A mother and daughter are hanging ornaments on a tree
Up to 25 percent of people experience some sort of holiday anxiety or depression. Reducing stress over Christmas requires some planning ahead, staying flexible, depending on your loved ones, and more.

Stick to a Budget

Photo Credit: Amenohi / iStockPhoto.com

Stick to a Budget

You don’t need financial concerns on top of all your other concerns, so figure out a reasonable budget early on and stick to it no matter what. It’s easy to fall into a pattern of dishing out a bit more here and there, but that will add up quickly.

If you’re on a tight budget, keep gifts to a minimum, suggest potluck parties, and don’t feel too bad about bowing out of expensive restaurant gatherings. And whatever you have earmarked for the holidays, don’t rely on plastic — the more often you can use cash for your purchases, the easier it will be to keep tabs on how much you’re spending.

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