I don’t have to tell you Christmas can really add up – you already know that. But it’s also a time of giving and just because it can be expensive is no reason to become Mr. or Mrs. Scrooge. That’s why I love a good bargain anytime of the year, but particularly at Christmas, when my list is at it’s largest.Here are 10 tips I’ve picked up over the years for Christmas shopping on a budget.
10 Christmas Shopping Ideas on a Budget
1.Start early.
For some, it may already be too late – you started months ago! But for the rest of us, a good tip is to pick up potential Christmas gifts all year round. See something that would make a great gift for Bob or Jane on sale in July? Buy it then and you’ll slowly fill your Christmas list with the best deals.
2. Limit gift buying.
What? Like, it’s hard? I know, I know, you don’t want to come off like Scrooge, but hold on a second. Because of our growing family, last year my sisters and I decided to limit how much we would spend on each person. It forces you to be creative to not just find a gift for that person, but the best gift you can within that price set. Similarly, other families pick names out of a hat and are then only responsible to buy a gift for that person.
3, Buy online.
Online purchases not only save you gas money, but time. Companies know this and are offering more incentives to do so. Of course, there are times you need to go to a store to find the right size, color or see what a gift looks like in person. Just try to condense all your “window-shopping” into one trip to save even more money. Also, many companies offer free samples for buying online, Sephora being my favorite. With every purchase you get three free samples, not including deluxe samples for racking up points with them.Buying online leads me to my next tip.
4. Never pay for shipping.
On a typical day, Joann-Fabrics charges $9.99 to ship your purchase, so in that case – unless the store was three hours away – it probably wouldn’t make sense to purchase online. That’s why you have to wait until they offer free shipping – which they do. I rarely rarely rarely pay for shipping knowing this tip. Some stores wait a little longer in between their FREESHIP deals but don’t fear…it’s coming! Sign up for their emails to be the first to hear when it’s a free ship day.
5. Never (or rarely!) pay full price.
If you watch your favorite stores enough online, you’ll find that just about everything comes on sale eventually…and then the price jumps up again. So if there is an item you really want, just be patient, that 10, 20 or even 30% offer is bound to show up soon. Also utilize Retail Me Not and similar sites to find deals not offered on the site.
TIP: Download the Retail Me Not app and it will automatically show you the day’s coupons not only for online, but each store you walk into as well!
- Compare prices.Yesterday I was looking for a Christmas gift for some kiddos. The exact same toy that was $30 at Michael’s was $20 at Target and $14.99 on Amazon. That’s not to say Amazon always has the cheapest price but to do your due diligence. And getting the best price means you have more money left-over to buy that person a little some extra!
- Don’t buy, DIY– scarves, bath bombs (click to learn how to make Lush bath bombs!) jewelry, paintings, even baked goods. I can’t tell you how many scarves I’ve knitted, but they are pretty simple (once you get the concept down) and can be just as beautiful as the ones you buy in the store, especially if you use wool. Although quality yarn is expensive, which is why you have to follow tip #5!
- Buy in bulk.Sometimes stores offer discounts when you buy more than one. I’ve sure you’ve seen signs for BOGO, right? Not only buy one get one half off (or free) but sometimes you can even get a better discount the more of that item you buy.
- Use your Cashback bonus money to purchase gifts.Instead of spending that $10 every time it appears in your cashback bonus from your credit card, save it up all year and use that money to purchase your Christmas gifts! Awesome!
- Provide your time or service instead. Many of you are far more talented that I am and can provide a service or product as Christmas gifts. So use those talents! If you cut hair, offer to give them their next one. If you take photos…offer to snap their next family portraits. Even if you don’t feel you’re that creative, there is likely another service you can provide like taking someone without a car on errands, or helping them paint a room in their home. Double points if their Love Language is Acts of Service!
So how will you save money this Christmas?
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Great tips! I’m so bad about waiting until after Thanksgiving to start my Christmas shopping. Next year i’m going to start buying when I see things I think loved ones would like. My brother, sister in law and I have decided to only buy for the kids for Christmas, so that really helps, too! I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Yah as our family grows we limit our spending to either $20 or $30 for the adults. It helps cut down on costs and we can pick out something small but special!
Last several years we have started all making our gifts. I am amazed at how wonderful these gifts are and plus very personalized. Even the little kids with help of their parents make some great gifts. Greatest gift is just being together.
Agreed Candy! Enjoying each other’s company is truly the best gift 🙂
Thank you for this. This year around I’m definitely looking at DIY-ing many of the gifts this year. Every year Christmas becomes more and more expensive.
It really does, so we need to keep coming up with new ways to save money.
LOVE all the retailers offering free shipping (Target). I totally bought a ton of toys online this weekend for my kids and niece/nephew and didn’t pay a dime to ship! These are awesome tips!
free shipping is the best!
