As of September 16, there are 100 days until Christmas.

Whether that information leaves you feeling excited, depressed or indifferent, I hope you’ll take one minute to think about the financial implications for your household.

Too often, Christmas seems to sneak up on us. We think we have plenty of time to get our act together, but before we know it, it’s Thanksgiving Day. And then it’s December. And then it’s Christmas Eve. And we’re left scurrying from one store to another like a bunch of disgruntled elves.

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Here’s the good news: Christmas is never sneaky. It happens on the same day every year.

It is possible to skip the frantic shopping and actually focus on celebrating the birth of Christ. It just takes a little determination and a budget. And time.

So, you’ve been warned: there are just over three months until Christmas. Avoid the un-merry budgeting mistake of waiting ‘til the last minute. Instead, use the five tips below to experience a less crazy, more joyful holiday.

Make a List and Check It Twice

If you’re planning to buy gifts for your friends or relatives, write down the names of everyone on your shopping list. If you’re married, have your spouse check it out to make sure you didn’t miss anyone (and to make sure you’re in agreement on who makes the cut). Having a list will eliminate those last-minute Christmas Eve trips to the mall when you realized you forgot about Uncle Bob. It’ll also prevent impulse buys for people who aren’t on the list.

Write Down a Budget ASAP and Start Saving

If you make a Christmas budget in the middle of September, you’ll have about 14 weeks to get the money together. Let’s say your Christmas gift budget is $400. Wouldn’t it be a less painful experience to set aside $29 each week for 14 weeks than try to come up with the whole 400 bucks the week before Christmas?

Start Working on Homemade Gifts

Each year, I promise myself I’ll make some awesomely creative homemade Christmas gifts for my family. And each year, procrastination kills my plan, sending me to the mall with everyone else. Don’t be like me. Hop on Pinterest and pick out your gift ideas now. Then follow tip #2 to set aside money for the supplies. Making your own gifts can save you a ton of cash, but only if you plan ahead.

Talk to Your Family About Alternatives

A lot of families skip the hassle and financial burden of buying gifts for everyone and pull names out of a hat instead. That way, everyone gets a gift and no one has to worry about shopping for 27 different people who don’t want or need another pair of socks. Other families only buy gifts for the kids. And some forego expensive presents in favor of making a donation to charity in honor of the birth of Jesus. Your family may be open to a different kind of gift arrangement, but you’ll never know if you don’t ask.

Skip the Gifts

This may not be popular, but guess what? Christmas isn’t a popularity contest. After looking at your budget and your financial goals, you may decide it’s unwise to buy any Christmas gifts this year. Regardless of what other people may think, that decision is OK. No one else is going to look out for the financial wellbeing of you and your family. If buying gifts for friends and adult relatives means falling behind on bills or debt payments, don’t do it. But make sure you let people know about your plan ahead of time, especially if you’ve exchanged gifts with someone for 20 years. A little heads up will keep you off their naughty list.