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Avoid going overboard and over budget on kids’ holiday gifts

FILE - Stuffed toys are on sale at a Woow Store in the American Dream shopping mall in East Rutherford, N.J., Dec. 4, 2021. It's easy to go overboard on gifts for your kids for the holidays, but the result could be a drained bank account and an overstuffed toy bin come January. Money and child development experts point out that setting a holiday spending budget keeps your finances in check and could help avoid an overwhelmed child. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, file) FILE - Stuffed toys are on sale at a Woow Store in the American Dream shopping mall in East Rutherford, N.J., Dec. 4, 2021. It's easy to go overboard on gifts for your kids for the holidays, but the result could be a drained bank account and an overstuffed toy bin come January. Money and child development experts point out that setting a holiday spending budget keeps your finances in check and could help avoid an overwhelmed child. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, file)

By AMANDA BARROSO / NerdWallet via The Associated Press December 11, 2021 4 min read

It’s hard to resist the holiday messaging to buy gifts – and lots of them – to make the season brighter and more fulfilling.

However, supply chain disruptions may make this year’s shopping stressful, especially for parents looking to buy toys in short supply. Shortages aside, going overboard on gifts for your kids could create budget stress and unintentionally set unrealistic expectations for years to come.

This year’s added pressures could offer parents a chance to rethink their holiday shopping and budget strategies. These tips from budgeting and parenting experts can help you cut through the noise and find what works for your family.

SET YOUR HOLIDAY BUDGET

A budget is crucial to keeping spending in check. If you’re struggling to figure out a realistic holiday budget, review previous years’ spending.