The air is crisp, the leaves are changing, and pumpkin spice is everywhere. It’s fall! Which means that the holiday season is just around the corner.
The financial stress that so often shows up around this time may be amplified this year because everything feels expensive right now. Groceries, gifts, travel, and even small holiday extras may put more strain on your budget than in previous years. But higher prices don’t mean you have to sacrifice your celebrations.
Meaningful traditions don’t have to be costly. It’s ok to choose what works for you, scale back, or create entirely new traditions that fit your budget and values this season!
Why Traditions Matter (Beyond the Price Tag)
Often, when thinking about holiday traditions it’s easy to focus on the money spent. But the truth is, holiday traditions are less about money and more about time. Traditions create memories, connection, and belonging – not just “stuff”.
For your children, friends, and family, it’s the moments that matter in the long run. People will remember the laughter, togetherness, and rituals for years to come, not the cost of gifts or decorations. So, instead of focusing on what feels financially heavy, shift the focus to what feels emotionally rich. Find the holiday magic in the moments, not in the price tag.
Naming Your Values First
To help relieve financial stress this holiday season, it’s important to keep your values front and center. Ask yourself, what matters most this holiday season? Make a list, and your answers may surprise you.
Often, people find that the things they value most around the holidays have nothing to do with money. Instead, things like the list below are the most important:
- Family Time
- Rest
- Giving back to your community
- Faith
- Creativity
Letting your values lead can reduce pressure to overspend. To keep them in focus, write down your holiday values list and keep it somewhere you can see it. Then, if you feel pressured to overspend, come back to your values.
You can also find inexpensive or free ways to incorporate your values into holiday traditions. For example, if togetherness is a core value, you could do a holiday movie night or tell a holiday story as a family. These things can feel more meaningful than expensive outings.
Creating New, Budget-Friendly Traditions
With prices rising this year, it could be the perfect time to start some new, budget-friendly traditions. Remember, these new traditions don’t have to replace old ones. Instead, they can be small add-ons or changes that reflect your current financial situation.
Here are some low-cost activities to help you stay on budget while still enjoying the holiday magic!
- Cook or bake a family recipe together to enjoy
- Take a walk or a drive to see holiday lights
- Use recycled materials to craft decorations with your kids
- Start a “gratitude jar” with things your family is thankful for or “highlights of the year”
- Instead of buying gifts, swap skills like music, cooking, or crafting
Managing the Pressure of “Big Spending” Culture
It can be a challenge to pull back and focus on more simple things around the holidays. Especially when social media, advertisements, and family expectations are pushing you in another direction.
Remember, it’s ok to say “no” when the costs don’t align with your reality. While “no” is a full sentence, it can be helpful to have some ideas of what you can say lined up when the pressure to spend comes up. Here are a few phrases you could use with family or friends to stick to your budget and still include them in your holiday plans:
“We decided to keep things simple this year so we can really focus on time together.”
“We’re simplifying our holiday plans this year to make space for what matters most to us.”
“We’re trying to do the holidays a little differently this year—more connection, less pressure. I hope that feels good to you too.”
“We realized the holidays were starting to feel more stressful than special, so we’re scaling back a bit to bring the joy back.”
You can keep your boundaries simple and inviting, leaving space for others to join you where you are. Remember, it’s ok to do less this holiday season if it helps reduce your stress. Sometimes, the magic can be found in intentionally simplifying things.
Community and Collective Traditions
As you think about your friends and family you share the holidays with, keep in mind that you are likely not the only one feeling financial pressure this year. This gives you space to shift some of your collective traditions to be more budget friendly for everyone, while still enjoying quality time.
Instead of putting so much pressure on yourself, come together and weave new, shared rituals into the holiday season.
Here are some simple swaps you could make to help build connection while being budget conscious.
- A fancy meal one person or family cooks → A potluck meal where everyone contributes something
- Buying a gift for each person at a gathering → A “white elephant” gift swap or drawing names and each buying one gift
- Buying elaborate decorations → DIY your décor with paper crafts, pinecones, or items from nature walks.
- Buying new matching pajamas each year → Reuse last year’s set or have a “pajama remix night” where everyone decorates an old pair.
- Big-ticket holiday outings (shows, events, etc.) → Find free community events like tree lightings, caroling, or local concerts.
Final Thoughts
The holiday season is important. It’s a time of connection. But feeling limited by your finances can make it hard. Choosing meaning over money isn’t about settling. Instead, it’s about creating joy that fits your life right now.
It doesn’t mean that your traditions have to be changed forever. But you may find some you love and want to hold onto going forward. It’s important to look for traditions that truly resonate with you, no matter how small. Look for the joy in the season and remember what matters most to you.
