Managing Holiday Expenses: Creating a Meaningful Holiday to Remember - Part 5

Carol Ebert, MSN, RN · Apr 7, 2023

In addition to the obvious expense of gift giving, there are many hidden costs to the holidays. This list will help bring them to your attention.

1. Put a check by your customary holiday expenses.

__ Buying gifts

__ Craft supplies

__ Gift-wrapping expenses

__ Mailing gifts

__ Higher phone bills

__ Extra dry cleaning

__ Paying for services such as carpet cleaning, window cleaning, general housecleaning

__ Higher food bills

__ Travel expenses (car expenses, airplane tickets, hotels, pet boarding, etc.)

__ Loss of paid work hours

__ Extra linen, bedding, etc. for company

__ Higher entertainment costs (videos, theater tickets, etc.)

__ Decorations for the tree and house

__ Tree and other greenery

__ Candles

__ More convenience meals during the preholiday rush

__ Greeting cards

__ Postage stamps

__ Alcoholic beverages

__ Catering

__ Flowers, centerpieces

__ New holiday clothes

__ Childcare

__ Holiday tipping

__ Donations to charities

__ Other

2. Estimate how much you or your family spent on all of the above expenses last year. $_____

3. Do you ordinarily stick to a holiday budget? __ yes __ no

4. If you have a partner, is there clear communication about holiday spending?

__ yes __ no

5. Who makes most of the holiday purchases?

How helpful was this list for you?

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