Everyone seems to be on a tighter budget this year, and most people are looking for ways to save money. There are many ways to save a few dollars, all of which add up. Even though Christmas is only a few weeks away, you can save a little on your regular budget, as well as grabbing great gift bargains. With some effort, under your tree can look just as full as any other year.
Saving on Your Regular Budget
- Don’t be shy about buying generic
- Instead of ordering delivery pizza, make it yourself
- Post-pone whatever purchases you can, to be given as gifts
- Try and group your trips, to save on gas
- Go through last years winter wardrobe and do any repairs needed, immediately
- Hold off on winter clothing purchases until after Christmas if possible (prices will be lower)
Save on Holiday Gifts
- Take advantage of holiday bonuses on gift card purchases (not only will you get more $ in GC value, the recipient will have more buying power after the holiday)
- Avoid buying the trendy toys and go for classics.
- Make sure to save all your receipts and watch to see if a price goes lower before the holiday, many stores will give you the difference (or you could just re-buy & return the 1st one)
- With kids quantity is often more thrilling than quality. Get a bunch of small inexpensive toys and wrap them separately.
- While shopping the great sales, don’t overlook coupons, there are even manufacturer coupons for toys this time of year.
- Look into making some toys yourself. Consider your skills and then search the web, to see what others have made ( I saw some great dolls, trucks, and play kitchens that were homemade)
Save on Holiday Entertaining
- Stick with traditional holiday foods, they will be on sale
- Consider doing a brunch or hors d’oeuvre party
- Make your party BYOB
- Go with a kitschy retro themed Pot Luck (hint: the more you play up the theme, the less you will look cheap)
- Go with a movie themed party. Guests will automatically assume it is a casual get together, and you can serve fun & inexpensive “movie snacks”, or match your food to the movie. (example: Chinese food for “The Christmas Movie”, because that is what the film’s family ended out eating for their holiday meal)
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