NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) — There's just something about the sights, sounds and sales of the holiday season that make you do things you wouldn't otherwise do, like buy more than you can afford. "Your energy just gets up and you're in the holiday spirit," said BayPort Credit Union Youth Financial Educator Annalise Gibbs. "It can be really easy to go away from whatever you had planned to spend or purchase that day." Gibbs is a financial expert, but she's no scrooge and knows that "budget" is a word no one wants to hear this time of year. So, if you want to control holiday spending, she suggests starting with a holiday mindset that prioritizes quality over quantity. "Gift exchanges can be a great way to help release the anxiety of it all," she said. "Just focus on that one meaningful thing or switch to a meaningful gesture." A handwritten thank you note attached to a homemade gift may be just the thing to show a teacher or mail carrier your gratitude. "Maybe your best friend needs a babysitter to just go out for the night, treat themselves," Gibbs said. "That's a great present that you can give somebody that they might not already have." Take your kids to free or inexpensive community events, she said, to spread holiday cheer without breaking the bank. Make holiday meals and parties potluck events so no one person is responsible for it all. When you do shop for gifts, know your limits and remember, Gibbs said, no one makes good choices when they tired. "Maybe you put a timer on yourself," she said. "OK, after 8 p.m., no more buying anything tonight, 8 p.m. is my cutoff because I know after that point, I'm just trying to fill a void." BayPort is also offering 12 days of holiday wellness, with festive financial tips and free gifts, including tickets to Holiday Lights at the Beach. You can check that out on any BayPort social media page.