Good Morning Divas 🙂 I hope you all had a fantastic Thanksgiving weekend. I took a much needed break from all things technological and enjoyed time spent with family and friends. And…refrained from the Black Friday shopping madness. The highlight of my shopping weekend was stumbling upon a teapot with flowering tea balls for $5 – well, that was the ONLY purchase I made. I’ve made a commitment this year to shop local and support small businesses and direct sale consultants for my holiday gifts.
The holiday rush is definitely upon us! There are so many deals running rampant and it is so easy to overspend even while attempting to be thrifty.
Those that shop online know that a good deal comes up quick and you have to jump on the bandwagon to ensure you don’t miss out. However, make sure you’re not spending money just to save money – hopefully you caught that 🙂
I did a post similar to this last year and decided it was information well worth sharing and adding on to.
5 Holiday Savings Tips
- Create a master budget. I have separate bank accounts for different spending. Make all your purchases out of a “gift account” that is separate from other budget items. Do not transfer more than you have pre-planned into the account. If the deal exceeds what’s in your account, then it is not a good deal for you. Pass on it, but be a good friend and “gift” the information to others by passing the deal on to other family and friends.
- Keep a list of people you have decided to shop for somewhere handy – next to your computer, on your smart phone, etc – and refer to it whenever a great deal comes up. If it’s an awesome deal – see who you can check off your list by purchasing it. If you can’t match it up to someone, then pass on it.
- Make your own wrapping paper – reuse newspaper, sales ads, store bags, etc.
- Do a family name exchange. Rather than buy for everyone, exchange names and buy for just one person. This is especially helpful if you have a large extended family.
- Homemade, sentimental gifts are great! You can do gifts in a jar, photo collages…Pinterest has tons of great ideas to implement within your holiday gift giving.
What are your tips for staying frugal during the holidays?
Do you have any divalicious homemade gift ideas to share?
Post your comments below.
Michelle says
Great ideas! I use these myself:)
Michelle
http://normalchaosforamultitaskmom.blogspot.com/2012/11/little-opportunities-for-grace.html
Ashley says
I love to shop all throughout the year when I find things on sales and clearance. It really helps spread out the spending so it isn't a huge amount of $ in December.
Amiyrah Martin says
We have always kept a list and shopped all year. This year, I'm also going to make some spa-inspired gifts for the ladies in our family. Should be fun!
Erinn Sluka says
Make a list and stick to it!! Nothing wastes money more than impulse buyinf. And Pinterest for the best ideas!…erinnsluka@gmail
Leila Kennedy says
We do a lot of handmade gifts – blankets, picture frames, bracelets – to keep the cost down. It's my favorite time of year to craft!
Debi@The Spring Mount 6 Pack says
I always buy thing when they are discounted. Plus I always check to see if I actually need something first. I have had too many times I have bought things just to find out I already have 5 of them at home.
Misty Kearns says
great tips! I always buy on sale and start shopping in the early fall for family gifts.
Julia says
I like to add items in my cart on Amazon then save them for later that way each time I go to my cart I can quickly see when the price has changed.Thanks!JimandJulia at mchsi dot com
Anne Younger says
Such great tips!Thank you for sharing!!
Denise G says
Buy in the summer when items are on sale as well it doesn't make it so hard to buy for everyone at once.
KathleenKL says
I buy on sale too–so when Christmas is over a local drug store CVS puts the toys on sale 50% off and sometimes if they are left 75% so I buy them up and we are ready for birthday parties
Michelle Garrett says
Sad to say – I'm so guilty of NOT doing this and buying items I already have way too many times.
Katherine Phillips says
These are great tips!!
Anne Younger says
This year we are having the kids do a lot of homemade gifts for family members. They want to do some more ornaments, my daughter bought different items to paint and the 2 oldest are in to crafting with duct tape.
V. says
I can always use Frugal Ideas this time of year! I love looking for simple things to make the holidays fun. Just driving around with cocoa looking at lights can be an experience to remember 🙂
Tara Todd says
Great ideas!!!! My frugal ideas are that I try to buy stuff when it's on sale after holidays, nothing big like black friday, and stock up on stuff through out the year for stocking stuffers etc. I also check through my stuff to find something I haven't even opened to regift…I just decided this year we will be making our own wrapping paper out of craft paper I got from a garage sale 😀
Tiffany says
I only buy things that are on sale (at least 40% off) and we do a lot of consumable gifts, as I also own a wine spread line. We don't do lots of gifts though, my kids are only getting 4-5 small things this year. I'm trying to keep it under $300 for all 8 of us.
Krystle (Baking Beauty) says
I love gifting cookie mix in a jar!
Rose Powell says
I'm doing family name shadow boxes, keeping it simple all the way around using items I've found suitable on clearance
Hobbies on a Budget says
Look in your closet before you go shopping. It's always a waste to buy wrapping paper if you have 5 rolls stashed in a closet from last years clearance.