Easy Tips for Saving Money This Christmas

A SAHM’s Tips on How to Save Money This Christmas

Even though it’s only November 6^th, my holiday panic has already set in.  I spend about two months stressing over how to pay for all of the gifts for my extensive family.  I personally started planning about a week ago.  Fortunately we are now doing a Secret Santa with my husbands siblings and their spouses, so I have three less gifts to buy this year!  Of course, my daughter’s three preschool teachers have now supplanted that, but I’m already prepared for them.  There are about a billion people on the Internet that will tell you how to save on Christmas, but I’m a totally regular person, I do this blog in my spare time when I can, and this is a great passion of mine.  This is what the mom down the street does to buy for about forty people every year!

**Disclaimer:  My Mom tried reduce the gift exchange with her extended family down to a Secret Santa from a “token gifts for everyone” approach.  She was rebuffed.

1. Make it your job.  If you’re a SAHM, it IS your job to find ways to save money.  It really doesn't take as much time as it seems.  Visit sites that post holiday deals (such as Budget Savvy Diva) once a day or so.   You never know what you might find, such as a free mouse pad deal or a high-value coupon.  Likewise, when I go out on Black Friday, I know exactly what I’m buying.  I go out with a list of what I’m buying for whom at what stores.  It prevents me from overspending.
2. Work on your own timetable.  Many sites suggest you wait until Christmas approaches for the best deals.  While this may be true, it doesn't work for everyone.  We have family in other states to send gifts to, and we’re celebrating Christmas with my husband’s family on December 21^st this year, so that doesn't really apply to me.  I estimate that I need to have ¾ of my list done by December 21^st.  If you can hold out until the weekend before Christmas, go for it.  If not, keep abreast of the deals immediately.  Also see item #4!
3. Rewards and gift cards.  This is my ace-in-the-hole.  I accumulate Target gift cards throughout the year buying paper goods, diapers, and other items.  Right now I’m at $110.  Frankly, I was all set to write about this and realized I can do an entire post on how I don’t pay for gifts!  That’ll be up next!
4. Shop on December 26^th.  While this won’t help for this year, it’s still a great way to get token gifts at a cheap price.  Target is a great place to go on the 26^th for lots of things – I bought a year’s worth of aluminum foil last year – not just trinket gifts.  I bought the dish towels for Bebe’s teachers, a teapot for my husband’s coworker, and salt & pepper shakers for another family member, last December 26^th.  Some of this stuff will still even be around at higher discounts as the New Year approaches.  At Kohl’s on December 31^st, we bought a gift basket (late holiday gift) and dirt-cheap ornaments.
5. Re-gift.  This sounds worse than it is.  My husband works for a company that – every year - gifts their employees the overstock of the items they produce.  He has worked there for eight years.  That’s a lot of swag.  These particular items are perfect for our older family members.  Don’t be afraid to re-gift, especially in token exchanges.  There is no shame in having a budget.
6. Be creative.  While this is not necessarily my cup of tea, make gifts!  Bake for a neighbor, teacher, or older person.  Try to make those soaps that are all over Pinterest.  It’s the thought that counts, and for me, time can be more expensive than money!

These are just a few of the things I do to make the holiday season more affordable.  As I mentioned before, I estimated that we have about 40 people to buy gifts for - that's pretty outrageous.  In a few days I'll outline all the ways I get free gift cards and rewards to help offset costs.  It is beyond stressful, and I spent the afternoon munching on Oreos.  Hopefully this will help someone else . . . and stay away from Oreos!