Shopping for Christmas gifts can be a burden on your pocketbook if you have a large number of people you want to buy gifts for. A number of tips can help you keep your costs at a minimum while still buying great gifts:
Sit down and plan out your very specific budget for the holidays. This should include writing down the people you have to purchase gifts for as well as how much you can afford to spend. You can then allot a certain amount of money to each person and shop according to that plan. Don’t forget about teachers you may want to buy a small gift for as well as the mailman or a neighbor.
Shop online for some of the best deals you will find anywhere. A lot of online stores offer free shipping around the holidays and you may be able to buy gifts for a number of people all on one site. Before completing your order, check to see if you can find a coupon code online to reduce your bill by ten or twenty percent.
Agree with extended family members or friends to spend a minimal amount on one another. If you know other people won’t be spending a fortune on you, you won’t feel bad if you can’t afford much. If you have a very large family, suggest pulling names out of a hat and only buying for one person instead of everyone.
Make your own gifts if you’re crafty. You can knit, crochet or sew blankets, ornaments, pillows or hand towels. All of these items will be used so you won’t feel like you’re wasting your time and money. Plus, people will know you care about them if they see you put the effort into making something for them instead of just stopping off at a store to pick up something. You can also pre-measure dried soup ingredients, hot cocoa mixes with marshmallows or cookie ingredients, place them in jars and decorate them as gifts. If you have children this is a great idea that gets them involved as well.
Save coupons ahead of time to take along when you shop. If you make purchases at a store regularly, you may want to check your receipt. A number of places have a survey on your receipt that if you take it, you receive a percentage off your next purchase. Keep these handy even if you think you won’t be shopping at a certain store. You might stop in and find a great deal.
Stick to your list and don’t start randomly buying items. When you check off what you set out to buy, don’t start picking up more items and taking them to the register. This is where your budget can start to get out of hand.
Taking a moment to plan out your Christmas shopping can help you save money this holiday season. The point to giving gifts is to show you love and appreciate someone. This doesn’t always mean that you have to spend a small fortune on them to get this point across. Thinking about what someone might really like and be able to use is more important.