HOW TO PROTECT YOUR FINANCIAL INTIMACY WHILE CHRISTMAS SHOPPING

Christmas is called the season of giving for a reason. It feels good to find the perfect gift for someone or support a cause that’s close to your heart. But Christmas shopping and spending can take a toll on the financial intimacy in your marriage if you don’t take precautions.

As commercials, ads, and influencers try to tell you how to spend your money this Christmas season, take action to protect your financial intimacy. The simplest way to start is by having a conversation and creating a plan.

The Importance of Financial Intimacy

Finances play a huge role in marriage. And like all 6 Pillars of Intimacy®, financial intimacy is strongest when you and your spouse have regular conversations around the topic. This is perhaps most true during the holidays, when the average family spends nearly $1,000 on gifts, holiday items, and more.

Getting on the same page about Christmas spending is vital. Understandably, talking about money can be challenging. It may feel daunting or uncomfortable. It’s likely that you and your spouse have different thoughts and opinions about how to handle finances since you grew up with different money beliefs.

Like any skill, discussing finances takes practice. You will need to be open and willing to share your thoughts and feelings. It might not always be easy, but regular conversations about money will strengthen your financial intimacy.

Understand How Christmas Shopping Affects the 6 Pillars of Intimacy®

Christmas is a special time of year. This makes it easy to justify overspending. But if you aren’t careful, Christmas shopping can cause a heavy strain on your marriage.

The 6 Pillars of Intimacy® do not stand alone. Each one affects the others, and financial intimacy is no different. Cracks in your financial intimacy, if not addressed, can lead to cracks in other pillars.

Some examples of cracks in your financial intimacy include keeping secrets about your spending or hiding purchases in the trunk of your car. When you are not honest with your spouse about money, it weakens your financial intimacy as well as other pillars.

Consider the impact that hidden purchases can have on your emotional intimacy, for example. Eventually, your spouse will learn the truth. They might feel an array of emotions, including betrayal and a loss of trust. This creates deep wounds, which will take time and effort to repair.

The best way to strengthen your financial intimacy is by having honest conversations with your spouse. Strengthening your financial intimacy can help prevent cracks from forming in this area and others.

3 Steps to Strengthen Financial Intimacy Amid the Christmas Shopping Craze

Christmas shopping doesn’t have to take a toll on your financial intimacy. The best way to keep your financial intimacy strong during the holiday season is by having regular, intentional conversations about money and expectations.

1. Discuss Your Beliefs About Christmas Shopping

Christmas shopping means different things to different people. One spouse might want to spend a little extra money to buy the perfect presents while the other spouse prefers to stick to a tighter budget.

Have an open and honest conversation with your spouse about their Christmas shopping beliefs. Talk about how you experienced Christmases as a child. In what ways did your experiences shape your current views about spending money for Christmas?

Having these conversations will help bring you and your spouse closer together. You’ll both be on the same page about Christmas shopping. As a result, you will strengthen your financial intimacy.

2. Set Up a Holiday Spending Plan

A great way to ensure you and your spouse agree about Christmas shopping is by creating a Holiday Spending Plan. Write down what you need to budget for this holiday season and determine your spending limits in each category. This can include Christmas gifts, travel, holiday decorations, meals, activities, and more. Then, commit to sticking to the budget.

Having a Holiday Spending Plan in place can provide security and peace of mind to you and your spouse. As a result, it strengthens your financial intimacy and gives you both a roadmap to follow during the holidays.

3. Maintain Open Communication Throughout the Holidays 

Whether you have regular conversations about money with your spouse or not, Christmas is the time of year to be extra intentional. Determine how often you will check in on the Holiday Spending Plan.

Communication is essential to make sure both spouses feel heard and respected. Be accountable to each other and follow the plan you have created.

Take Action Today

Christmas shopping doesn’t have to create a divide between you and your spouse. Protect your financial intimacy this year by being proactive. Talk with your spouse about your expectations and create a budget for the holidays. Download the free Holiday Spending Planner to get started today.