Every year we always overspend on our Christmas shopping. Whether you lost track of how much dollar amount you spent or just desperately wanted the shopping to be over and just purchased a gift without looking for deals. We all want to save money, but when it comes to the Holidays, budgeting goes out the window. Most years I just pray I get money for Christmas to help recoup what I spent for other presents.
It’s a dangerous time for people, who never bother with budgets. Even people dedicated to their budgets are known to watch it crumble before their eyes, as they overspend yet again on presents for the kids or friends. We want to impress other people with our generosity or you just like to make people happy and get them something they truly want. Whether you’re a monster or a saint, money is still being thrown out the window recklessly.
There are many ways people can save on their Christmas shopping, from finding the good deals or just being strategic about what you’re buying and from where. It all comes down to having the patience to find the right timing and having a plan. If you go in blindly, you’re bound to come back out paying over the budget.
Go For Thoughtful Gifts
A smart approach would be to go for the more thoughtful gift over an expensive option. Sometimes finding a gift that means a lot to someone is worth so much more than an expensive gift.
This has been a rough year, with unemployment and deaths at every corner. That’s why this year we should be more careful not to waste money and aim for getting something with more meaning behind it.
I heard a quote recently, “I thought 2020 would be the year I got everything I want. Now I know 2020 is the year I appreciate everything I have.”
I think this quote pretty much sums up how many people have felt. We had been blessed with extra time to spend inside with our families and friends and were given time to reflect inwards on who we are and learn to appreciate the finer things in life.
Many of us weren’t able to indulge in too many purchases this year and had to learn to work with what we had and learn that buying things don’t make you happy. It’s the experiences and the company that do.
So to sum up this flowery speech, find gifts that are more meaningful and thoughtful than something that costs a lot and would break the bank. Chances are they will come to love it even more.
Black Friday Weekend Sales
If you’ve been waiting for the right time to buy your Christmas gifts, now would be the time. There are countless stores offering greats sales to take advantage of. It’s the perfect time to save money on getting your Christmas shopping list done.
Here is where I shamelessly put my wife’s website link for a reference. She is the best blogger that has so graciously summed up all the best sales going on this weekend, so you don’t have to.
Now go out and take advantage of those sales happening and save some money.
Joint Gifts
If the person you’re shopping for wants or needs something expensive for Christmas, why not consider a joint gift? My sister and I have often gone in together on a bigger gift for our Mom through the years. That way we can give her something she truly wants but maybe couldn’t have afforded it on our own.
There are times that is a great way to get something really good. Like my cousins go in together to get their Dad a really cool experience, like a family trip to a Football game or an expensive date night with the misses.
I would not recommend doing joint gifts in other scenarios though. Sometimes it can just be an easy way out of doing something yourself and just throw some money at another person to do the joint gift. That can often come across as lazy and that you may not care about that person receiving the gift.
I don’t think Santa does joint gifts, and pretty sure the kids will agree with me.
Create A Budget
This is by no means a revolutionary idea, but creating a budget for your holiday shopping is the ultimate way of saving money and spending wisely. Before you jump into buying presents for everyone on your list, try coming up with a budget of how much you can realistically spend on each person. Memorize that number. Write it down or tape it on your credit card. Whatever it takes to remind you that is the number to spend. Nothing more.
It’s so easy to go into a store, even if you have a budget, and find the perfect gift. It’s what they always wanted and it’s just perfect. Period. Maybe it goes over budget, but it’s perfect. Did I mention it’s perfect? Well it’s likely that gift can be found cheaper elsewhere. Have you checked Amazon? There’s a reason Amazon has been pushing other stores out of business. They have great deals and can likely find what you’re looking for at a cheaper price.
Give Everyone Coal
Coal is very cheap and you can just throw it in a bag for each person on your list. Chances are they were on the naughty list anyway. Just Kidding
Take Advantage of Credit Card Rewards
All that swiping you do with your credit card often rewards you with some credit card reward points that accumulate over time. Did you know they can be redeemed for gift cards or other cool gifts? Try taking advantage of this points and seeing what is available for exchange.
Final Thoughts
Christmas shopping is a magical time to find great gifts that bring happiness and unwelcomed debt back into our lives. That’s why it’s so important to be smart about budgeting for your gifts and having a plan of attack where you’re going to buy the gift, when, and with what method? Remember to take advantage of the points you accumulated on your credit cards and take advantage of Black Friday Weekend Sales.
