Courtesy Kelly Burch
The author's dogs, ready for the holidays.
- Americans, on average, spend more than $1,000 on holiday expenses.
- I've made an effort to cut back on holiday expenses by not going crazy with gift giving.
- Still, there are certain expenses, like travel and a great Christmas tree, that I will not compromise on.
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The holidays are the most wonderful time of the year - until you take an honest look at your bank account.
This year, Americans are expected to spend more than $900 each on holiday gifts, and those who travel will spend nearly $1,500 more. That can have a huge impact on your financial well-being.
That's why I've taken steps to scale back my holiday spending. My husband and I buy fewer gifts for our children, and instead of buying gifts for extended family we've created a unique holiday tradition that also saves us money.
Still, I'm someone who absolutely adores Christmas. The lights, the songs, and the traditions bring me so much joy. Because of that, there are certain Christmas traditions that I gladly spend money on year after year.
Here are the holiday expenses that I won't compromise on: