Christmas is the one time of the year when a lot of families tend to spend the most money. From gifts, to wrapping paper, parties, and more, all the money we spend really adds up! There’s no reason any of us should be going into debt this Holiday season! What can you do to save money this Christmas?
1) Start Shopping Now! Yes, you heard me right. Shop now. If you see something on clearance that would make a great gift for someone you know, buy it. If you see a good deal on some nice led lichtschlauch (LED rope lights) that could be a nice holiday decoration, buy it off! Don’t think twice if anything is on sale or clearance! Once you get your hands on them, put it away and save it for Christmas. Next year, shop all year round. After Christmas Sales are great for getting good deals on Christmas wrap and ribbon. By shopping year round you’ll get the best deals on the items and you don’t have to come up with the money all at once.
- I know a few people who have “Gift Closets”. A Gift Closet doesn’t necessarily have to be a whole closet just for gifts. You can store these things in bins or in a small section of your closet. Shop clearance and sales throughout the year and put the items you purchase in your gift closet. Target has great deals on toys a couple of times a year when toys get marked down to 70% off! I believe those sales are in January and July each year. I also like shopping clearance racks for clothes and other items that make great gifts. Target, Kmart and Macy’s are my favorite stores for clearance shopping!
2) Save a set amount each week. As of right now, we only have 13 weeks left till Christmas. If you start putting some money aside right now, you’ll still be able to have a good amount in your holiday fund. If you save just $10 a week starting now, you’ll have $130 by the time Christmas comes along which should be enough for a nice Christmas meal, last minute stocking stuffers, or other holiday expenses. Next year, start saving in January. If you save just $10 a week until the end of November, you’ll have $440! That’s enough to have a really nice Christmas, and you may even have some left over.
3) Remember, Christmas is NOT all about expensive gifts. Yes, gifts are nice, and we like to spoil our kids and get them all that they ask for, but really, expensive gifts should not be a priority. I do believe every child does deserve a gift, but they don’t need an overwhelming amount. I must admit, I am guilty of overdoing it for Christmas! Especially when my oldest, who’s now 6 was younger and the only child. Between my husband and I and family and friends, she’d end up with a ridiculous amount of gifts, so much that she could barely finish opening them all. I look back at that, and now I realize, it was just too much! I strongly believe that instead of showering her with all those unnecessary and extravagant items, we could have kept it simple and meaningful, by giving her a few Custom Shirts or similar items that she could use for months or maybe till next Christmas.
- I recently came across a post through Pinterest with the following gift giving philosophy: Something You Want, Something you Need, Something to Wear, Something to Read. Each child gets four gifts, one from each category. I think it’s a great idea, and have been debating whether or not I should try it this year.
- Another great idea is to buy a joint gift for all the kids. Buy something they all can enjoy together like a Board game, Video Game Console, Trampoline, Easel, or Doll House. Yes, some of these things might be expensive, but if you wait for good sales, use gift cards you’ve earned or buy them on clearance, you might not need to spend so much after all. You can also find great deals on Craigslist for items that are still in excellent condition, and I’m sure the kids won’t even know the difference. If you have a big family a joint gift will probably save you money. Buy one big gift for all the kids to share, and look for free DIY ideas for the rest.
4) Secret Santa – If you have a big family, doing a Secret Santa Swap might be a good idea. Put everyones names into a basket and each person chooses one name. Buy a gift for the person who’s name you pull. You can have a set minimum amount that everyone must spend towards the gift. My cousins, sisters, and I used to do a Secret Santa Swap with each other back before we had kids of our own. It was always lot of fun and turned out to be one of the most exciting gifts to open. You can do separate Secret Santas for adults and children.
5) DIY Gifts – There are so many great DIY projects out there that are cheap or even free if you have the items laying around your house. Many of these things would make great gift ideas. You could even choose to get grinding. Want to do something nice for your wife? Get in touch with a reliable timber supplier and build her a nice kitchen rack! If your little girl wants some bath and body essentials, get on the internet and learn to make them! Where there is a will, there is a way. My favorite site for finding DIY gift ideas is Pinterest – you can check it out as well!
- Picture Frame – decorate a frame with shells, beads, or decoupage. Add a family photo or photo of the kids and it would make the perfect gift for Grandparents!
- Footprints and Poem Framed Keepsake for Daddy
- Homemade Bath Salts or Body Scrubs
6) BAKE! I don’t know about you, but I love baked goods and I love getting them as gifts. Bake a big batch of cookies and give them away as gifts. You’ll save a little money, and everyone will get to enjoy some homemade baking. You can find one of my favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe’s Here.
7) Cut out Unnecessary Expenses – There’s probably something you pay for, that you don’t really use or need. Whether it’s your daily Starbucks fix or a monthly subscription. These are things we want, but don’t really need, and we can live without these things. Ok, I know some of you need your daily caffeine fix, but does it have to be from Starbucks? Make your own at home! For me, my extra expense was my monthly Shakeology order. It was costing me almost $100 a month, and although it’s a good product and I do drink it, I don’t drink it every day. I had a stockpile of 3 unopened bags! I decided to stop my monthly order, and that’s a big savings for me. Additionally, because of the colder weather during the Christmas season, you may have to spend more on home heating fuel. It is recommended to make effective budget plans, which can help you determine the amount of fuel you’ll need every week and further help you control extra expenses.
8) Write a list and stick to it! Writing a list is a great way to keep on track. This way you won’t end up buying extras that really aren’t necessary.
9) Shop Online for the best deals, and when you do, be sure to use Sites Like Ebates and Top Cash Back to get CASH BACK on all your purchases! Ebates is my favorite site to use when doing my online shopping. I have earned hundreds of dollars in cash back with Ebates! I’m new to Top Cash Back, but I’ve seen some great deals with them too. Sign up for both, and before making a purchase check both sites for the best deals. Also, be sure to do a google search for COUPON CODES for the store you’re shopping at before making any online purchase.
10) Earn Gift Cards and Cash Online throughout the year with sites such as Swagbucks & MyPoints. With Swagbucks, you earn points just by searching online! I have earned a lot of $5 Amazon gift Codes with Swagbucks. I usually get at least $5 worth, sometimes more, a month and I save these up for Christmas. With MyPoints, you get points for reading e-mails, the points add up and you can redeem them for gift cards. I save up all my points throughout the year and redeem them for a gift card in September or the beginning of October as it does take some time to process and receive your gift card. You can also earn points when you shop online through them.
What do you think of these Money Saving ideas? Is there anything you’d add to my list? If you have more tips, please share them in the comments!
Love your tips! Time is flying.. I just know Christmas will be here before we know it! I think this year I am really going to focus on DIY gifts, it will be so much fun!
Thank you for this article! I was just thinking about how quickly this year is passing by. Christmas will be here before we know it! The tip I’m going to take action on right now is #2 – set a budget. It sees that every year in January I wonder…why did I spend so much money?
Excellent, excellent tips! I’m not very good at shopping really early because I’m always afraid they’ll buy what I was going to give them! So with you on the ebates type places too!
These are awesome tips! We take a certain amount from each paycheck starting in July and save it until Cyber Monday (it’s the Monday that follows Black Friday). Our shopping list is done by then, and I do all the shopping online in about 30 minutes at 12:00 a.m. on Cyber Monday. I get great deals, it’s all done, and then I wrap the gifts as they arrive at our doorstep! Then I don’t have to get out in all the crazy Christmas shopping, but if I happen to be out and see something to add to someone’s gift, I can! I bake TONS, too
I love Cyber Monday! Actually, Black Friday has some really good online deals too. I’m in Hawaii, so for online shopping our Black Friday Starts Thursday night, which is when I start searching for all the great deals. I went out on Black Friday a few years ago, and it just wasn’t worth it, I get much better deals online and you can get them from the comfort of your own home!
This sounds like a great way to get shopping done! I am disabled so online shopping is a great help to me. And I love getting the packages right to the door, while the kids are still in s book! LOL
What great tips. I use swagbucks to shop for Christmas as well. The other thing I did three years ago that made a huge difference is open a Christmas club account at my bank. I have a set amount each month taken out of my savings account and put into the Christmas club. Then in November it all goes into my checking account. It’s there when I need it!
Erica
We Three Crabs
Great tips! I have sort of started shopping already, I agree that saves you money and TIME in the end. This year I started saving x amount per week, it REALLY helped!
These are some great tips. I start Christmas shopping after Halloween.
I cannot believe how fast this year has gone by. Christmas is upon us and I appreciate the good tips you have shared on this post.
we are doing the want, need, wear, read, share this year. i shop year round too
I can’t believe it is almost Christmas!! Great tips!!
Great tips! I need to start using ebates more often. I always forget. My sister does the swagbucks thing and that it how she buys christmas gifts each year=)
wonderful tips i always use ebates to shop swagbucks for some reason or another i forget!!thanks for sharing
These are great tips, thanks!
