It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Raise your hand if you sang that as you read it? Guilty as charged! Whether you are in the spirit yet or not, the holiday season is officially upon us and you might be wondering which is more “ugh” feeling - your bank account or the shorter, darker, colder days.

The holiday season is such a joyful time but it can certainly cause a lot of unnecessary stress. From preparing for out-of-town guests to navigating the season when you’re single, holiday stress can seem to come from every angle. A big stress for a lot of people this time of year is the financial side of things. Thankfully there are some simple, realistic ways to manage holiday stress on the financial side without missing out on the yuletide spirit.

Today we’re diving into 8 ways that you can save money this holiday season without missing out. Sound too good to be true? Keep scrolling to see all of the [realistic] tips!

SET A BUDGET AND STICK TO IT

The biggest way to save money during the holidays is to not only create a budget, but to stick to that budget. It sounds simple but it can be easy to go overboard with gifts, parties, decorations and beyond. It’s important to be realistic with your holiday budget. Not only will your bank account thank you, but you’ll be starting 2020 off without added stress from overspending during the holidays. Don’t be afraid to let your friends and/or family know that you’re sticking to a budget this year. You can even challenge them to join you for some extra motivation!

RENT OR BORROW OUTFITS

Your social calendar during the holiday season can fill up pretty quickly and it can leave you with pressure to have a new outfit for each occasion. When it comes down to it, most people will probably not notice if you re-wear something. Easily change up an outfit by using different shoes, jewelry or accessories you have on hand. Still feeling like you want something new for all of those holiday parties? Ask friends if you can borrow something or look into renting an outfit, accessories or faux fur jacket from Rent the Runway. If you go the renting route, be sure to keep your budget in mind.

HOST A WHITE ELEPHANT GIFT EXCHANGE

It can be tempting to want to buy each of your girlfriends a fun, personalized gift but the reality of how quickly those gifts add up can be overwhelming. Instead, host a white elephant gift exchange with your gal pals. Set a budget that everyone has to stick to that is realistic; you don’t want it too low where gifts are worthless but you also don’t want it to be expensive. You can even come up with a theme for the gifts like bottles of wine [who doesn’t love getting wine any time of the year?!], cozy pajamas or gift cards.

GIFT NON-MONETARY THINGS

It is easy to get wrapped up into the consumerism side of the holidays. Maybe that just isn’t your style, you’re wanting to focus on your budget, or you want to give something a little more personal. Whatever the reason, non-monetary gifts are sometimes more meaningful for people to receive. You can offer services to babysit for a night or weekend so your brother/sister can get away. You can offer to cook a gourmet meal for your parents or take care of their snow removal for winter. Think about the little things that would mean so much to those people close to you. Money doesn’t always buy happiness!

HOST A POTLUCK WITH FRIENDS

If you love hosting and throwing parties, the holiday season was made for you! Invite all of your friends over for a fun and festive night in. You can make it fancy and have everyone get dressed up, or keep it fun and casual and do ugly Christmas sweaters or Christmas pajamas. Instead of doing all of the food and drinks yourself which can be super pricey [and overwhelming], have everyone bring something to share whether it’s an appetizer, dessert or drink. As the host you can focus on making your place festive and the basics like ice, plates, cups, napkins and silverware [hello, Target $1 section].

SHOP EARLY [AKA NOW] FOR FLIGHTS AND/OR HOTELS

Travel during the holiday season can be so expensive if you don’t start planning ahead of time. Whether it is flights or a hotel, the earlier you can start booking, the more money you’ll save. Be on the lookout for special holiday discounts that airlines may offer. I lucked out and got the last seat on my flight home for Christmas…and I booked 3 weeks ago!! So many people travel during the holiday season which is what ups prices and limits availability. If you’re planning to travel this holiday season, you’ll want to get things booked now!

CHECK OUT FREE LOCAL EVENTS

One easy way to save money during the holiday season is to check out the free events going on in your area. The options are endless and can range from walking through a festive Christmas village, driving around neighborhoods looking at light displays, making hot chocolate and walking around a local park, or having a holiday movie marathon cuddle up at home on the couch. There are endless things to do this time of year that don’t cost money and are just as fun and festive!

HOST A GIRLS NIGHT IN

With so much activity during the holiday season, a cozy and fun night in with your girlfriends might be just what the doctor ordered! Keep things chill and have everyone wear their comfiest and coziest lounge wear, or even fun holiday pajamas. Relax with a marathon of holiday movies and a glass of wine or cozy cup of hot chocolate. Keep snacks simple, almost like you were at the movies [ie: popcorn, M&M’s, pretzels, etc]. You could even have everyone bring one item for a charcuterie board - how fun!

There you have it, 8 ways to save money this holiday season without missing out. Do you have any tips for saving money during the holidays? If so, share below in the comments!