Wear cheery colors - Although you probably won’t see me in a Christmas sweater, you’ll likely see me wearing a bright red sweater.  Many of us have something red or green in our closets.

Jazz it up a little - Add some festive tights or a fun scarf to a plain outfit.

Wear some colorful jewelry - Shop discount stores for jewelry or make your own.

Don’t rule out the “cheap” stores - Target has some really cute clothing and fairly inexpensive prices.  Also try stores such as Marshalls, Ross, and T.J. Maxx.

Shop for used clothing and accessories - Last year’s holiday decorations, clothing, and accessories many times end up in yard sales.  People don’t want to bother with them or they grow tired of what they have.  This is a great opportunity for you to end of with a few treasures.

What ways do you save money on your Christmas outfits?

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Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Here’s an example of how I have used the “buy ahead principle” for purchasing my daughter’s Christmas gifts.

• bath robe – regularly $20, after Christmas sale in Feb for $5
• two-wheel scooter – regularly $17, Black Friday sale for $5
• Hanna Montana doll set – regularly $28-32?, after Christmas sale in Feb for $7-8
• guitar purse – regularly $8-9, clearance for $2-3
• Barbie Advent calendar – regularly $20, after Christmas sale for $5
• Pet Shop bubble bath – regularly $10, clearance for $2.50
• High School Musical umbrella – regularly $8, clearance for $2
• Pet Shop electronic game – regularly $13, clerance for $3.24

This is approximately $125 in gifts for the bargain price of about $35.  My daughter will have a nice selection of toys under the tree this year, and all things that she likes.

Those of you with older children may find buying ahead more difficult, however, it is not impossible.  Try picking up just a few things that you’ll know they’ll like, even if it’s just stocking stuffers or dvds.  Every little bit saved helps.

Did you shop all year for Christmas?

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Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Look for pre-Christmas 50% off sales - Craft stores such as Michael’s, AC Moore, and Hobby Lobby frequently have select merchandise 50% off before the actual holiday.  The sales change each week, so be sure to keep a watchful eye on sales papers or better yet, sign up for their emails.

Use coupons - Some stores have online printable coupons or coupons in the Sunday paper.  Again, it’s important to sign up for emails from stores.  This is usually where you’ll score the good printables.  Also, check coupons.com.  A few weeks ago, I was able to get a $5 coupon off Mr. Potato Head.  Using the coupon, I only paid $.99 for the toy.

Shop after Christmas sales - This tip isn’t going to help you now, but it’s a great money saving tip.  Each year, I try to put aside a little bit of money so that I can add to my collection.  Some years I buy things for my village and other years I purchase things for my tree.  Now that we have our own home, I’d like to buy a few things for the yard.

Look on Craigslist and Freecycle - Sign up for email alerts for Craiglist and Freecycle postings in your area.  Many times during the holidays, people use time off from work to sort through things and get rid of things they don’t need.  You can also post a wanted ad.

Make your own - There are so many cute ideas out there for making your own decorations.  Martha Stewart and Better Homes & Gardens always have such great suggestions.  There are many other sites out there as well.

Look at dollar stores - Over the years, I have found some nice ornaments and decorations (including Hallmark ornaments) in Dollar Tree.  Things can sometimes be a bit junkier than in times past, but occasionally you can still find some treasures in there.

Put it on your Christmas wish list - When your family and friends ask what you want for Christmas, be sure to tell them some Christmas decorations.  You might want to be specific though, so that you don’t end up with something hideous.

Be content - Realize that it’s not reasonable to have everything at one time.  It takes years to accumulate the things you want.  Be happy with what you have, try not to covet other people’s things, and have a simple and happy time.

What tips do you have for saving money on Christmas decorations?

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Post from: Thrifty Mommy

When I was growing up, my mom’s friend would bring over a platter of homemade treats at Christmas.  I fondly remember the lemon bars and gooey chocolate bars.  She only spent money on ingredients for the sweets, but her time and delicious gift were well appreciated.

