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Make a Budget and Stick to It
Share Your Plans With Your Loved Ones
Create Some Holiday Magic of Your Own
Make the Season Merry & Bright
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When you’re a kid, the holidays are magical. Baking cookies, writing a letter to Santa, opening the presents under the tree. There’s so much fun to look forward to.
But once you enter your late teens/early twenties, the vibe shifts a little. You’re becoming one of the adults, the people responsible for making the holidays magical, not just enjoying them.
Don’t get us wrong. The season can still be filled with joy and festivities, but your responsibilities can definitely make things feel a little different. The good news is that with a few simple steps, you can still find the holiday magic even while you’re adulting.
Make a Budget and Stick to It
If money’s super tight, consider making a homemade gift for your loved ones. Something as simple as a heartfelt card or a plate of Christmas cookies can show you’ve thought of them.
Share Your Plans With Your Loved Ones
One of the drawbacks of being an adult is that your responsibilities don’t pause for the holidays. There’s a good chance you’ll still need to work and handle other responsibilities while trying to deck the halls.
To manage expectations with friends and family, do your best to communicate those responsibilities ahead of time. Let them know when — or even if — you can visit and whether there are any commitments you’ll need to plan around. If you’ll be on call during family celebrations, make that clear as well.
Having these conversations can be challenging, but they’re important. They’ll help you build trust with your family and keep unnecessary conflict from happening during what should be the happiest time of the year.
Create Some Holiday Magic of Your Own
When you were a kid, you probably didn’t have to do much to get ready for holiday celebrations. Maybe you set the table, helped mix ingredients for dinner, or washed dishes after the meal, but the grown-ups handled almost everything else.
Now that you’re an adult, your family might expect you to do a little more. Finding out ahead of time can make things go more smoothly.
Ask whoever is hosting the holiday celebration whether they’d like you to help prepare the meal or bring anything like paper towels or drinks. When the festivities are over, offering to clear the table or tidy up the kitchen is always a nice gesture.
Some other ways you can help include:
- Babysitting younger relatives while their parents finish up holiday shopping
- Wrapping gifts for younger siblings or other relatives
- Giving family members rides to and from the airport
However you pitch in, it feels good to know you played a part in making the holiday memories a little more magical for everyone.
Make the Season Merry & Bright
Spending this holiday season on your own for the first time? Here are a few fun, budget-friendly ways to celebrate with your friends — and one to help you get ready for next year.
Host a Friendsgiving (or Friends-mas).
Gather your chosen family for a low-cost potluck. Everyone brings a dish, nobody gets stuck with the whole bill, and you get to start a tradition that’s entirely yours.
Start a signature tradition.
An ugly sweater party, a hot cocoa bar, an annual holiday movie marathon — the options are endless. Taking part in a tradition you started can make the holiday season more enjoyable for years to come.
Do a gift swap.
Suggest a White Elephant or Secret Santa exchange with a spending cap for your friend group. This lets everyone give and receive without the pressure of buying gifts
for the whole crew.
Go out and enjoy the free festivities.
Local tree lightings, holiday markets, light displays, and ice rinks are often free or low-cost, and they give you and your friends a great excuse to get out of the apartment.
Volunteer together.
With friends or coworkers, sign up for a shift at a local food pantry or buy some items for a toy drive. Whatever you choose, giving back tends to make the season feel a little less stressful and a lot more satisfying.
Start a holiday fund.
It may seem far away, but next year’s holiday season will be here before you know it. Setting aside just a few dollars per paycheck can make the gift-giving and get-togethers seem less like a financial scramble.
This material is for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.
