostess gift ideas to give your hostess something special that doesn't blow your holiday budget.

Related post: Budgeting for the Holiday Season 

Candles 

Many people enjoy candles, and they’re a surprisingly inexpensive gift option. Choose a candle that’s within your budget and wrap it up nicely before giving it to your hostess. Some premium candle stores offer huge sales throughout the year on their candles, and these are prime opportunities to stock up at great prices. When you do so, you’ll always have something to give to your hostess, even if it’s a last-minute invite.

Gift Baskets

While you might not think you can afford a premade gift basket because they’re so expensive, you can always create your own! Gathering suppl...

While many people consider the priciest holiday of the season to be Christmas, Thanksgiving can get really expensive, as well. Even though turkey and pumpkin pies can run up your holiday spending bills, there are a few things you can do to host Thanksgiving on a budget.

Related post: Budgeting for the Holiday Season

9 Tips to Host Thanksgiving on a Budget

Make It a Potluck 

Having a potluck to keep your Thanksgiving on a budget is a win-win. Your critical cousins won’t have a chance to compare their sweet potato recipe to yours if they bring their own, and you’ll save some money by not needing to provide everyone’s Thanksgiving favorites. A great way to arrange a Thanksgiving potluck is to simply by assigning each person something to bring. 

For example, you could mention to grandma that the whole family adores her deviled eggs and ask her to bring them. If your brother-in-law can’t live without that green bean casserole, then he’ll be happy to bring it to share, and you won’t be ...