With Christmas coming up it is no surprise that we are looking for ways to give without breaking the bank. Giving this Holiday season can be thoughtful and well planned. No need to go broke. See 5 Frugal Tips to Save On Your Christmas Shopping
5 Frugal Tips to Save on Christmas Shopping
It is never too early to think about Christmas shopping. Maybe you are on top of it and have been buying gifts all year long (good for you!) However, most of us are not quite that organized. It doesn’t matter if your list is long or short- we are all looking for the best ways to save money on our Christmas gifts.
Think about this for a moment, there is a reason that the day after Thanksgiving is known as Black Friday—Christmas spending is something that every person needs to be aware of. It is important to take the time to carefully plan and purchase the Christmas gifts so that you do not overspend and put things on a credit card.
Here are 5 Frugal Tips To Save On Your Christmas shopping.
Think Ahead
You really need to make a budget and stick to it. Having a plan of attack will really help save you money. Make a list of people you want to give gifts to and pencil in a rough estimate of how much you want to spend. Be realistic in your budget as to how much money you really have to spend. If you have an overall budget planned, you can make a point of saving a portion of that total every month. Divide the total into how many months you have to save, and put that amount away monthly. When you are ready to shop, only spend the amount you have saved up. Creating a list can help you save on Christmas Shopping.
- A list helps you watch for the best price on an item.
- It can simplify the process and take away the worry about finding the perfect gift.
- A list allows you to ask others about where to find the best deals.
Pare Down
Go over your gift list and see if you can pare it down.
Do you really need to give everyone a gift? Think hard about who you want to give to this year. It is really okay to not give anything to every person you know. Some larger families draw names which is a great idea. Maybe you can give a group gift to a family, like movie tickets or a dinner out. For friends and relatives out of town, a handwritten note in a Christmas card would surely be appreciated. For even more frugality send a postcard (postage costs much less!)
Gift Cards
Gift cards are always a great idea, but did you know that you can actually buy them at a discount? Sites such as raise.com, cardpool.com or cardcash.com offer gift cards from 2 % to more than 15% off the value of the card. Check these websites before you buy any gift cards for your family and friends.
Use Credit Wisely
If you don’t have to use credit, that is great, but if you do use a credit card be smart about it. Have only one card and make sure you are getting cash back or airline miles. Credit used wisely can give you some benefits, but make sure not to overspend and pay off the card before interest starts accruing. Other helpful tips to save on Christmas Shopping.
- Consider the expectations set by family members and social situations when making up your budget. You may want to advocate for lower spending limits if you have a large family you have to buy for.
- Shop sales and start shopping early. If you can purchase items throughout the year, it makes Christmas less stressful
- Setting aside each month for Christmas can also make budgeting easier.
Crafty Cook?
If you happen to be a great cook or really adept at crafting, by all means, give homemade gifts. Gifts that you make yourself show how much you care. You are giving your time and talent to those you care about. Pinterest has great ideas if you need inspiration. Maybe find an old family recipe that nobody makes anymore and give that away for a special treat.
Enjoy your Christmas shopping experience, but don’t let it break your finances. Plan ahead and shop smart, then sit back and enjoy the holidays with your loved ones.
Remember all the FREE Stuff – (Extra Tip)
Don’t forget about all the free stuff that you can collect throughout the year! Such rebates earn from Ibotta, Savingstar or Checkout 51 Rewards earn on grocery shopping. Throughout the year we are constantly keeping in mind people’s birthdays and Christmas gifts and have stock-piled cookware, hats, books, and whatever else we can find that we know would make good gifts.
Swagbucks is also a great way to collect free Amazon credit for purchasing gifts. We use it to buy necessary household things during the year, but it also comes in really handy during Christmas since it means we basically buy Christmas gifts for free!
You can also get a FREE $10 ThredUp Credit for joining. ThredUp is the largest consignment shop online that sells new and used Women’s and Children’s clothing.
There are many reward programs that can help you save for Christmas. It is also almost impossible for me to cover them all in one article, but I think you catch my drift on saving those free rewards for shopping during the Christmas season.
Other Christmas Savings Tips & Articles
Why you should be Using “Raise” SmartPhone Gift Card App!
The Many Benefits of Amazon Prime – (Plus Free Trial)