I usually follow a similar philosophy for Christmas. usually my son gets something he can really use, clothes, a book and then a larger toy (or something he really wants). luckly he’s 6… so the Want list isnt crazy expensive yet
It’s really sneaking up on us; and as a family of 7, with only one income, these tips will really come in handy. Thanks!
I’m glad these tips came in handy for you!
Christmas? ARGH!
Call me Scrooge, but I think it is so over rated also, everyone has forgotten the TRUE meaning of Christmas. Now it’s all about CONSUMERISM !
My friend and family make fun of me, but I still have a Christmas Club account at the bank. It helps me save money for the holiday all year and I can work with a set budget.
for this Holiday, I am thinking of giving cupcakes as a gift.. that is if I can learn how to bake before December!
one word – “Swagbucks”…..
Oh My! It is getting close to Christmas. These are great tips and I need to follow all of them. I often overspend at the holidays.
I have such a hard time setting an amount for each person but I know I really need to do that.
I agree that is important to plan ahead. I am an early shopper so I am already doing that. I also stick to a budget it is really easy to go overboard if you don’t plan ahead.
these ideas/tips are great and they come at a perfect time for me and my family.
Great list! I love that remind people about #3, it’s NOT all about the gifts. Thanks for sharing!
Amazing tips!! I myself don’t celebrate Christmas, but your tips are useful even for other holidays and birthdays, too.
These are all wonderful tips that everyone can use in some way! I always plan to shop throughout the year and then never end up doing it!
“Something You Want, Something you Need, Something to Wear, Something to Read. Each child gets four gifts, one from each category.” LOVE this idea… I might try it myself. I also like the joint gift idea… my mom used to do this when we were kids. No reason I can’t do the same!
These are really great tips! Thanks for sharing. It is getting so close to Christmas that we really need to start thinking about budgeting.
Love your post.. so many great tips on how to save for christmas.. we use a CC through out the year that gets paid off every month no ifs and buts and we cash the points in for Amazon gift cards and use them at Christmas, that adds up and it’s FREE money for us.. we always pay the card off so we don’t pay interest… works nice every year.
I too, use a VISA card that I earn points on. I’m always sure to pay the card off each month. When I get $100 in points I use it towards my next bill! It would be a good idea to use it towards Christmas too!
I start buying in January.. especially all the clearance sales right after Christmas.. some very good deals.. and you can find many great stuff for family and friends in the clearance section of any store and they would never know you got it on clearance.. (This is the first place I visit every time I go shopping.)
I agree, I love the Clearance section!
I’ve started selling some stuff now and have been padding an account just for Christmas. I’m working on it a little every week.
My sister is having a garage sale this weekend, I won’t be able to go, but I think I’m going to give her some things to sell for me! I’ll save that towards gifts or other things we need.
I love all these tips. Every little bit helps especially during the holiday!
AWESOME tips! I shop early, so I am halfway done!
I love shopping a head my husband likes to wait for the last minute we don’t have much storage space to hide gifts.
I love these tips!! I always start shopping early – spacing it out over 6 months or so makes it much easier and more affordable! Definitely stick to a budget!!
This is a great reminder to start thinking about how we will handle Christmas this year. I do bake a lot for friends and neighbors, but we spend too much on our kids every year!
Great tips! I shop all year round for holidays! I have a pretty nice gift closet.
Most important tip. Its not all about gifts. Kids have so much already. It would be nice to give back.
That is true. If you are able to, it would be very nice to help a family who can’t afford a Christmas at all! What I really dislike, is when families who actually can afford a Christmas still take advantage of programs that are meant to help the needy. They are able to buy their kids gifts, and do, yet still take advantage of these programs. I have seen it happen all too often. If I found a family who really, truly needed the help, I would help them.
All great tips! I’ve tried saving money each week, I’ve tried shopping ahead of time… I always seem to fall off track or something. Bleh.
These are great tips!
Thanks for these great tips! I’ve just bookmarked this! This year I’m starting early and trying to save for sure!
Thank you for the great tips! It’s so hard to stay on a budget with such a big family. These tips will really help
Christmas always stresses me out! Great tips!
Really useful tips! We could save so much just by planning early and sticking to the plan.
I absolutely love this list! I will be bookmarking it to make it a habit. I think Christmas gets so over whelming but things like this will help ease the stress!
We always try to stick to a budget. It’s so hard though. I end up justifying whey they need XYZ, when really they don’t. It’s just more stuff. Great tips.
I love the idea of giving Baked Goods for Gifts. I give out Homemade Wine and Jelly!!
