We’ve covered all sorts of ways to save big time on holiday goodies and celebrations here at Thrifty Mommy – here are six new bonus holiday saving tips…

Don’t waste money on gifts you can’t send – the post office will have a heart attack if you try and send gifts like perfume or items with batteries (both are considered hazardous materials). Don’t even bother.
Get one gift in bulk and go nuts – wine retailers, for example and other retailers who specialize in one item only (say chocolate truffles or poinsettia plants) will give you a nice friendly discount if you …read more

For holiday gift giving, kids sometimes need a little push. I’m not a fan of giving gifts galore, but that’s mainly because I’m interested in more meaningful and less expensive holidays. That said, I also think it’s smart to include your child in what gift giving you do participate in, because kids tend to get, get, get during the holidays, so a little giving can go a long way at forming their mindset about the holidays. Also, this creates a good opportunity to discuss money and budgeting issues.

How to pull it off:
Give each child a set budget for gifts. I …read more

Many families end up celebrating Christmas all year round due to major bills built up during the season. Christmas may be one day a year, but families spend so much it becomes an all year hassle. This year vow to do things differently.

PLAN AHEAD: Think about how you want your Christmas to look. Do you want piles of gifts of maybe a little more celebrating by planning family activities and making more meaningful memories. To get some ideas about how to have a less commercial, more meaningful Christmas read the following:
I’m Dreaming of a Green Christmas: Gifts, Decorations, and Recipes …read more

There’s no time like the present to start saving money on shipping costs for holiday gifts. I know it’s early, but planning and getting started ahead of time is one way to save.

As we all know shipping costs can be substantial if you wait until the last minute. Choose gifts now, plan on shipping before the holiday rush and save.
Look for free shipping. It’s lame to pay for shipping when so many online shops offer free shipping. Plenty of places regularly ship for free and many hold special holiday shipping deals.
Ship to one place when possible. If most of your …read more

While I’m sure mentioning this topic is going to bring some eye rolls and heavy sighs, we can’t deny that Christmas will be here soon.  So rather than avoiding the issue, let’s take it on and discuss some ways to plan and stay out of debt.  As Dave Ramsey says, “Children do what feels good.  Adults make a plan and follow it.”  I propose that we make a plan to stay out of debt this Christmas.

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, …read more

Earlier this week, I posted about some ways to cut out some of your Christmas expenses.  One of the ways listed was to cut down your Christmas gift list.  It’s simply not necessary to buy for every aunt, uncle, and cousin.  That’s not what Christmas is about anyway. 

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 …read more

Christmas is only three months away.  You may be thinking, ‘Please don’t say it! Don’t bring up that topic. I’m not ready yet!’.  We can’t shoo away the fact that Christmas will be here before we know it, but we can prepare.  For many, money is tight this year and alternative plans need to be made.  Here are some ways to cut back on your spending this year.

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 …read more

As many of you know, our family has been through a big transition lately.  We have moved to a new location and our house hasn’t sold.  My husband also started a new job and did not receive his first paycheck until this past week.
I was determined not to go into debt for Christmas.  And how does one do this?  I shop throughout the year and buy things on clearance for my kids.  I use the items for their birthdays, Christmas, Easter, or as special treats. 
My kids had plenty to open this year.  Take a look at some of my bargains.  (In …read more

Right now stores are trying to get rid of their abundance of Christmas decorations, gift wrap, gift items, and more.  If you can spare the money, now is a great time to stock up.  Why pay $3.99 for the Princess wrapping paper when you can get it for $1?
This year, I didn’t need a whole lot of things, but I picked up some kid wrapping paper, scotch tape refills, and some gift items.  Last night at Wal-Mart I saw some shatterproof bulbs, which would be perfect for making these adorable keepsake snowmen ornaments.
Some of the stores where I’ve seen great …read more

Each year I spend hours and hours decorating the Christmas tree, buying and wrapping presents, and getting Christmas cards made.  I get the kids dressed up and have hubby take pictures of them in front of the tree so that I can take the photo to Sam’s to have cards made.
I used to buy presents for ALL of the family members.  This included all of the aunts, uncles, cousins, second cousins, etc.  Over the past few years, I have cut back quite a bit and only buy for the immediate family and the children in the extended family.  This year …read more