Try as we might to control our spending around the holiday season, Christmas always seems to cost quite a bit at my home. Between shopping for ingredients for Christmas dinner, adding new decor pieces to my holiday collection, and taking advantage of seasonal activities with my family, it doesn’t take long before my bank account starts to feel the impact – and that’s not including all of the Christmas presents I need to shop for.
Buying the perfect present for everyone on your holiday shopping list without spending a ton of cash isn’t easy, but it is possible. Here are some tips and tricks to help you shop for Christmas presents on a budget:
Make Your List!
If you’re aiming to stick to a budget while you Christmas shop, you should absolutely write it down. Determine how much you’re able to spend and who you need to shop for. From there, you can figure out how much you can afford to spend on each person’s gift.
Stay Focused.
Once you make your list, you’ve got to stick to it! It can be tempting to pick up extra odds and ends while you’re out shopping, especially if you find something that would make the perfect present for someone you know. However, if you’re trying to follow a budget, it’s important to stick to the plan you put in place before you walked into the store.
Start Early.
The Christmas season is so busy; it’s easy to put off shopping for presents until Christmas Eve is nearly upon us! Don’t wait until the last minute to pick up presents for friends and family unless you really want to pay full price for your gift. Instead, start looking for items on your holiday shopping list as early as you can. You’ll find greater availability before the shopping season truly kicks in, and you might be surprised to find some serious savings that rival Black Friday in the weeks leading up to the event.
Agree on a Spending Limit.
If you’re really trying to keep your Christmas shopping budget under control, you may want to sit down with family or friends and determine a spending limit on presents for each other. Sticking to a budget can be extra stressful when you know others in your life may plan to spend much more than you originally intended, but if everyone agrees to keep the price of gifts at $20 or less, you won’t need to worry so much.
Consider Combo Gifts.
Do you have any couples or families on your holiday shopping list? One easy way to keep your gifting budget in check while still giving meaningful presents to buy them something to enjoy together instead of individual gifts. From board games and movies to electronics and personalized home decor pieces, there are plenty of options to consider if you go this route.
Taking a frugal approach to the Christmas gift-buying process might not be as much fun as going wild and splurging on the perfect present for everyone, but your bank account will thank you later. And I guarantee you can still find an incredible gift for everyone on your list while working within your budget – you just need to plan ahead, think smart, and make it happen!
