This week, I’m continuing my Ways to Save at Christmas mini-series. In case you were wondering, I’ll be continuing it through the month of December and will hopefully give you some ideas on how to save a little money during this Christmas season.
Since we’ve determined our budgets and determined who we are actually giving to, it’s time to get to the fun part….SHOPPING!
I actually really enjoy Christmas shopping. I enjoy the thrill of the hunt and trying to find that “perfect” gift for the people on my list. The crowds and the chaos can sometimes be stressful, but overall, I love it. I usually get out in the evenings once Kev is home or the kids are in bed so I can take my time and browse a little.
If you are like me and love to shop, it can be easy to get sucked into all the marketing surrounding the Christmas season. My cash envelopes are my link back to reality, but I still like to be strategic to find something nice but within budget. Just because you are on a budget, does not mean you need to skimp on gifts! Here are some ideas I came up with to help you shop a little smarter this Christmas season {and many of these apply all year round too}!
1. Consider buying used.
Let me preface this by saying that I have only given used items as gifts to my own children. Before purchasing used items to give away as gifts, you must be aware of the recipient. Some people do not like the idea of wearing or using something that is pre-owned, so keep that in mind. But since our children are so young, we have no problem checking consignment shops or Craigslist to find some cute gently used toys. We’ve found some great deals on toys that my toddlers will never know were pre-owned. This could also work for more expensive items such as game systems or electronics once your kids are older and the gifts are more pricey. You may not find anything, but it’s worth a try!
2. Follow weekly sales flyers/join the email lists for your favorite stores.
This time of the year, it is a must to check the weekly sales flyers. There are some great deals to be had if you check the flyers and keep an open mind. At the very least, they may have a store coupon you can use towards your non-sale item. I’ve also gotten some notifications of some nice sales through my daily emails. My inbox can tend to fill up quickly because of it, but I think it can be worth it if it helps you find out about a great sale or they send you a special coupon to use. You can always unsubscribe once your shopping is done.
3. Follow a coupon/deals website for hot deals.
Even if you are not a couponer throughout the year, this is the one time you should consider subscribing to a coupon/deals website. They are constantly scouring the internet and ads to find great deals and update their sites constantly. Some of my favorites are: MoneySavingMom, Southern Savers, and The Krazy Coupon Lady. If you are local, check out Richmond Bargains. She includes a lot of Groupon and Living Social deals as well which can also make great gifts! There are tons of others, but just choose one or two and check them often during the Christmas season. You will find great deals on gifts, but also the extra things like Christmas cards and decorations, which can be pricey if you’re not careful.
4. Look on Amazon or eBay.
Who doesn’t love Amazon and eBay? Those sites have become the first places I search when looking to save on gifts. I have found Amazon’s customer service to be stellar. Remember to look early if you are using eBay since many of their items are sold on auction. You can’t wait until the last minute or you might be out of luck.
5. Don’t forget discount retailers such as TJ Maxx/Marshalls/Home Goods/Ross/Big Lots.
When I was doing some shopping a couple of weeks ago, I stopped at TJ Maxx and was reminded of how great discount retailers can be. You may have to do some digging, but it’s nice to have these sorts of stores as an alternative to paying full retail for brand new, brand name items. So fun!
Warning:
Marketing is insane this time of year, so don’t let all the advertising suck you in and cause you to loose your senses! 🙂 Keep your shopping list and cash envelope nearby and even give yourself a little pep talk before you go out if you think it might help {or maybe I’m the only one who needs to do this}. There will be a lot of great deals out there and you may feel a sense of urgency to buy a lot of them, but unless it’s useful for someone you plan to give to or within your own budget, then don’t feel the pressure to buy.
And once you’re done with your Christmas shopping, feel free to retreat from the malls altogether. Enjoy some hot cocoa and Christmas movies in your own home knowing you will bless others with the gifts you purchased and bless your bank account by sticking to your budget!
Do you have any ideas on how to shop smarter this Christmas season? I’d love to hear them!
photo source
