Controlling Your Spending in the Holiday Season

By Sabrina Redifer, Staff Writer • December 17, 2023

When thinking of the holidays, some people may imagine seeing family, having large meals, and decorating your house. A lot may be already making long, detailed lists about what they will buy their friends and family for Christmas. And many will be worried about how they’ll afford all the expenses that come with the holiday season.

It isn’t just presents that rack up people’s credit card bills. For Thanksgiving, they have to buy ingredients to make food, drinks, and maybe even decorations. Thanksgiving turkeys alone may cost $30-$40, but according to the Courier Journal, all the groceries combined may add up to over $100. Even if you aren’t making the brunt of the meal, people attending the Thanksgiving event are expected to bring a dish, bottle of wine, or a gift. And that costs money as well.

Right after Thanksgiving comes Christmas. Christmas comes with all new decorations, dozens of activities and parties you can host, a big Christmas lunch or dinner, and possibly multitudes of presents. You have many people to consider: family, friends, coworkers, teachers, bosses, and more. If you have ten people to buy gifts for, and you spend a reasonable amount of $15 for each, that’s already $150. And that doesn’t even include the gift bags, wrapping paper, or cards. According to CNBC, the average American may spend over $1,500 during the holiday season. But this number can go up to nearly $5,000 for some people.

There are societal pressures to spend money during the holiday season. It’s the season of giving, which means it’s a season of financial struggle for many. Even if you limit how much money you can spend for the holidays, it’s easy to go over your budget. You may see an item that’s just slightly over your budget and buy it anyway, but when this happens time and time again, a month later, you’re looking at a credit card bill that’s too much for you to pay.

One way to limit your spending is to use cash. Set out a certain amount of cash for each event or gift and only use that money. With credit cards, it’s easy to pay now and worry about it later. Using physical cash can help you understand your budgeting limits. If you must use a credit card, try setting limits on it. If you surpass that limit, you’ll receive a notification.

When buying gifts, it’s important to consider that the person receiving them won’t care how much you spend on them. The gift’s true value comes from the thought and love put behind it.

About the Contributors

Sabrina Redifer, Staff Writer

Hello everyone; my name is Sabrina Redifer. I am a senior at QHHS and play varsity golf. This is my second time in Journalism, and again, I’m excited for this opportunity to improve my writing skills and share my opinions and interests. Outside of Journalism, I take AP and honors classes and serve as an officer for CSF, ASU, NHS, and MUN. I volunteer at the AV Medical Center, shadow Kaiser doctors, and I’m also currently pursuing the AP Capstone diploma which includes starting my own research study. I love listening to music, reading, and taking an unhealthy amount of naps. This school year, I plan to finish all my college applications, ace my classes, pass the AP tests, and write engaging articles for our school newspaper.

Judy Lee, Staff Writer

Hello everyone! I’m Judy, a senior at Quartz Hill. I joined journalism during eleventh grade and decided to join again because I enjoyed it last year. I’ve been a part of the Quartz Hill Cheer team for four years. I am so excited and not so patiently waiting for all the events and games. One fact about me: I have played the violin for over eight years. I was the concertmaster of the West Coast Classical Orchestra last year. I am aiming for that position again this year when I audition soon. Playing as first chair last year was fantastic, so I hope to experience it again! The first few months of senior year will be busy because of college applications and other things, but I hope it’s fun and worthwhile. I’m glad to be returning to journalism and writing for The Ubiquity!