Dear Jacquelyn,

The holiday season is upon us and I’m starting to plan my holiday gift-giving. What is the most important thing to consider this holiday to ensure gift-giving doesn’t exceed my budget?

Dear Reader,

It’s important to remember that holiday spending may need to be tighter this year for most people.

It’s fine to refrain from buying elaborate gifts for everyone. People will absolutely understand.

Establish your gift-giving holiday budget. Come up with a firm number for spending and stick to it. Once you have a budget, you’ll have a better idea how much you can spend on gifts.

When your budget is complete, determine who you can give presents to.

Prioritize your close relationships first. This avoids an overwhelming gift-giving list.

For example, you could give presents only to immediate family members instead of your extended family or decide that only the children get presents this year.

Start shopping early. Shopping early can help you stick to your budget by allowing you to take advantage of sales and discounts that might be available.

This will give you more options for finding the perfect gift in your price range. Shopping early also allows more time for comparison shopping so you can make sure you are getting the best deal possible.

Another way to save money on gifts is to go the DIY (Do It Yourself) route. Homemade gifts don’t have to cost a lot but still send people the message you were thinking of them.

Consider giving food as a gift. Baked goods and candy are classic food gifts for the holidays that are pretty inexpensive. The options for DIY gifts are endless.

You can stick to your budget this holiday season and still find meaningful gifts for everyone on your list. With some planning and creativity, gift giving doesn’t have to break the bank.

Respectfully yours,

Jacquelyn

Have a question? Email: jacquelyn@ptd.net. Jacquelyn Youst is owner of the Pennsylvania Academy of Protocol, specializing in etiquette training.

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