11 Ways To Save Money At Christmas
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11 Ways To Save Money At Christmas – You don’t need to spend a lot of money to have a great Christmas season. These simple tips will help you prioritize your gift giving and come up with affordable gift ideas.
Christmas is a time of year that brings joy to my heart and yet it can also be a time of stress. You know what I mean right?
You want to give wonderful gifts to all of your family and friends. But money is tight, or the stress of shopping this time of year is overwhelming.
You need to take a step back and make a game plan. There are many ways to save money at Christmas.
Ways To Save Money At Christmas And Still Have Fun
1. Make A List
The first thing you need to do to save money at Christmas time is to sit down and figure out who you want to give gifts to. Your children, spouse, parents, etc.
It’s YOUR list and everyone’s will be different. Remember, though, that Christmas isn’t all about the gifts, and don’t let yourself feel guilty for not being able to buy expensive gifts for every single person you know.
2. Organize A Secret Santa Exchange
Secret Santa gift exchanges are a great way to have fun and lower the amount of money you spend on Christmas gifts. Gift exchanges are also a fun thing to do with your children.
Having a larger family it would be expensive for each of our children to buy a gift for every one of their siblings. Instead, we draw names each year and they get to pick out one gift.
Set a dollar limit upfront that everyone has to stay under. With a little thought, you can easily find a low priced but special gift for that person, or make one!
3. Homemade Food Gifts
Baking yummy treats for family and friends is a wonderful way to stretch your gift-giving budget.
I have yet to meet anyone who doesn’t love home baked cookies, breads, pies etc. Making these gifts yourself is fun, get the kids helping and make a family fun time afternoon.
Set of 4 Black Duck Brand Christmas Serving Trays w / 4 Different Christmas Designs
Happy Holidays ~Round Tin Christmas Print Serving Trays, Pack of 2 (Snowflakes)Christmas Trays Set of 2 Large Round Snowman Decorative Design Plastic 13.5 Inch
One family Christmas tradition that I’ve kept from my childhood is baking different types of Christmas cookies to give as gifts.
I love to buy pretty Christmas trays or tins to lay the cookies out in covered with some plastic wrap and a bow these are a delicious frugal gift!
I’ve found Amazon has the best prices on cookie trays. Click here to -> see all the cookie trays
Looking for easy Christmas cookie recipes? These are some of my favorites.
4. Make Themed Gift Baskets
Gift baskets are the perfect gift for those hard to buy for people on your list and a great way to stretch your budget.
Look at the people on your list, what hobbies do they enjoy? Are any tea or coffee lovers?
Check local thrift shops, dollar stores, Amazon, or Etsy and pick up some baskets. Add some coffee or tea mixes a pretty mug etc. Maybe tuck in some cookies to go along with them.
For a gardener, a pretty flower pot (paint it yourself!) seeds, mini garden tools, etc. work wonderfully.
Heavenly Tea Leaves Tea Sampler, 9 Flavor Variety Pack12 Gourmet Coffees of Christmas Holiday Gift SetCoffee Sampler Gift from The Swiss Colony
Would you rather buy pre-made gift baskets? Amazon has great prices on gift baskets for everyone on your list!
5. Give The Gift Of Time
Spending time with the people we love is the most important gift we can give them.
Do you have elderly neighbors or family members who have a hard time getting out?
Go and spend a few hours with them, share a tea, or read together they will treasure your visit.
Don’t let this practice stop once Christmas is over, make time in your life to visit with people as often as possible. It means so much to those who are lonely and will bring joy to your heart also.
Do you knit, crochet, quilt, bake, can, garden, etc.?
There are many people who would love to learn these things, volunteer to teach them. Perhaps a gift basket with the tools to practice along with a coupon book for “lessons” would be a nice surprise!
If you don’t know anyone who wants to learn a new skill you can still bless them with your gifts by creating a beautiful handmade gift for them.
These beautiful snowy mason jar luminaries are quick to make and make a perfect gift idea.
7. Use Coupons And Sales
Before heading to the stores check the Facebook and Twitter pages for your favorite places. Many stores put up coupons, sale codes on these sites.
Use online coupon sites to get discounts and cashback on your shopping. I always use sites like these and it saves me hundreds of dollars each year.
Swagbucks is one site that I’ve used for years to save money. You can earn free “Swagbucks’ as you are searching online or buying through one of their many affiliated stores.
I then use these bucks to buy gift cards for sites like Amazon so that I get free gift cards for just doing normal things I do online every day.
Ebates is another favorite site of mine. It’s so easy to earn cashback on my online shopping with Ebates.
Signup to Rakuten for free and get a $10 bonus! If you’re in Canada you can join Rakuten Canada here and get a $5 bonus for joining.
Use the coupons to buy your gifts at a lower price but don’t feel like you have to spend the difference that you saved.
8. Shop Online For The Best Deals On Gifts
While I’m all for supporting local stores sometimes you just can’t find what you need locally. Especially if you live in a very rural area as we do.
I find that by shopping online I can find the best deals on gifts I want to buy. Many stores offer free shipping and have products lower-priced online than in the store!
Take advantage of that. Besides, it’s nice to shop in your jammies with a hot chocolate, isn’t it?
9. Buy Gifts Of Items That Are Needed
When I’m going to spend money on something it has to be practical and something we need.
Especially when times are tight, receiving a gift of something you really need is such a blessing. A new coat, winter clothes, replacing an old or broken appliance.
A needed item will be used and remembered for a long time.
10. Gift Cards Make Wonderful Gifts!
I love gift cards and I think they make great gifts, but you need to buy them wisely.
Find out where the person likes to shop. You don’t want to give a gift card to a store that they never shop at.
If they love to shop online gift cards for sites like Amazon are great. They sell a wide range of items, at a low price and have free shipping.
If your friend or family member loves handcrafted or vintage items I’m sure they would love a gift card for Etsy.
Gift cards to favorite restaurants are a nice treat too, I’ve loved receiving these and use them on the days I’m just too tired to cook.
Starbucks Gift Cards, Multipack of 4 – $10Texas Roadhouse Gift Card $25Olive Garden $25 Gift CardAmazon.com Gift Card for Any Amount in a Silver Reveal (Classic Black Card Design)Subway Gift Cards, Multipack of 3 – $10Steam Gift Card – $20
Check out Amazon for the best selection of gift cards for your favorite stores!
11. Make Your Own Coupon Books For Family And Friends
Maybe you just can’t find the perfect gift for someone. Making up your own coupon books for chores and fun dates is a great idea and you can customize it for each person on your list.
If you enjoy childcare you could make up a babysitting coupon book. That would be so appreciated by the tired moms and dads on your list!
You could also make up booklets with a variety of coupons.
Some ideas to include for coupons:
- yard work
- spring cleaning
- walking the dog
- lunch out
- a movie
Think about what would be special to that person.
Remember don’t let the holiday stress you out. This is a special time to share with family, friends, and those in need to share the love of our Lord Jesus.
It is more important to spend time with the people you love than anything else.
What are your favorite ways to save money at Christmas? Do you make your gifts?
Looking for more gift ideas? Click here to see all of my gift guides.
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Kim Mills is a homeschooling mom of 6 and lives on an urban homestead in Ontario, Canada. Blogging at Homestead Acres she enjoys sharing tips to help you save money, grow and preserve your own food.
