The holiday season is full of reminders about what we could buy, where we could go, and how we could make the season extra special. From gift guides and holiday advertisements to pictures of elaborate celebrations on social media, it can sometimes feel like everyone else has it all figured out.
Have you ever found yourself trying to keep up with the Joneses? Maybe you’ve felt pressure to buy a gift because others are exchanging presents, attend another gathering because you don’t want to miss out, or spend more than you planned to make the holidays feel special. Without realizing it, we can start comparing your holidays to everyone else’s and lose sight of what makes the season special for our own families.
But what makes a holiday meaningful isn’t how much we spend or how our celebrations compare to anyone else’s. It’s the people we share it with, the traditions we enjoy, and the memories we create together.
Come Back to Your Family Vision
At BCS, we have families build a Family Vision™, a picture of the life they want to create based on aligned values and the goals they’re working toward. The holidays are a great opportunity to revisit that vision and ask whether our plans reflect what we truly value.
Maybe your family looks forward to a special holiday meal, exchanging meaningful gifts, or visiting loved ones. Maybe this year, you want to keep things simpler, spend more time together, or put extra money toward a financial goal. All of these choices can be meaningful when they reflect your family’s priorities.
Our four pillars: Food, Financial Education, Freedom and Legacy, remind us that financial stability is about more than the dollars in our budget. It’s also about having the confidence to make choices that work for our families and the opportunity to build a future that reflects what matters to us. When we let go of the pressure to keep up with others, we make more room for those choices.
Meaningful Doesn’t Have to Mean More
One way to ease holiday stress is to decide what matters most before the season gets busy. A simple spending plan can help you enjoy the things that are important to your family without putting other financial priorities on hold.
Here are a few ideas to get started:
Focus on what matters most. Talk with your family about the traditions and activities you look forward to each year. Choose the ones that bring you joy, and give yourself permission to let go of the things that feel more like obligations.
Find new ways to give. Homemade treats, handwritten cards, shared meals, or an afternoon spent together can be just as meaningful as a store-bought gift. Generosity can take many forms, and it doesn’t have to stretch your budget.
Make a plan for spending. Decide what you can comfortably spend on gifts, food, travel, and activities. Consider drawing names, setting spending limits, or planning a potluck. Having a plan can make it easier to enjoy the season without worrying about what you’re spending.
Celebrate your own progress. Maybe you’ve been building savings, paying down debt, or working toward another financial goal. Those steps matter, even when they aren’t as visible as the gifts under the tree. Give yourself credit for the progress you’re making.
The choices we make during the holidays can also shape the lessons we pass along to our children and loved ones. When we show that we can enjoy the season without spending beyond our means, we demonstrate that our values matter more than appearances. Over time, those lessons can become part of the traditions and habits our families carry forward.
A Little Family Vision Check-In
Take a few minutes with your family to talk about what you want this holiday season to look like. There are no right or wrong answers; this is simply a chance to focus on what matters most to you.
One tradition we want to make time for is…
One thing we can let go of this year is…
One way we can show generosity without spending a lot of money is…
One financial goal we want to keep working toward is…
One value we want to pass on to the next generation is…
Keep your answers somewhere you can revisit when the season gets busy. They can help bring you back to your priorities when outside expectations start to creep in.
As the holidays approach, remember that you don’t have to do what everyone else is doing to create a season your family will cherish. You can choose traditions that fit your budget, make time for the people you love, and continue working toward the future you envision.
You don’t have to keep up with the Joneses when you’re building a life that reflects your own Family Vision. Sometimes, the most meaningful holiday gift is the confidence to make choices that feel right for your family—not someone else’s.
Wishing you and your family a joyful holiday season!
Gratefully,
Your BCS Financial Literacy Team
Dino, Tina, Katie, Matias, Beka, Olga, and Andy
Your Debt-Free Holiday Challenge!
Your Debt-Free Holiday Challenge!
Choose a few ideas to try this holiday season! Check off the ones that work for your family, add your own ideas, and use the options below to make a plan.
1. Plan Your Spending
Set a holiday budget for gifts, food, decorations, and activities.
Spread expenses across October through January.
Draw names or set spending limits for gift exchanges.
Try the four-gift approach: something you want, something you need, something to wear, and something to read.
Use unused gift cards or sell items you no longer need to help cover planned expenses.
Skip an event or expense that doesn’t fit your priorities.
Our holiday spending limit: $____________
2. Give Creatively
Make homemade gifts, such as cocoa kits, baked treats, or handmade cards.
Write a heartfelt letter to someone special.
Give the gift of time with babysitting, helping with a project, or reading together.
Volunteer or help a neighbor.
Create an advent calendar filled with activities instead of gifts.
One thoughtful gift we can make or give is:
3. Make Memories Together
Visit a holiday light display.
Plan a family game, movie, or baking night.
Share a potluck meal with friends or family.
Plan a day trip or shared experience instead of exchanging gifts.
Let the kids help plan a holiday activity.
Start a new tradition based on something your family enjoys.
One activity we want to do together is:
4. Make a Plan That Works for You
Sometimes, making a plan means setting boundaries around spending or expectations. If you need to, try saying:
“We’re keeping gifts simple this year.”
“We’re focusing on some financial goals, so we’re changing how we celebrate.”
“We’d love to spend time together instead of exchanging gifts.”
Your turn! What is another creative way your family can celebrate the holidays while staying on budget?
