“You need to set financial expectations and research items in advance to avoid overspending with spontaneous shopping,” said Chelsea Hudson, the credit card expert at TopCashback, an online cashback and rebates site. “Make a list of friends and family members you plan to buy gifts for and decide on a budget for each person.”
You might want to let the list sit for a few days, in case you forgot someone. Make another list of any décor items, wrapping paper, ribbon, tape, etc. you need, and decide how much you intend to spend on these products.
Now you’ve developed your shopping budget. To ensure you have a smooth holiday shopping experience, Hudson says, it’s important to set financial expectations and research items in advance.