How to Beat Christmas Money Anxiety: Setting Healthy Boundaries for Your Wallet
Hi all, it’s El here. I handle all the illustrations, manage socials, and support Kim with partnerships. If I’m being honest, Christmas spending always gets me in a bit of an anxiety muddle. I worry about overspending or feeling like I haven’t done enough - especially when it seems like everyone else is splashing out. The pressure to ‘keep up’, to join every festive outing, buy the best gifts, and create the perfect Christmas can feel overwhelming. It’s hard not to fall into the comparison trap when your budget feels tight. If you’re anything like me, this season might leave you feeling a little anxious about your wallet and mental well-being. I’m not a money expert, but I am gradually becoming my own expert at managing my own money. So, I wanted to share a few things that are helping me! I hope they resonate with you.
My Tip #1: How I Face the Mental Stress of Christmas Spending Anxiety
When I first started managing my Christmas spending (in my brand-new flat), I was scared by how quickly all the little purchases added up. Every time I entered my meter readings, it felt like another weight was being added to the pile - woohoo, fun times! As much as I love being festive, I feel like the Christmas season has this unique way of sneaking up on you, like, “Remember me?” with all that added financial expectation. From worrying about overspending to feeling like a homemade gift might disappoint, it can be a lot.
For me, taking a step back and realising how much this season’s stress was affecting my mental health was a real wake-up call—and not just for Christmas-related stress! I’ve found that simply acknowledging how I felt was the first baby step toward handling it. You know what I mean?
How Clementine helps me:
When I need a quick breather, I love listening to the ‘I am Cool, Calm & Capable’ session on our app. The steady rhythm helps me clear my mind and reminds me that it’s okay to take a moment to create mental space before making a decision—especially when it comes to buying something!
My Tip #2: Being honest about what you can afford
Setting a clear budget was another massive weight lifted for me. One particular year, I often found myself choosing between trying to buy a razor, paying a bill or buying certain foods - it was a real un-picking moment that taught me how important it is to prioritise. So, now I start by defining what I’m comfortable spending over the holidays, factoring in not just gifts but social gatherings and travel too (this has to suit YOU! No one else).
Create a Realistic Budget: Try to take a clear look at your finances and decide what’s truly affordable for you, including all those hidden xmas extras like food and travel. For me, this often means giving myself a bit of flexibility for any unexpected costs, so I don’t panic when something last-minute comes up.
Prioritise Spending: Once I have a stable budget, I make sure to prioritise what feels most meaningful to me, whether it’s spending more on a special gift or cutting back on other areas etc.
Track Your Spending: From my experience, I find it helpful to use a budgeting app called Notion - I often create tables to track expenses in real time (also you can really personalise it and make it fun). I find that keeping tabs on my spending helps me avoid impulse buys or overspending out of guilt as well.
How Clementine helps me:
When I’m planning my month and feeling overwhelmed by those larger costs, I like to listen to ‘Setting an intention for change’ Even though it’s short, it helps me feel more in control, reminding me I can make mindful changes.
My Tip #3: Adding Small, Everyday Uplifters for Your Mental Health
Financial anxiety can take a toll on emotional well-being, so finding ways to ease that never-ending stress is crucial. I’ve found that self-care doesn’t have to mean a big ol’ splashing cash day, it’s whatever makes you feel good. For me, a walk with a sweet coffee, or just a little quiet time can make a big difference.
Plan Ahead for Next Year (if possible): If holiday spending gets too overwhelming, I try to set aside a bit of money each month for the next Christmas. That way, it’s not as daunting all at once.
Reframe Your Mindset: Shifting from a scarcity to an abundance mindset has also helped. I learned that focusing on what I already have, rather than what I’m missing out on, can make a huge difference. I now enjoy taking a step back to see the bigger picture makes the stress feel a little smaller.
How Clementine helps me:
After the xmas season, I often find myself feeling guilty over the money spent on gifts or events. When I need help winding down, I lean on our app’s wind-down sessions to quiet that anxiety. They’re my go-to for helping me sleep better and calm my mind, even when things feel heavy.
Final Thoughts: Embrace Imperfect Self-Care for a Calmer Mind
I’ve found that the Christmas season can bring its own unique pressures, especially when it comes to money. It’s easy to feel like we’re drowning in annoying expectations, but you don’t have to face it alone. Setting those little spending limits and gently communicating with loved ones with ease about what’s realistic for us helps ease the financial strain and protect our mental health.
Are you feeling that Christmas budget stress? Download the Clementine app for more tips to help you stay calm, balanced, and financially mindful this season.
This article was written by El Elliott, the design guy at Clementine.