How to Have a Christ-Centered Christmas Without Overspending with Crystal Paine

Dec 12, 2025

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Christmas is meant to be a season of joy—but for many of us, it becomes a whirlwind of overspending, overcommitting, and feeling overwhelmed. The good news? It doesn’t have to be that way. With a bit of planning and the right perspective, you can slow down, simplify, and savor what truly matters.

Today, Crystal Payne—creator of MoneySavingMom.com—shared practical ways to simplify Christmas while keeping your heart centered on Christ. Here’s a look at her best advice for making this season more peaceful, meaningful, and budget-friendly.

Rediscover the Meaning of Christmas

Before diving into logistics or budgeting, Crystal encourages families to anchor the season in what matters most.

1. Practice Daily Advent Reflections

Her family uses Ann Voskamp’s Advent book, complete with ornaments and daily devotionals. The readings are short, kid-friendly, and a gentle, daily reminder of the story at the heart of Christmas.

2. Create a Family Giving Project

Every December, Crystal’s children choose a giving project—something meaningful to them—and the whole family contributes. The kids even make donation boxes and help gather change throughout the month. It’s a hands-on way to practice generosity and keep the focus on others.

Simplify Your Gift List

For many people, gift-giving is the biggest stressor in December.

Crystal recommends asking yourself:

Who do I feel I should buy for?
Who do I want to buy for?
What budget do I realistically have?

If your list and budget don’t match, consider simplifying:

Family gifts instead of individual gifts
Experience gifts rather than items
Homemade or low-cost gifts, especially for people who “have everything”

Crystal’s free Christmas guide at MoneySavingMom.com includes 15 simple DIY gift ideas—from movie-night boxes to Sharpie-designed mugs to homemade baked goods.

Keep Spending in Check

Overspending is easy at Christmas—but planning helps.

Save Throughout the Year

It’s too late for this season, but Crystal encourages starting a Christmas sinking fund in January. A little each month makes December much lighter.

Use Gift Cards as Your Budget

If you shop online, buying prepaid gift cards (or using ones earned through surveys or reward apps) helps you avoid overspending. When the card is empty, the shopping is done.

If money is tight this year, you still have wonderful options:

Homemade food gifts: cookie dough, loaves of bread, granola, sweet breads
Experience gifts: monthly treats, babysitting, laundry help, home-cooked meals
Sentimental gifts: photo books, recipe collections, handwritten letters

These gifts often mean more than store-bought items because they’re personal, thoughtful, and memorable.

Make Holiday Cooking Easier

Food prep can dominate December, but Crystal suggests planning ahead:

Make a list of everything you hope to cook
Shop ahead of time
Prep and freeze items like cookie dough, rolls, sweet breads, or desserts
Take shortcuts when needed—premade dough or bread can be inexpensive and time-saving

A few hours of prep can give you more space for the moments that matter.

Plan Meaningful Family Time (Without Overfilling Your Calendar)

Crystal offers several delightful ideas to create memories without adding stress.

1. Make a December Bucket List

Each family member chooses one or two special activities. That’s it. This keeps the schedule joyful rather than jam-packed—and ensures you’re doing what everyone actually values.

2. Wrap and Read Christmas Books

Wrap books you already own and open one each day in December. Kids love the anticipation, and it becomes a shared daily moment.

3. Celebrate Early as a Family

Because they travel to visit extended family, Crystal’s family sets aside a full “Christmas Day” together the week before. It allows them to savor time at home without rushing through traditions.

Stay Organized and Reduce Stress

Crystal’s top principle: Ask, “How can I make this easier?”

A few of her go-to strategies:

Write everything down – brain dump into Google Calendar so it’s not “living in your head.”
Time-block your to-dos – small chunks of planned tasks prevent last-minute chaos.
Share the workload – say “yes” when someone offers help. Ask guests to bring a dish. Let kids take part in preparations.

Simplifying isn’t just about doing less—it’s about doing what matters most with more peace.

Crystal’s brand-new resource includes:

15 DIY gift ideas
Food gifts, homemade gifts, and simple creative options
Ideas to simplify and save money this Christmas

You can download it for free at MoneySavingMom.com.

A Final Word

Crystal’s wisdom reminds us that Christmas doesn’t need to be hectic or expensive to be meaningful. With planning, intention, and a focus on Christ, you can give joyfully—not regretfully.

And if you’re looking for help managing your Christmas budget—or planning for any financial season—the FaithFi App can be a tremendous toolkit. It’s designed not just to track your spending, but to help you align every financial decision with biblical wisdom.

Download the FaithFi app at FaithFi.com or search FaithFi in your app store.

May your Christmas be simple, joyful, and centered on what matters most.

On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:

I recently learned that Illinois has an estate tax threshold of $4 million, and my estate is already above that and growing. What kind of planning should I be doing now to prepare for it?
What is the quickest and most affordable way to set up a durable power of attorney for financial, legal, and healthcare decisions?

Resources Mentioned:

Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God’s resources.

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