Great tips! I started buying for my daughter a couple of months ago but I’ve procrastinated on everyone else. Here’s hoping for some good deals this weekend!
Such good idea. I agree, don’t pay for shipping and rarely pay full price. Using your cashback for gifts is such a good idea too!
I always buy early, limit gifts and I agree to never pay for shipping!! A bunch of these I never thought of though… so thanks for sharing!!
Great great ideas. The one I really need is starting early. I’m the worst for that 🙂
Yah with so much else going on in life it can definitely be difficult, but so worth it!
great tips… and this girl def needs to save a buck!! so true about shipping… sometimes I look online to see if it’s cheaper… but shipping always balances it out.
Sometimes I am blown away by how much shipping costs which is why I pounce on free days!
What a timely advice! Thanks
Lovely tips Sarah and they’ll definitely make a difference in the long run. Thank you for sharing them. Something my mom taught us was to put all our change in a bottle throughout the year. You’ll be surprised how much money you actually have at the end of the year 😉
That’s an awesome tip Michelle! Will teach my kids that too one day 🙂
This is helpful! I have to buy small gifts since I’m living abroad and will have to mail my gifts over to the US. Thank you!
Oooh I love that though -small but meaningful I’m sure!
Awesome tips! I definitely agree that you shouldn’t ever pay shipping fees, as you can almost always find a free shipping deal or discount. I always try to shop earlier in the year when things are on sale or clearance to save money. 🙂
Amen Cara. Sales and clearance are the best!
Great tips! I need to get on shopping asap! I kind of feeling like skipping gift giving this year lol
Rachel | The Confused Millennial
Hey – might be a good experiment to really focus on what matters and then see where you are next year!
Love these suggestions and this Christmas I am needed to stretch our dollars big time:) I love the idea of making our own gifts too.
I am all about limiting gifts! Lots of times, I feel a lot of pressure to spend lots of money on lots of gifts. But really, the gifts aren’t important. It’s the spirit of the season that is what matters!
Sure is 🙂 We can put too much pressure on ourselves to find the perfect gift/spend too much.
Sounds bad but, I start my Christmas shopping for the next year around the end of December. I pretty much know what my kids’ size will be the next year and what their likes and dislikes are plus, a great time to get the wrapping LOL. With three kids and being the sole parent and only income coming in is my own I find deals and grab them when I can 🙂
Michelle – that’s not bad – that’s awesome!! I need to start that early haha
Great tips! I need to be better about comparing prices. I usually got for what’s right in front of me at the time because it is less hassle. But after seeing the price difference that you saw for the same product, I’m definitely going to do that!
Great tips…getting on top of it early is definitely key!
I definitely agree with not paying for shipping! There are ALWAYS free shipping codes if you search for them! Thanks!
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Starting early has always been my downfall! I intend to do it but never do!
I love these tips! My husband has a huge family, but thankfully they do a gift exchange so you don’t go broke trying to buy gifts for everyone. I’m also trying my hand at some crafty things so I can DIY some gifts. 🙂
I love adding one or two DIY’s into the mix 🙂
These are great tips ! Thanks for sharing
Great tips. My husband and daughter are amazing when it comes to finding good deals.
Ooh nice to have a deal finding husband! My Husband is great at haggling 🙂
Awesome tips! I’ve been doing a lot of these this year to save money and stress!
Great post! It certainly does add up when your family is growing. I will have to try some of these this year!
Yaay! Awesome post filled with amazing tips! I am all about shopping early and beating the crowds. 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
Amen to beating the crowds! No thank you 🙂
These are all great tips, and great reminders that every gift for Christmas doesn’t have to be a physical gift!
These are such great ideas! I’m probably going to do a majority of my shopping online. I really need to avoid those shipping costs!
Hopefully you took advantage of Cyber Monday today!
Yay! Perfect tips for stretching my dollar. Perfect post especially for this season. Super rewarding to save and be a good steward!
I am all about saving money during the holidays, between the gifts, food, and travel, the holidays can be pretty pricey. I never buy anything full price or pay for shipping.
These are great tips! I love your “Don’t buy, DIY” tip — that’s my mantra this year. Thank you so much!
These are great tips for our most expensive season! I need to check out Retail Me Not for sure!
It continues to shock me that people by full price anymore. Besides day to day stuff I probably buy like 90% of things online including gifts. You can save so much. I am in my friend’s wedding in March the dress she picked out for us $159… I did a little hunting and bought it online for $85
Great find! I am shocked that people pay full price too. I think it comes down to laziness/don’t need to save the money/ or don’t have time to shop around (busy moms!)
Great budgeting ideas babe! I will need to keep these tips in mind as I do my Christmas shopping. Thanks for sharing! xo, sharon
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