Everyone travels here and has tickets so today is an easy checkmark.
My son and fiancé will be here most of the week before 12/24, because son’s childhood friend is getting married.
They will go to her parents home on 12/24. I think it is wonderful both families have some time with the young adults. I’ve gotten so mature that I haven’t asked them if they have tickets, what day they are coming, etc.
Please keep posting the tips. I signed up yesterday, but didn’t get an email today. (At least didn’t see it, unless it slipped through in the big pile of spam I deleted!).
But I just got all of D2’s flights straightened out – had to change date, and turns out airline of her return flight by a couple of days, and also book a shuttle for her to and from campus because no one wants to pay for airport parking for 3 weeks over winter break!
So travel plans - check!.
Day 3: Make a budget and start a savings plan - effortless ways not to go broke during the holiday season
https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/holiday-budget-holiday-jumpstart-263727
Fortunately, needing this advice is a thing of the past for me but I know at points in my life earlier on, the tips would have come in handy.
I am surprised to hear that the average American only spent $660 on gifts in 2016 and 2017. That seems low to me - I do know I like to splurge on my kids (3) but even adding in a few other family member gifts - and H and I generally don’t exchange but a small gift or two - $660 seems like a pipe dream! 
@abasket, really huh? I only buy for my two kids, my parents, and two gift grabs. I"ll add S’s fiance this year. Its been a tradition for me to buy my S’s RT airfare home for the holiday, this year $280 and my parents get a “freezer meat package” for $200. I’m already at nearly $500 and I haven’t really started yet lol. I figure my holiday costs average $1200 including the tree, holiday meal(s) and the few people I buy for. I suppose its much cheaper if you have babies or toddlers but even then…
Well, that average American includes people of all ages. My husband and I spend more than $660 but our kids don’t. I’m sure families who are lower income don’t.
^^^^ Good point. I retract my statement.
I’m going to play. This might help me be more organized and less cranky about the holidays.
Maybe. 
Starting saving should actually be done throughout the year, like the old Christmas savings plans so there isn’t the pain in January when the CCard bills arrive.
I only buy gifts for my immediate family. Everyone else lives in another state, and we quit sending gifts years ago. Last year, I only did stockings for my kids (all in college). I’ve gone a bit overboard with the kids in the past and was trying to take the focus from “what am I going to get” to “what am I going to give.” I have to say, it wasn’t as much fun for me!
We buy what they need throughout the year. We recently bought one a new phone and another a new computer and new tires for his car. So, I’m trying to find a balance this year and buy fewer but more meaningful gifts. I’m an amateur genealogist, and I’ve self-published a very simple book for them, but I know it will be received with a smile and an eye roll! 8-| My hope is they’ll appreciate it when they are older!
It’s hard when they don’t really need anything. It was so much easier when they were little!
So far I’ve only spent $3.50 on a box of Samoas for my dad.
“We buy what they need throughout the year.”
We’re the opposite. We typically are very generous on their birthdays and at Christmas. Not much in between. Both are at the stages where they have transitioned to living on their own - not dorms or at home - so they need plenty of stuff. Other than that, they’re always happy for $ for their travel funds.
It probably won’t be on their jumpstart list, but I’m going to try buy a few more things this year from local businesses vs national chains.
I always have a very tough time knowing when I’m done and often find “one more thing” or more.
I always panic because D1’s birthday is 2 weeks after Christmas. So I really need to do all her shopping at the same time, and have to find more than I do for D2.
We have 6 family birthdays between now and Christmas so those were on the list I made on Day 1. For some people it’s challenging to think of 2 items to get them.
I need this. I am guilty of not organizing and spending unevenly. One kid is super easy to buy for and the other two are harder to come up with ideas so I often end up spending more on the easy to buy for kid #3. I also think I should spend less on each of them as they are now all adults. I also have a new DIL and a soon to be Son in law and the third has a more recent SO to think about. My expensive kid has asked us to pay for a horse clinic in December. I have to remind myself that I don’t really need to buy much else for her.
Day 4: Do A Random Act of Kindness
“That’s right: Let’s get the holiday spirit started early! Choose one small act of kindness you can do today, and do it.”
They offer some good suggestions. I’ve got to think what mine will be today. :-?
https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/random-act-of-kindness-ideas-holiday-jumpstart-263729
I downloaded the Santa’s Bag app last night. I was thinking originally that I probably spend at least $1000 at Christmas on gifts. When I did my prelim list of gifts to buy and assigned a prelim budget my total came to $1055 - so I guess I had a pretty good guess! I’m curious to see how well I adapt to the app.