Frugal Holiday Tips: Save on Christmas

By Katina Lewis

The holidays can be a big source of stress for a lot of people. Money is usually a big source of stress. You think of all the presents that you must buy and it could be an extensive list if you know a lot of people or have a lot of family. But money doesn’t have to be a source of stress. Here are some inexpensive Christmas ideas to keep your mind on the important things at the holiday time, your family.

Gifts for Everyone

Each year, you get gifts for everyone. You have your list, then you get to the store and realize the prices aren’t what you thought. Your budget is lower or it could be that you have taken on too many people.

Fight this stressful situation by ordering up a gift exchange for your family. At first, it may seem you are trying to be a holiday scrooge but a gift exchange can be fun.

Each person gets only one or two presents for one or perhaps two people. You can write names on a piece of paper and randomly draw (putting back of course if you happen to get your own name). Along with your name put three or four ideas for a gift. That way everyone can put down what you really want to get. It won’t be something you’ll have to make an exchange for later after the holidays. It will at least lessen that chance.

There are theme gift exchanges, too, such as a gag gift exchange. You still choose a gift to buy for only one person, but this will be a small gag type gift. Imposing a budget, such as less than fifty dollars, will help reduce the amount you and others end up spending.

You can choose whether to include the kids or not. The sooner kids learn about budgets the better really. Including them can show them that the true spirit of the holiday is about giving.

One Gift Fits All

Families can get one present for the whole family. This could be a gift certificate to their favorite shop, restaurant or other fun place. Or, it could mean finally getting that really nice dining room set. Getting one gift for the whole family is a great way to stay within a budget that haslittle room for flexability.

Use Cash

Credit cards, while very handy in an emergency add up in finance charges and fees. After a while you put in more money than it was worth.

Using cash for your expenses can tighten up the budget, but it can save you hundreds even thousands of dollars in extra charges. Save money for the holidays many months in advance. Even twenty dollars every two weeks can add up to a lot in just a few months.

Some Other Tips:

1. If you plan on flying for the holidays, booking a flight ahead of time may save you money. Check with your local airlines to see if they have early bird deals.

2. Stay with friends if traveling. I know, your cousin or in-laws may drive you crazy but it will save you money. Hotel rates fluctuate and around the holidays can be through the roof and beyond. It’s only a couple days right?

3. Grow your own Christmas Trees. I know that it takes many years for an evergreen tree to grow. But if you start now, you’ll save on trees in the upcoming years.

4. Use after-holiday sales to your advantage. After the holidays, many items are left hanging up with no place to go but in your cart. Get out there and get that half off those Christmas lights you are sure you will need next year.

5. Make your own Christmas cards. You don’t need much experience. You can use your computer (or a friend’s) to make them. Search the Internet for templates to use or just use your imagination.

6. Send e-mail Christmas cards. That saves on postage and a trip (and thus gas mileage) to the post office.

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