Frugal Friday 33: Saving Money on Christmas

I am posting the Frugal Friday article tonight, as promised on The Cooper Lawrence Show. 

For many, Christmas is a favorite time of the year.  Unfortunately, many times it can be the most stressful.  Here are 30 ways to help you save time and money, and avoid unnecessary stress. 

Gift Giving and Shopping Tips: 

1.  Let friends and family know things you’re shopping for.  When I do this, other people let me know when they spot a good deal on something I need.

2.  Be specific in your requests.  If someone asks what to get your child, try to be as specific as possible.  Tell them the exact name of the toy or their specific pants size.

3.  Ask friends and family what they want.  Hopefully, this will avoid countless hours shopping, racking your brain, wasted gas, extra unwanted products in the environment, and the hassle of returns. 

4.  Try gift cards.  Some people may think this is inappropriate, but I think it’s a great solution.  Gift cards save time, wrapping paper, shipping expenses, and help avoid unwanted gifts.  Let the person buy what they want.

5.  Save your receipts.  Get an envelope for your purse or have a special file folder in your filing cabinet.  You never know when you’ll have bought the wrong size or something that didn’t work. 

6.  See if your store offers a gift receipt.  I think it’s nice when someone includes a gift receipt in the box.  This avoids the uncomfortable situation of asking where they bought it or if they still have the receipt.  I’ll admit that many times I’ve been left with things I couldn’t use or return.  Gift receipts are great!

7.  Consider drawing names with co-workers or family.  We did this with my husband’s family for several years.  To make it more fun, we kept the names we drew a secret and were surprised when we exchanged gifts.

8.  Buy just for the children.  This is becoming a common practice in our families.  We buy for our parents and the children.  This has really cut down on spending and getting unusable gifts.

9.  Consider playing a game instead.  Try a white elephant or dirty Santa game.  Some games involve bringing a nice gift or a funny joke-style gift.  It’s funny to see other’s reactions when they get the gift you brought and it’s interesting to see the things others chose.

10.  Consider regifting.  I regifted some children’s toys for the shoeboxes we did for Samaritan’s Purse.  Here are some regifting tips.

11.  Be realistic.  Much of people’s Christmas shopping is for themselves.  And no one can blame you since there are so many good deals out there.  It’s important to realize that since you’ll be shopping, you’ll probably be picking up some things for yourself.  Budget those things in.

12.  Make a budget of what you really can afford and stick to it.  NO CHARGING!!!!  If you can only afford $20 per gift, then find a creative way to make those dollars stretch.

13.  Take the plastic out of your wallet.  Go ahead.  Do it now!  You don’t need a debt hangover come January when the bills come in.

14.  Make a list for each person.  Once you have your list and the grand total you can spend from your budget, you need to put a dollar amount next to each person’s name.  If the numbers don’t add up, you may have to drop some people off your list or reduce the dollar amount by each name—including yours—until it fits within your intended budget.   Take your list with you when you shop.  Use it when you make a purchase.  If you overspend on someone, you’ll have to make cutbacks somewhere else.

15.  Try homemade gifts.  (Don’t roll your eyes at me. lol)  There are some nice homemade gift ideas out there.  Martha Stewart and Better Homes and Gardens have some nice gift ideas that you can do yourself.

16.  Give baked goodies.  My mom is well-known for her homemade yeast rolls.  Is there something you’re good at making?  Make a big batch and use those for gifts.  You could find some nice tins or coffee mugs to put your goodies in.  My friend Revka has a recipe for homemade hot chocolate mix.  You could make that and put it in a nice jar with some pretty material and/or ribbon.  It’s very inexpensive to make.  If you’re stressed about time, then try making peanut brittle.  It can be made weeks in advance.

17.  Take a look at Sam’s Club, Costco, or other warehouse stores.  At Christmas time, they usually carry imported chocolates, food gift sets, bath products, toys, and other items at less expensive prices.

18.  Keep a gift closet or specific place for gifts.  This avoids you forgetting where you put things after you bought them.  (There is a certain person in my family that forgets where she puts gifts.  Sometimes I’ll get things out of the blue for no reason because she found them.  lol)

19.  Keep a few extra things in the gift closet.  These can be things that you bought on sale or clearance.  You never know when you’re going to need a last minute gift.  Of course, you should try to match the gift with the person so that you’re not just giving them something they can’t use.

20.  Check your local Good Will or other thrift store.  I have been into Good Will several times and found new items that are still in the packaging.  Many of them are overstock items that other stores donated.

21.  Know the person you’re shopping for.  When we would draw names at work, I would pay attention to the person’s dressing habits, type of jewelry they wore, and food they ate.  I would also ask someone that worked closely with them for some tips.  You want to buy a gift that the person will enjoy.

22.  Don’t wait until the last minute.  Don’t wait until December 23rd to do your shopping.  By then, things are picked over and you may end up buying something that you really didn’t want.

23.  It is not your job to keep up with the Jones’.  Happiness comes from being thankful and content with what you already have, not with how many possessions and gadgets you can accumulate.

24.  If you’re shipping your gifts, give them plenty of time to arrive.  You should ship them two weeks before Christmas.

25.  Check the dollar store for wrapping supplies.  Our Dollar Tree has Princess, Dora, and other famous character wrapping paper.

26.  Be sure you’re shopping on a secure site.

Decorations:

27.  Check the dollar store for decorations.  I have actually found Hallmark ornaments for $1.  They were from the previous year, but they’re still nice ornaments.

28.  Consider using an artificial tree.  Over time, this will save you money and will also avoid killing trees. 

29.  Put your lights on a timer.  You can probably pick up a timer for $10 or less.  Set your lights to go off and on at desired times. 

30.  Shop after Christmas for lights, decorations, ornaments, gift wrap, and other items.  I never pay full retail for decorations or gift wrap.  I wait until it’s 50-75% off and purchase what I need for the following year.

Top 10 Regifting Tips for the Thrifty

Do you have any tips to add to this list?