Five mistakes I’ve made saving for Christmas with my Christmas binder – lessons learned

Saving for Christmas with a binder has been a game changer, but I’ve definitely made some mistakes along the way. Here are five things I’ve learned that might help you avoid some of the hiccups I’ve faced:

1. Smaller Wins Are More Fun for Me

I’ve realized that I like smaller wins more than big, long-term ones. I’ve been stuffing about $100 a month into my Christmas binder. While I love the savings challenges I have, I feel like there’s not enough variety. After doing the same thing for 10 months, it starts to feel a bit monotonous. I wish I had broken it up into smaller, more exciting goals throughout the year.

2. Some Savings Goals Take Longer Than a Year

One thing I didn’t think about when I set up my binder is that some of these savings challenges might take longer than a year to complete. So now I’m at a crossroads—do I cash out at the beginning of November and use what I have saved, or do I keep saving for another year? It’s a decision I didn’t anticipate needing to make, and it’s something to consider if you're setting up long-term savings goals.

3. I Haven’t Revisited My Christmas Budget in Years

This one’s a biggie. I haven’t actually sat down and created a proper Christmas budget in forever. I’ve been using the same spreadsheet since my kids were young, where we did the whole “something you want, something you need, something to wear, something to read” routine. Now that my kids are older, I realize that my savings goal doesn’t really match what I actually need for today’s Christmas. So there’s been a bit of a disconnect between how much I’m saving and what I actually need to spend.

4. Some Stores Aren’t Around Anymore

I also noticed that some of the stores I’ve saved for in my binders, not just my Christmas one, have gone out of business. It made me realize I should focus on saving smaller amounts to support Etsy sellers and other small businesses that are still around. It’s a way to ensure my money goes toward supporting those who are still in the game.

5. My Biggest Regret: I Wish I’d Started Sooner

This one really hits home for me. I can’t tell you how much I wish I’d started saving for Christmas sooner. I used to dread Christmas morning. I wanted to be excited for my kids to open their gifts, but there was always this pit in my stomach knowing that I’d spent money I didn’t really have. January, February, and even March would be spent trying to get back on track financially. I’m only two years into this budgeting world, and this will be my third Christmas with savings ready before the big day. The relief I felt the last two years was incredible, knowing I stayed within budget and didn’t have to stress about money.

Even though I still get a little jealous of people who seem to shop without worrying about their wallet, I remind myself that many of them will face a financial hangover come January. It’s easy to forget that a lot of people fall into anxiety and depression over Christmas bills. So while it’s tempting to want to give extravagant gifts, I’ve learned to find peace in knowing that sticking to my budget is what’s really best for me—and my family—in the long run.

Hopefully, some of these lessons help you with your own Christmas saving journey!