Black Friday is coming, and the deals have started!
The Christmas Bells are ringing.
Are you ready?
Here’s the question, how will you pay for your gift giving this Christmas?
Have you budgeted a certain amount? Or stashed away money all year?
If you’re like me, you have done nothing to prepare for the gift giving season and now it’s time to scramble. Money always seems to be tight this time of year.
Finding ways to pull off another Christmas miracle for the kids, who still believe in Santa, is looming. The pressure and anxiety are building with every passing day.
Here are some ideas for Christmas gifts on a shoestring budget:
Re-Gifting – Give what you Got
A couple years ago, I gave a friend a birthday present in November. It was a box full of cute and fun items. For Christmas, that friend re-wrapped each item and gifted it back to me and said she didn’t want it.
This is the WRONG way to regift. Don’t do this.
Regifting an item isn’t tacky or awkward if it’s done the right way. Some great items to regift are candles, gift cards, fragrances, and wine.
Throughout the year, I try to pick up non-personal items on clearance when I’m out shopping. Then I have a bunch of last minute gifts ready to give for birthday and Christmas parties.
Homemade Gifts – Make it on a Dime
Homemade gifts can be extra special because it is made with love. It’s like wrapping a chunk of your time up with a bow.
One Christmas, my sister gave me a handmade rice bag warmer infused with essential oils. It was the best gift and I thank her every winter for making it.
There are hundreds of crafts that you can make such as body scrubs, bath bombs, mason jar gifts, snack gift boxes, cookies in a tin, family picture in a frame, or a hand crochet blanket.
Grab the supplies, make 20 each, wrap in cellophane, and tie on a curly ribbon with a cute tag.
Plan a Trip – Avoidance
The best way to avoid a gift exchange is to not be in town.
Use your Christmas funds to enjoy a vacation with the family instead.
Time together makes more memories than getting (or giving) an unwanted ugly sweater.
Seasonal Job – The Christmas Grind
Sometimes you can’t get around shopping, you might have to buy some of your gifts.
Pick up a part-time job at stores hiring seasonal help for the holidays such as Target, Kohl’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Macy’s, American Eagle, Gap Inc., and Dollar Tree.
If you have some extra time on nights and weekends, you can make enough to cover your Christmas spending.
An additional perk is that these stores offer an employee discount that you can stack on top of any sales or discounts.
Don’t get caught up in the holiday sales hype.
The news reports and media make you feel like you can’t miss that epic deal on electronics or the Flash sale for sporting goods.
The deals and sales will always be there, waiting for your money.
Remember that Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus. We should focus on spending time, not money, with our loved ones.
