Report after report have surfaced in recent weeks touting the record setting amounts spent globally during Black Friday this year. In a matter of days, even in the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, billions upon billions of dollars were spent.

I love a good deal as much as anybody, but before you are enticed by the plethora of markdowns that bombard your inbox, television, (you name it!), I want to encourage you to pause before adding more unnecessary stress to your life in the way of holiday debt – the kind of debt that has a funny way of sticking around long after the holidays are over.

In order to give more this year – more of ourselves, more time, and more peace – I would like to share three steps to a more joyful Christmas:

1. Set a limit for yourself and your family. This will look different for everyone – and it may even look different from years gone by, but that’s ok! Knowing your boundaries beforehand is a good thing.
2. Set a budget – and not just for gifts! Set a spending limit for everything that you know may spring up at the last minute this time of year: coffee with friends, dinners with family, extra holiday baking! Don’t let extra trips to the store for specialty items derail all of your hard work.
3. Spend with purpose. Spend in a way that will be both meaningful and beneficial to the gift recipient and yourself. Intentionality is the heart of true gift giving – not quantity.

Merry Christmas – I pray this is your most meaningful and joyful Christmas yet.