Profits from sales at this time of year can carry them through losses at other points in the year. Because of these facts, retailers will pull out all the stops when it comes to attracting holiday shoppers. Their goal is to get you in the door and then entice you to spend every dollar possible. Merchandise is carefully packaged to attract the eye. Floor plans are designed to move you through an obstacle course of products that promote impulse shopping before you ever get to what you came to buy.
Emotional stress can also become a problem around holidays.
The stress is produced by schedule demands, unmet expectations, and the remorse of paying too much once the bills begin to arrive. Decide ahead of time who you are buying gifts for, what your travel plans are, how many extra guests you will have at meal times, etc. Save money ahead of time. Use a Christmas club or similar vehicle to save money for the holidays, then spend only what you have saved. Maybe this would be a good year not to spend much and start working toward next year.