Here are a list of ideas to use as family gifts:

• dvds
• board games
• movie passes
• homemade goodies
• gift certificate to a favorite restaurant or ice cream shop
• tickets to a show, zoo, museum, etc.
• theme basket such as snack items or ice cream toppings

This year, I went shopping on Black Friday and found some great dvds and board games at fantastic prices and I thought these would make nice family gifts.  This money saving idea would would work for extended family too.  You might want to check with the person first to make sure this idea is ok with them.  Don’t wait until the last minute though because they may have already purchased gifts for your family and you don’t want to cause hard feelings.

Do you have any ideas for family gifts?

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Build-A-Bear Workshop – CyBear Monday Savings (online only)
select 5 animals will be $5 each
limit 5 $5 animals per person
Plus, free shipping on orders of $35 or more. Enter code 94620 at checkout.

Kmart
6 qt stainless steel roaster with porcelain cookwell $29.99 (reg $54.99)
extra 10% off diamond jewelry already 70% off
50% off 20 pc gold or platinum banded dinnerware set, $14.99 sale
free standard shipping on orders of $29 or more
Other online specials available.

Family Christian Stores
Take an additional $5 off any purchase of $50 or more with promotional code 1268629.
The Flow Show Creates a Buzz dvd $5 (reg $14.99)
The One Minute Collection $7.49 (reg $14.99)
The Bible Experience – audio $81.24 (reg $124.99)
Believe cd from 33 Miles $6.97 (reg $9.99)
Abe and the Amazing Promise from VeggieTales $5 (reg $14.99)
God’s Green Earth dvd $5 (reg $9.99)
More Cyber Monday sales available at FamilyChristian.com.
Also $.99 shipping available.

Kohls
Take an extra 15% off everything. Enter code CYBER15 at checkout. OR
Spend $75, take an extra 15% off plus free shipping. Enter code CYBER15. OR
Spend $100, take 20% off, plus free shipping. Enter code CYBER20 at checkout.
Other sales available.

Have you found any other great Cyber Monday sales?

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Post from: Thrifty Mommy

For the kids:

• Thankful tree
• Thanksgiving coloring pages
• Thanksgiving place mat
• Planning Thanksgiving for the Kids
• Thanksgiving turkey banner craft
• Thanksgiving Children’s Activities
• Thanksgiving Party Games and Activities for Kids
• Thanksgiving word scramble
• Fall and Thanksgiving songs
• Thanksgiving place mat Craft for Kids
• Thankful pumpkins
• Rustic vests
• Pumpkin song
• Thanksgiving baby bibs

Decorating and Entertaining:

• Thanksgiving scripture place cards
• Pumpkin Serving Dishes
• Tips for Hosting Thanksgiving Dinner
• 5 Ways to Save Money on Entertaining
• Easy Gourd and Candle Fall Centerpieces
• Fall Party Centerpiece Ideas with Gourds
• Apple Decorating Ideas for Fall Parties

Recipes and Food Ideas:

• Thanksgiving brunch ideas
• A Dairy Free Thanksgiving: Pumpkin Bisque
• Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes from Cooking Light
• 35 Holiday Recipes
• Pumpkin Cheesecake (with photos)
• Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes
• Sweet Potato Casserole
• Apple Cake Recipe
• Mini Pecan Pumpkin Pies
• 6 Ways to Cook Your Thanksgiving Turkey
• Thanksgiving Turkey: Easy Prep, Easy Serve
• Thanksgiving Recipes Cookbook Download

Other:

• How to Save Money on Thanksgiving Dinner
• Avoid Food-Related Illness on Thanksgiving

Which ideas do you think you’ll try?

image (c) Linette Gerlach

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Prepare the foods yourself.  Don’t go out to the ham store and order a precooked ham or turkey.  I’ve heard of some people paying $30-40 for a precooked ham.  Yikes!

Shop the pre-Thanksgiving sales.  Some stores offer tremendous weekly specials to lure you in.  Look for buy 1 get 1 free specials on vegetables, potatoes, stuffing, and frozen pies.  When the turkey and sweet potatoes hit rock bottom prices, go ahead and buy those too.  Make sure you freeze the turkey and follow these safety tips to avoid food-related illness.

Ask others to contribute. Cooking Thanksgiving dinner by yourself is a big undertaking and it’s costly too.  Most people will ask what they can bring.  I recommend suggesting something easy like a pie and green bean casserole.  If you can’t think of anything at the moment, tell them you’ll get back to them in a few days.  If the person doesn’t offer to bring anything, you can say, “Is there a special dish you like that you’d like to bring?”. 

