Christmas is around the corner, less than 70 days away. It’s the most wonderful time of the year. I love decorating my house and having family over. Spending time with family also brings, good food to eat. I love me some desserts. The holidays can bring some stress for people if you didn’t budget throughout the year. Also, it so easy to go crazy spending money during the holidays. But if you create a holiday spending plan it will ease the stress and stay on budget.
I feel like Christmas has become so commercialized it can make you want to spend more than you have. I want you to stay away from the credit card debt and have a plan for your holiday shopping. I want you to enjoy the holidays with your family without stressing about how I am going to pay this bill.
Here are 4 tips and gifts ideas to help you with your Holiday shopping
Make a list Decide who you are shopping for. If you have a large family, maybe you should do Secret Santa. If you do Secret Santa, allocate amount you will spend on the gift. Have everyone to list some ideas they would like. It will make your shopping easier.
Then make a list of ideas what to give the person. It doesn’t hurt to ask what a person wants or needs. You don’t know unless you ask. You don’t want to buy the same item someone else did.
Make a budget- Allocate amount of money you are spending on each person. Make sure you stick to that amount. Don’t feel guilty if you find a great item for cheap or on sale. It’s not about how much you spend but the thought you put into it.
Research– Start shopping early to get and don’t spend more because you waited until the last minute. Check different websites for great deals. If shopping online makes sure you sign up for Rakuten to get cashback.
Black Friday/Cyber Monday- If you decide to wait for the biggest shopping weekend. Have a plan. It so easy to compare prices on different sites. Just stay focus on your list. Sometimes I can go crazy buying for myself. Ask yourself, do I really need this, and does this purchase align with my money goals. Shop Online so you don’t have to deal with the craziness at the stores.
Gift giving can be hard. You want the person to appreciate it and use the item you are gifting. Every person is different. I would appreciate some laundry detergent or toilet paper. You know I will use it. But if you don’t want to give household items below are are some ideas for Christmas gifts.
Ideas for Gifts
Let’s get away from giving gift cards. Especially the way stores are closing. That money might not be available. Still don’t know why we stop giving out cash. Cash is good for me. I don’t like bounded to have all that money going to that one store. Especially the stores don’t give you back money back from the gift card.
Gift an experience-Also think of an experience you want to do with your loved one. I rather spend quality time with a family member then to buy a gift. Especially kids they have so much toys and they don’t play with all their stuff. You can go watch the Nutcracker, go get some ice cream, watch a movie or go see a play. Check out Groupon for some deals. If you can afford it, take a family vacation or take a weekend trip. Also you can contribute money toward after school activities for the kids, such as dance class or karate class.
Gift a Service– Offer a service in need- Like babysitting or walking a dog. Laundry services. Parents would appreciate the help and time off.
Creative Gifts -You can even make your own gifts also. Are you good at making pies, cakes, cupcakes or cookies? There so many ideas on Pinterest. It a great way to save money and it is coming from the heart. For Grandparents, you can send them a photo calendar or photo on a mug, show pictures that you took through the year.
Some other ideas to give as a Christmas Gifts: Books or audible download, pay to get their hair done or a class that will enrich them, pay for trainer or working with a nutritionist. Think outside the box.
Share your holiday tips with us. What gifts do you buy that everyone love?
