The Christmas season can be one of the most stressful times of year. In addition to making travel plans, preparing your home for holiday hosting responsibilities, and preparing food for any number of guests, the prospect of Christmas shopping for all the special people in your life can be a daunting task. According to studies, the average American will spend around $980 on Christmas shopping this year. That only includes gifts, and does not include travel, hotel stays, food, or any of the other costs associated with Christmas.
Today’s study isn’t going to be an indictment on the commercialization of Christmas. It’s certainly no secret that the holiday season is a busy time of year for retailers, and that is largely because giving and receiving gifts is a part of the holiday tradition for most individuals. There’s nothing wrong with buying gifts for people, and Jesus is not frustrated by the fact that the observance of His birth involves us buying presents for people we love.
However, the Bible talks a lot about money. In fact, roughly 1/3 of the parables of Christ include finances or possessions. There is certainly no denying that Christ spent a lot of time talking about how God wants His people to handle their finances. In addition to the parables of Christ, the Old Testament and many of the New Testament Epistles talk about possessions, money, and budgeting.
Since we know that God understands our financial stresses, it’s a good idea to look to Scripture now that we’re quickly approaching one the most financially draining holidays of the year. When we apply Godly principles to our financial strategies, not only at Christmas but all year long, we can better understand how God can bless our finances when we’re faithful to Him with them.
Avoiding the Debt Trap
Proverbs 22:26-27 (NIV)
Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts; if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you.
More than 40% of Americans report that they will go into some level of debt in order to Christmas shop in 2022. In most cases, this willingness to put ourselves in debt comes from a good place. We want to buy good gifts for the people that we love, and the idea of not being able to afford something makes us feel like we’re cheating them out of something. However, that’s not the case.
The Bible contains multiple verses about spending only what you can afford to spend. When we go into debt, not only are we living above our means, but we’re also putting ourselves in a position to experience even more financial stress than is usual.
This Christmas, commit to only spending what you can afford to spend. If that means that you have to make some cutbacks on gifts for people, they will likely understand. After all, the giving of gifts isn’t about the price on the receipt, it is about the heart of the giver.
Start Budgeting
Luke 14:28 (NIV)
“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?”
While it may be too late to put together a Christmas budget for 2022, there is certainly nothing wrong with looking forward to next year. December 25 only comes once a year. Christmas doesn’t really “sneak up on us,” even if we feel like there is little to no time from one Christmas to the next. While we often say things like, “I can’t believe it’s almost Christmas already,” the fact remains that we know exactly when Christmas of 2023 is going to take place.
With that in mind, start working on a Christmas budget for next year even though you’re still trying to get through Christmas this year. Based on the study that we briefly discussed, the average person spends around $980 on Christmas gifts. While that number may seem large, that’s partially because we try to come up with that $980 in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
When Christmas Day arrives, you will have 52 weeks standing between you and next Christmas. That means that you can go ahead and start tucking some money back. If you set aside as little as $19 per week between now and Christmas 2023, you will have more than $1,000 in your Christmas account.
If that seems like a tall task, consider another study. The average US citizen spends roughly 10% of their annual income on fast food. Simply skipping out on the drive through line once or twice a week can help you avoid the financial stress associated with Christmas shopping next year.
Focus on Lasting Value
Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.
If you’ve ever Christmas shopped for children, you’re probably already aware of how quickly toys end up in the back of the closet. The newest trend that floods the commercials that our children see leave them wanting the newest toy on the market. Unfortunately, that new toy is often forgotten about within a few months.
If you were Christmas shopping in the mid-90s, you may remember the “Tickle Me Elmo” craze. Suddenly, the fluffy red friend from Sesame Street was everywhere. People waited in line for days to get one of these coveted toys. There were multiple reports of people getting into fistfights in stores because they wanted the last Tickle Me Elmo off the shelf so badly. Today, Tickle Me Elmos are worth around $30 on eBay.
This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t try to get your child the gift that he or she wants. However, it’s never Godly to get into a fight with someone in the middle of a department store. The idea of focusing on the eternal is not something that only applies at Christmas, but it can help you alleviate some stress that you may be facing.
Instead of trying to get everything on everyone’s wish-list, make sure that your family understands the true meaning for the season.
Random Acts of Kindness
James 2:16-17 (NIV)
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
Finally, you can alleviate your own financial stress by focusing a portion of your resources on helping others. This is a great idea, especially if you have children. Your children are never too young to learn about the power of giving to others.
Do you remember those Christmas gifts that are in the back of the closet? There are children in your community who would love to have those. Spend some time talking to your children about giving of themselves and when they become adults, it will become a central part of who they are.
The holiday season is about our faith in Christ. The celebration of Christmas is all about the realization of our faith, but without actions, our faith is dead. Instead of focusing on how much you can spend, talk to your family about taking some of your resources and putting them into blessing others.
A Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, help me to manage my finances, not only during the Christmas season, but all year long, the way that You would have me to. Help me to recognize opportunities to bless others. Most of all, help me to maintain my focus on the true reason for the season. In Jesus’ name