5 Ways Early Holiday Shopping Can Eliminate Anxiety Later

The winter holidays are swiftly approaching, which means so is the holiday shopping rush. The best gift you can give yourself this season is the gift of peace. Just think of all the holiday hassle you’ll avoid. While the world is out in chaos, you can be at home sipping hot chocolate by the fireplace, wrapping gifts as the holiday music plays in the background.

Her Agenda has gathered five ways that will help you eliminate anxiety by early holiday shopping. This is a must read if you truly want to experience holiday joy.

Imagine setting out a list of things you intend to buy, researching the best prices, and sticking to that set price. No, there won’t be any Black Friday deals, people waiting in tents for hours in line before you, or Cyber Monday hacks, but you’ll get what you set out to buy.

According to Ramsey Solutions, these are the best budgeting suggestions:

• Starting in January and saving a little each month is ideal, but it’s not too late to begin now and still make a difference.
• Using cash instead of cards can help you spend less and stay on budget while Christmas shopping.
• Cutting expenses like cable, unused subscriptions and gym memberships can free up hundreds of dollars in just a few months.
• Planning early, hunting for deals, and even going DIY with gifts or potluck parties can help you stay festive without overspending.
• Being intentional — like setting aside “under budget” money or opening a separate Christmas savings account—helps ensure those savings don’t get accidentally spent.

With the extra time to plan, you’ll be able to pick out specific gifts for everyone on your list. Those last minute gifts can sometimes be dead giveaways that they were rushed and unplanned. Make the people in your life feel important and thought about by putting some thought behind their holiday gifts.

Intentional gifts are often less expensive and more heartwarming and meaningful. Paying attention to what a person’s interests are, like their favorite food, music, color etc. can be the difference in picking a coat over a hoodie. In fact, here are 30 Thoughtful Holiday Gift Ideas to get your wheels turning.

If you prefer shopping in bed, shopping ahead should be a breeze. Browsing the web for gifts can be a stress-free experience, especially if you’re doing all of your shopping ahead of time. Another perk is knowing that holiday shipping delays won’t affect any of your gifts.

Enjoy your peace of mind knowing that your gifts will be delivered ahead of time, and the only problem you’ll have is deciding where to hide the gifts. But for everyone else, here’s USPS cutoff dates if you’d like to receive your gifts by Christmas day.

According to the American Psychological Association, financial concerns were most often cited as a cause of stress during the holidays, with 58% of U.S. adults saying that spending too much or not having enough money to spend causes them stress.

Being proactive will relieve stress and anxiety as you prepare for the holidays. Another realistic approach is understanding that you have to live within your means and stick to your budget. Go into the holidays with a positive mindset and coping mechanisms that will aid in managing the demands for the months. Remember, the holidays are temporary and you can get through this.

News Nation reports that tariffs could make holiday shopping more expensive this year, pushing up prices on imported goods from clothing to electronics. With the likes of more money spent, last minute shopping shouldn’t be on anyone’s list.

However, if you’re budgeting and need a little assistance, pay-here providers like Klarna, Affirm, Paypal Later are available to lessen the load.

Happy early shopping!