Just bake to save money and distribute the goods.
great tips! I always start my shopping super early
I have started shopping already. I really like the idea of joint gifts also. We are considering an IPad for the two kids to share or possibly a new laptop for them.
Great post! I love how you mentioned that Christmas is not just about gifts- too many people have forgotten that. I also love online shopping, you can save so much money!
Thank you for the great tips, Christmas can be so expensive!
Thanks for all the great ideas!! I do try to shop year-round, the only problem I run into with that is when something doesn’t fit and it’s past the date where I can return it. But hey, you win some, you lose some.
(Saving Money For Christmas – 10 Great Tips) These are all great tips, I started my Christmas shopping right after last years holiday. I found some great deals too.
I love your ideas, this is pretty much what we do! I already have some gift bought, and we have a little money set aside. We also do more for Birthdays than gifts for Christmas so that spreads it out more!
Thanks so much for the tips! I absolutely love the “Something You Want, Something you Need, Something to Wear, Something to Read” philosophy! Not that I’ll probably stick with it, but I’ll try! I also try to shop all year long, and my daughter is only five so it’s easy to sneak packages past her. I even have one Barbie that I’ve been holding onto for well over a year now. I finally think that this Christmas will be the one where she gets it! haha
Thanks for the tips now I just need to have money to save. lol
I always have intentions to get my Christmas shopping done early but with our busy work schedule and not having the funds to shop, it gets delayed. I find myself year after year, that I shop for gifts a week before Christmas which is not a good thing. You end up scrambling for gifts and end up spending more than you intend to. I definitely will try some of the advice you have given in your article! Thanks!
I hope some of these tips will work for you!
This is a great article with AWESOME tips. I am sharing it with my family as we speak. Thank you
really great tips and couldnt have come at a better time i will be bookmarking this page forsure!
I love the tips that you gave Christmas can be pricey if you dont have follow these tips
great tips.i love shopping early for Christmas.
These are great tips! I love baking & every year I bake a lot of cookies & make fudge, I give them out as gifts & everyone loves it!
Thanks for the tips. I will try to keep them in mind this holiday season
Great tips. I also shop early for Christmas that way I don’t need to exhaust my wallet at one time.
Really great tips! I am making some post it notes so I won’t forget to so through one of those sites when I am buying something online. I always forget.
This was many great ideas. This year I did start a little earlier with the giftshopping and that is good cause I usully can be in the last minute:) It is not fun to make the Christmas into a stressful time.
Thanks for all the good tips for saving money. As I get older I enjoy homemade goodies and crafts alot more. They are more personable and show you care about that person. I try to
have someone else get for two of my grand kids I give her my list and amount and off she goes. Easy gifts for the older one as I never know what to buy them – cash always seems to make them happy.
I agree, homemade gifts are great! Last year my cousin baked 4 kinds of cookies, and put them in a box for us. I loved it!
Great ideas you got here. Thanks for sharing:)
if you do santa limit the gifts he brings and give the rest from you, it is easier to explain that money is tight at home than at the North Pole. We do gift cards and tickets to places we will be taking the kids to during the rest of the year, it makes them feel older when they get to pay and it is money we would spend at a later time anyway, now we don’t have to spend that money and get gifts too.
Gift Card and tickets are both great ideas! I actually should have given my kids gift cards to the movie theater. I thought of that idea after Christmas was over. I’ll keep that idea for next year though.
baking is always a great way to go for xmas
Great ideas!
I do the gift closet thing (kind of) and without fail…I always forget a few things by the time Christmas rolls around. Winning Swagbucks and Amazon.com GCs really does come in handy. Also, entering giveaways and trying to win toys and gifts for kids is another good way that I save for Christmas.
I try to enter giveaways too and save the prizes for gifts. I haven’t been lucky in a while though!
It’s never too early to start saving for Christmas! It our favorite holiday and we love decorating to the extreme! But it can be costly! Thanks for your tips!
This is a great post for any holiday/occasion!
I love being able to feel good/accomplished when I have successfully been able to get the gifts I need for good prices. Especially when they are hard to find items!
Thanks for these great tips .
Great ideas! I’m already thinking about Christmas shopping and how to afford it all.
I know this is an old post but these tips are great! I already shop year round, which helps a ton. I have pinned this so I can keep coming back to it. Thanks for the great tips!
Great tips. I have been doing some, have about 1/2 of Christmas bought already. I love trying to find the items I need to buy the cheapest from ads.
I love #3! I have trouble keeping it to those things, but I would love to. We did better this year than in the past, at least.
Baking is my favorite way to give gifts during the holiday season! We do banana bread and cookies every year and hand out to friends and family!