How To Save Money On Christmas Gifts
photo credit: alancleaver_2000
Christmas gifts … we’re blessed to receive them, more blessed to give them, and if we’re not careful, definitely hard on the budget. In the present economy, more than ever we wish to give gifts to those we love and those who help us throughout the year, so let’s explore how to save money and still give great Christmas gifts.
How To Save Money On Christmas Gifts
- Cut up or set aside the credit cards and make this a cash-only Christmas
- Shop Goodwill, thrift stores, Dollar Tree, and clearance aisles only–you’d be surprised how many great things can be had for the proverbial song
- Utilize that divine creativity when you wish to save money on Christmas gifts and go the DIY route: knit, build a birdhouse or a what-not shelf, paint a picture, craft a poem and put it in a frame, use as many recycled goods to do this as possible
- Find a deal on bulk magazine subscriptions, choose several, and send them to friends or family
- Shop online sales and no-shipping fee deals, or go the Ebay or Craig’s List route
- Give a few heirlooms to your grown children now rather than saving them all for the will
- Give one gift per family this year rather than one per person: board game, movie night goody basket with DVD, micro-wave popcorn, and packets of hot chocolate mix, or a beautiful basket filled with fruit, nuts, and home-made cookies
- Save your shopping for those last minute deals, online and off
- Give coupons for baby-sitting, cleaning a friend’s closet, or baking a dessert once a month for your Aunt Sophie’s family, or cleaning Grandpa Harry’s garage come spring…tuck the coupons into a pretty card
- Don’t rule out re-gifting (I know, but the times are tough:)
- Use newspaper or brown paper bags as gift wrap and tie them up in shiny ribbon or twine with a sprig of holly on top…good for the earth; good to save money
General Tips To Save Money On Christmas Gifts
Draw up a holiday budget, and stick to it. Make an idea list for each gift recipeint and carry it in your wallet or purse to avoid impulse purchases. This is also a good way to take advantage of sales when you happen upon them. Buy some dollar store mugs, photo frames, and candy to have on hand in case you find you’ve left someone off your list or get a surprise guest this year.
We’ll all enjoy Christmas more if we’re not stressed about how to pay for it!
Please do share your own ways to save money on Christmas gifts 
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