Borrow or use natural decorations.  Avoid spending money or new decorations.  See if someone has something you can borrow.  If not, go outside and gather pretty fall colored leaves, pinecones, acorns, etc.  If you’re looking to save money on new decorations, try stores like Michael’s and A.C. Moore.  Many of them offer 50% off sales before the holiday.  Sometimes The Dollar Tree has some good finds.

You might also want to read Tips for Hosting Thanksgiving Dinner.

What ways can you save on Thanksgiving dinner?

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1)  Audit your spending.  See if there is anything that you’re willing to cut out.  I’m thinking things like lunch out with coworkers, movie rentals, coffee stops, etc.  Or you could find ways to save on everyday purchases such as groceries.  Decide on how much spending you can eliminate.  Put that money aside into a savings account.

2)  Set a budget and stick to it.  Make a list of everyone you would like to shop for and decide on a dollar amount for gifts.  If necessary, you might have to eliminate a few relatives and friends that you don’t talk to much.  Due to the current economy, I think people are going to be more understanding this year.  That’s just my thought.

3)  Shop smart.  Look for clearance sales, coupon codes, and other ways to spend less.  Consider making homemade gifts.  Shop at discounted stores such as Marshalls, Ross, and T-Maxx.  There are many ways to save.

Other helpful tips:

• How to Cut Down Your Christmas Gift List
• Cutting Back on Your Christmas Expenses
• Plan for Your Holiday Budget Now!

Have you planned for Christmas?

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Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Tiffany from Stuff Parents Need commented with a great question.

Do you have any tips for how to tactfully remove people from your list? We have a few aunts and uncles that I’d like to stop buying presents for, not because I don’t love them, but because I think us continuing to exchange presents is really unnecessary at this point. But I don’t know how to stop because they always get us something, too!

I just went through this issue a few year’s ago, so here are some tips to make it through the Christmas list cuts.

1)  Suggest a gift exchange.  You could say something like, “I know that many of our budgets are tighter this year.  Rather than us spending money that we don’t have, could we have a gift exchange?”  Suggest making a want list for each person and drawing names.

2)  Suggest a gift game.  Some of you may have heard of Dirty Santa.  This is where you decide who goes first.  That person picks a gift. Then the next person picks a gift. They can keep their gift or take another person’s gift.  A gift can only be taken twice. 

3)  Make a charitable donation instead of gift giving.  Tell your family that everyone is so blessed and you think it would be great to give to a needy child or charity instead.  Perhaps everyone could go in together and purchase some goats, chickens, or something similar through World Vision for an impoverished country.

4)  If you still feel like you can’t completely cut someone out of your Christmas list, cut on the amount you spend.  Purchase each person a gift that costs $3-5 rather than a $10-15 gift.  These could be homemade gifts or something simple like a mug or basket with candy.  I’d certainly be happy if someone gave me a mug of Dove or Ghiradelli chocolates.  It wouldn’t matter if it only cost a few dollars.  

What do you think of these ideas?  Will you be cutting back this year?

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Post from: Thrifty Mommy

1) If you have young children, consider purchasing used toys and clothes for them or having a toy and clothing swap with friends.  Young children don’t know if the item is new or used.  They’re just excited to see a different toy.

2)  Cut out some names on your list.  This may sound horrible to some, but you don’t need to buy for every aunt, uncle, and cousin.  I started practicing this tip a few years ago.  Even though I was thrifty with my shopping, things were getting out of hand and the list needed to be shortened.

3)  Host a party.  Have a party for your friends and decide on something inexpensive to exchange such baked goods, ornaments, or a gag gift.  Have everyone bring one item and then play a game to exchange.  If you’re having a baked goods exchange, then provide bags or boxes for take home food.

4)  Give homemade gifts.  You’ve heard this tip for years and perhaps you think it can’t be done.  Actually, there are so many nice handmade gift ideas out there now.  From soap, candles, purses, cookies in a jar, hot cocoa mix, and more . . . you can find something to make.

Stay tuned to Thrifty Mommy.  During the upcoming months, we hope to share some inexpensive gift ideas.

What ways do you plan to cut back on your Christmas spending?

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