Christmas is approaching fast and it’s the time of year where families and friends want to spend time together and perhaps buy each other a gift. It’s also a time when money can fly out the window fast and then January seems a very long month before pay day. So how exactly can you save on Christmas gifts?
One thing you can do is have an awkward conversation with family and friends about presents. For some, it’s so easy to buy for people without giving it a second thought. What you could actually be doing though is handing over a present, gift wrapped in guilt. This can then put pressure on the recipient to fork out money for a gift in return, even if it’s not wanted. Giving each other gifts is a lovely pastime during the Christmas season but it can so often add financial pressure to those already feeling it.
Maybe you decide to only buy for the children this year, or do a family wide Secret Santa so everyone can buy a gift and receive a gift without spending loads of money. You could even stretch it to the entire extended family too. Put a monetary limit on it as well otherwise things can easily get out of hand. Some think Secret Santa is only for the workplace but it can add fun and mystery to the home too.
Last year, after I attended the Martin Lewis Money Show in Liverpool, I felt like we should definitely cut back. Our loved ones are always tell us they have so many people to buy for, so we decided to use the money we’d essentially swap by buying gifts for each other, to go out for a meal instead. Sometimes it’s about making memories as well as giving physical gifts.
If you are shopping in the holidays, you can save on Christmas gifts by being organise. Plan in advance, search the sales, do research about what was on sale at the best price when, last year. If it’s what you want to buy, find it where it’s cheap! Companies often do the same thing year on year so you can usually get some kind of an idea about what will be discounted when. You’ll soon be able to save money! Click through cashback sites too!
You don’t always have to wrap gifts, that can add extra expense. Brown paper is just as good as fancy Christmas wrapping and you can even get the kids to create their own by drawing on the plain paper, which doubles up as a festive activity! If you can delay your paper buying until closer to Christmas Day, many retailers start to heavily discount their wrapping. Or, wait until after Christmas, buy it in the sales and put it away for a year.
One thing that I’d recommend you steer clear of is gift cards. Whilst they can be seen as good gift ideas, placed at the till in the shops for those you’ve perhaps forgotten about, they aren’t the same as cash. If the company goes bust, they’re worthless.
Before you buy, think about whether the person needs it. You might think they want it but what is it going to add to their lives? Sometimes the best gifts are the ones that you made, for free. Think about ways that you can show people just how much you care about the without money being a factor at all in the equation.
Saving money should be a year round thing and if you do, you can lighten the pressure during the festive season. Be clever and you can save on Christmas gifts whilst still having an amazing Christmas season!
