It’s no secret that people tend to overspend a little bit over the festive season. And, most years, the average American will plan to spend over $600 on gifts. Unless you’ve been putting money aside all year round for the sole purpose of treating your family and friends this Christmas, monitoring your spending and sticking to a budget is a sensible idea. In fact, even if you have money saved up for the purpose of gifts, a good budget and spending plan can help it stretch further. Here are some ideas to help you keep your spending under control this Christmas.
#1. Stick to a Gift Budget:
It can be all too tempting to spend a lot on that special person in your life, like your child, partner or parent – but that might leave you with precious little to get gifts for everybody else. That’s why it’s so important to stick to a gift budget. Look at the amount of money that you have available to spend on gifts and determine how much you would like to spend on each recipient before choosing what to buy for them. Having a budget in mind will help you stay within your limits and afford to get everybody a gift they will love.
#2. DIY:
If you’re on a tight budget this Christmas, then don’t worry – often, carefully thought out, homemade gifts can be even more meaningful and special than the ones you’d buy in the store, and the best part is that they can easily be the best gift you give somebody this year without having to overspend. If you’re a creative kind of person, there are loads of gift ideas you can make on a budget – photo scrapbooks, knitted accessories, paintings, or even home-baked goods are all welcome underneath Christmas trees, and the thought and effort you’ve put into making a unique gift will be more appreciated than any money you’ve spent.
#3. Check Out Outlet Stores:
It’s not uncommon to be handed a Christmas list by a relative or friend with items that are pretty expensive on there. Perfume or cologne, for example, is a common item on Christmas wish lists and makes a lovely gift, but getting a high-quality one with a scent the recipient will love can come at a hefty price. So, before you hit the shops, check out online outlet stores like this beauty outlet where you can find fragrances and much more at a price you’ll love.
#4. Get Discount Codes:
Finally, shopping online for your Christmas gifts is a fantastic idea for many different reasons. You can get all the gifts you need from the comfort of your own home, avoiding going out into the cold and the crowded stores. But Christmas shopping online can also be a great way to save money too. Before you start shopping, it’s worth conducting a quick search for any discount and voucher codes that you can use to get some money off your basket. Look out for newsletter offers, too – some stores will give you a discount just for signing up to updates.
How do you plan to save money on Christmas gifts this year?
I typically do handmade gifts, but wasn’t able to this year, so I’m doing DIY food gift baskets. It should be fun, I’ve been collecting things when I go shopping, a little at a time, when there are sales.
These are great tips. I always try to budget and look for coupon codes/ deals.
I like the DIY idea. I usually manage to stay within my budget
These are all good ideas. I usually diy most of my gifts and usually it is by making and baking lots of food gifts.