A Christmas Budgeting Guide for Christian College Students

Between gifts to purchase, end-of-year charitable giving, travel, and the costs of attending Christmas events or activities, the Christmas holiday season can take a serious strain on our wallets. Preparedness is vital to managing holiday expenses to avoid overspending and going into debt.

Here are tips for planning a budget, allowing God to provide guidance, and keeping the true spirit of Christmas in mind.

Creating a Christmas Budget

The first thing that comes to mind when putting together your Christmas spending budget is most likely gift-giving. That is an excellent place to start. Make a list of everyone on your gift-giving list. In addition to family members and close friends, be sure to include the teachers, co-workers, and service providers you want to appreciate this year. Add up how much you intend to spend on each person for the gift portion of your budget.

In addition to buying gifts, you'll likely have other expenses this holiday season. You might need to include travel expenses to go home or visit friends and family. This may involve a plane ticket, gas, car rentals, or hotel stays. The holiday season often means attending parties, events, or seasonal performances. Review last year's bank statements and look at your calendar to guess the costs associated with the events that might end up on your calendar this year.

The holiday season is often a time when Christians are inspired to give back as they honor the birth of Jesus Christ and are reminded of his selflessness. Holiday charity can include gifts for a child or a meal for a family in need. You may also want to contribute financially to a favorite organization or cause. Include these contributions and any tithing to your church you plan for at the end of the year in your budget.

Money Saving Measures

"Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." - 2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV

Give with intention and love without overspending and going into debt. If the budget you created feels overwhelming and out of reach, consider looking at cost-saving measures. Some ideas include:

Sales

When you plan your holiday shopping ahead of time, you can take advantage of sales. Make a list of all the items you hope to gift this year and research the best prices. Watch for coupons and sales, particularly on Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Secret Santa Gift Exchange

If you have a large family with many siblings, cousins, and other relatives to purchase gifts, propose organizing a Secret Santa gift exchange, which you can do online or traditionally by drawing names written on little pieces of paper. That way, instead of spending tons of money on a long list of gift recipients, everyone can focus on one nice gift for their Secret Santa. Determine the spending range, how to draw names, and when the exchange will occur.

Handmade Gifts

Giving handmade gifts is a thoughtful gesture rather than an impersonal gift card or store-bought item. Do you have a talent for painting, woodwork, or knitting? Turn your skills into a meaningful gift. Other handmade gift ideas include candles, soap, jewelry, or customized clothing. Who on your list would love easy-to-make soup or cookie ingredient jars, candy, or baked goods?

Gifts of Time

Many people in your life, especially parents and grandparents, may appreciate time with you more than any physical gift. Think about what activities they enjoy or may need help with, such as shoveling the snow or running errands. Coupon books are a fun way to gift time to the people in your life. You can use them to show love and appreciation to those you care about.

Honorary Monetary Gifts

One meaningful way to honor a loved one is by donating to an organization in their name. Consider donating to organizations such as Habitat for Humanity or Dallas Baptist University. These are excellent options for commemorating someone with a monetary gift.

Volunteer Time Instead of Giving Money

Volunteering is a meaningful option if money is tight and you want to make a difference during the holiday season. Charities that host meals, food pantries, or gift drives are often busy this time of year and seeking additional help. Mission Arlington is a great place for DBU students to serve people locally. It can also be a great time to connect with a non-profit organization for a longer-term commitment. Think about what skills or experience you could offer an organization and what types of causes are most important to you. Look for a match on local volunteer websites.

Bring God's Guidance to Your Holiday Budgeting

How might God support you in your financial decision-making this holiday season?

• Use prayer to ask for wisdom to make sound decisions and for guidance on how to spend in meaningful ways. 
• Be grateful for your blessings and ability to give what you can. 
• Seek advice from church leaders or other members. 
• Reflect on whether your spending aligns with your faith and values or if you are tempted to overspend.

By planning ahead, finding ways to stay within your budget, and leaning on God's guidance, your holiday season can be stress-free and full of joy and the true meaning of Christmas.