With Christmas Day rapidly creeping up it might seem frightening to even consider how much you’ll end up spending this holiday season. Although there is always that desire to get everyone what they want for the holidays, it often isn’t financially smart to do so. There are a few ways to give some pretty amazing gifts this holiday season without forcing yourself into a debt over the items. Holiday shopping is one of those tasks that are often dreaded because of the amount of money that goes into the process. With these tips you’ll be able to find some peace and fun in this annual tradition which will leave you anticipating the holiday rather than stressing out about it.
1. Shop Early
One way to avoid the holiday stress is to simply do some shopping early. Anyone who has ever ventured out on Christmas Eve to deal with a forgotten gift knows how hard it is to find what you’re looking for, let alone pay the monstrous price for it. If you start your shopping months in advance you may find you’ll actually be able to avoid the holiday stress and instead celebrate the tranquility of the season. If you’re feeling really ambitious then you may want to start out on your shopping as early as January. If you see an item someone would love to have then go ahead and get it if the money permits. This will give you a stock of gifts before you even have to worry about who is on Santa’s nice list. It will also allow you to have money to spend on everyone, rather than trying to squeeze in the huge price tag of the holiday in three or four paydays.
2. Avoid Online Shopping
Shopping online may seem like a great option when it comes to getting everything you need for the holidays. However, unless you can find free shipping on your purchase it may not work out in your favor. There are actually very few items that can be ordered online during the holidays that will actually save you money. Instead, you should always do a little research and pick the item up at a local store. Typically, when you shop online your shipping alone could end up making your purchase $20 to $30 more than you would spend in an actual store. Occasionally there is a great purchase, but it is usually better to avoid to shopping via the internet unless you are simply window shopping. Although it may seem inconvenient on your end during this busy season it is actually cheaper to tackle the long lines to get the items you need.
3. Make Gifts
If you’re looking to save as much money as possible then you may want to put your craftsmanship to work instead of spending a fortune on commercial items. A homemade gift is a great way to make someone feel special while saving you a whole lot of money. If you’re looking to make gifts for your loved ones this year then you may want to start working on your projects early in the year as it will give you plenty of time to get everything ready without leaving you stressed out during the holiday season. A lot of people have specific skills they love to utilize, but if you aren’t sure about your crafting niche yet then you may want to look up some holiday projects online. There are a lot of websites dedicated to helping you find cool crafts and showing you how to make them. One of the most common holiday projects is making a custom holiday ornament that can be brought out year after year. You can also use your skills to make your own holiday cards so you don’t have to worry about spending money on bulk cards too.
4. Draw Names
One huge problem during the holidays is buying for everyone on your list. If you have a lot of friends or a big family then coming up with a budget to get someone a little something can really hurt your household budget. The best way to remedy this problem is to draw names during the holiday. This will allow everyone to spend a bit more money on their gift and will ensure that everyone in the group gets at least one gift. If you have multiple groups to buy for then this will certainly make the holiday gifting a lot less burdensome and will require a lot less time on your part. You may even want to turn the holiday ritual into a Secret Santa party or a game where each person gets to trade off gifts. This will even bring a little bit more fun to your holiday parties.
5. Avoid the “it” gift
It happens every single year. There is one item or another that hits the market just at Christmas time that every child or adult absolutely has to have. Of course, every year the “it” gift is ridiculously expensive and will certainly cut into your holiday budget. Although it might be everyone’s must have item you should probably try to avoid this gift at all costs. The “it” gift tends to be something that is well advertised through the season so everyone believes that have to have it, when reality is that most people will lose interest in before the New Year happens. Instead of wasting a fortune on this gift you might want to look for something that is similar. This will give the satisfaction of having the gift without forcing you to pay the price tag. For instance, there are numerous jewelry trends that feature similar items that aren’t even close to the price of the “it” item. Kid’s must have toys can usually be replaced by items that are similar or something you actually know your child is going to use throughout the year.
6. Shop Sales Only
Many people lose out on a lot of money because they only shop full priced stores for their holiday gifts. Although it may seem easy to shop in these stores, it is just as easy to take on the outlet stores who offer many of the same items for a whole lot less. These sales stores are designed to give you more for your money, so make sure you take advantage of the amazing deals during the holiday season. You may also want to avoid your favorite stores until they are having their holiday sales. This will help you get items at a better price which could help you afford more gifts for friends and family. Of course, nothing really beats shopping for items in the clearance section as there is generally something for everyone at a price that is more than friendly for your price limit.
7. Research Before Buying
One of the worst things about holiday shopping is finding an item you’ve purchased recently at a lower price. One way to remedy this buyers remorse is to do a whole lot of research before you actually make your purchase. This can be tough during the holidays because you want to make sure you secure the perfect gift, but with a little patience you’ll find your gift shopping can save you money if you avoid impulse buying. With your research taken care of you can sit back and enjoy wrapping the gifts and anticipating the day they’ll be opened. Of course, you could also research stores that will match prices. This will allow you to take back any items you find cheaper so you can still receive the best possible price on them.
8. Layway
If you tend to be an early shopper then you might want to consider using a layway program. A lot of department stores and some technology stores will allow you to go shopping and put a hold on the items you have so you can pick them up at a later date. This allows you to put down a down payment on the items so you will have a hold on the must have gifts that might fly off the shelves this season. With your gifts saved for your family you won’t have to worry about doing any more shopping. The layway program allows you to put money down on the items each month until you pay them off, which is a great way to make sure you don’t spend too much money during one particular pay period. If you end up finding an item that you’ve placed on layway for cheaper elsewhere then you can remove from the layway and get a full refund on the money you’ve already put down on the item.
9. Make a List
There’s a pretty good reason why Santa Claus makes a list and checks it twice. One of the easiest ways to save money during the holiday season is to sit down and make a list before you do any shopping. Make sure you write down anyone you may need to buy a gift for so you won’t end up doing any last minute shopping as this tends to cost the most money. Your list can even get complex enough to point out the different price levels you are willing to spend on each person. Thus, you can calculate potential spending before you actually go to the store and buy things. With this information already decided you won’t have to worry about going over the amount stated on your list which can help you avoid going crazy on shopping during the season.
10. Set a Budget
For the best possible way to save money on your holiday spending you should make a budget and stick to it. Make sure you go over your finances well before you decide on how much you want to spend over the season. This doesn’t mean you should decide to spend money based on how much you have on your credit card. Instead you should work out your finances so you know exactly what won’t leave you in a bind when the holidays are over. With this in mind you’ll be able to set a spending limit for each person on your holiday list. If you can stick to the amount of money you set up for each individual you should have absolutely no problem saving over the holiday season. Of course, the trick is actually spending the time to come up with the best possible budget for your holiday and future finances, so make sure you check your number more than twice.
As the holidays grow nearer you may be concerned about how much you’re spending on gifts. With these easy tips you should be able to get just what you need for a lot less than you’d normally spend on your holiday expenditures. You should never let the meaning of the season get lost in the commercial attraction of the holiday. Instead cool down before you make any shopping decisions and check out how much you’ll be able to save by simply following these tips. With your finances looking great you may find that the holiday season may become one of your favorite parts of the year again.
