From corporate gifts for colleagues to Christmas presents for family and friends, the holiday season can be a costly one. In fact, the average American is expected to spend $935 on Christmas gifts this year, according to the National Retail Federation.
Now that Christmas is just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about how to get the most bang for your buck when it comes to Christmas gift-giving. Here are a few tips and tricks to help you save money on Christmas gifts (including Company Gifts) this year:
1. Make a list… and check it twice
I know, I know. You’re probably thinking, “I can remember who I need to buy gifts for without making a list.” But trust me, Christmas lists are essential when saving money on gifts.
When you make a list of everyone you need to buy gifts for, you can budget accordingly and avoid overspending. Plus, it’s always helpful to have a physical (or digital) list to reference when you’re Christmas shopping, so you don’t forget anyone.
With a list, you also won’t be as tempted to impulsively buy Christmas gifts for people you don’t need to be buying gifts for (I’m looking at you, office Secret Santa).
2. Limit the people on your Christmas list
One way to save money on Christmas gifts is to limit the number of people you buy gifts for. This may seem like a Scrooge-like move, but hear me out.
If you have a large family or a lot of friends, it can be tempting to want to buy Christmas gifts for everyone. But the truth is, you don’t need to buy a Christmas gift for everyone in your life. In fact, you could probably get away with only buying Christmas gifts for close family members and friends.
As for work colleagues and acquaintances, a Christmas card (or email) may suffice. If you need to get them a Christmas gift, consider getting them something small and inexpensive from Apex Gifts and Prints. They’re perfect for corporate gifts!
If you’re worried about offending someone by not buying them a Christmas gift, you can always explain that you’re trying to save money this year and only buy Christmas gifts for your closest loved ones. Most people will understand.
Read More: Do’s And Don’ts: Tips For Gifting During The Holidays
3. Try DIY Christmas gifts
If you’re good with your hands, DIY Christmas gifts can be a great way to save money on Christmas gifts. Not only will you save money by making the gifts yourself, but you’ll also add a personal touch that store-bought gifts can’t match.
There are tons of easy and inexpensive DIY Christmas gift ideas out there, like homemade Christmas cookies, scented candles, or even a simple mug with a Christmas message.
And if you have a significant other you want to impress, try your hand at making a scarf or tie. Just make sure you give yourself enough time to make the gift!
4. Shop online for Christmas gifts
The internet is rife with Christmas deals, so if you’re looking to save money on Christmas gifts, it’s worth doing some online Christmas shopping. You’ll often find better deals and sales online than in stores.
But beware of overspending when Christmas shopping online. It’s all too easy to get caught up in the moment and add a few (or a few dozen) items to your online shopping cart that you don’t really need.
To avoid overspending, make sure you stick to your Christmas budget and only buy the Christmas gifts on your list. We recommend you check out Apex Gifts and Prints for affordable Christmas gifts that won’t break the bank.
5. Start your shopping early.
You’ve probably heard the proverb, “The early bird catches the worm.” And when it comes to Christmas gifts on a budget, this couldn’t be more true.
If you start your Christmas shopping early, you’ll have a better chance of finding Christmas gifts on sale. Plus, you’ll be less likely to overspend because you’ll have more time to find affordable Christmas gifts that fit your budget.
Ideally, the best time to start Christmas shopping is in the months leading up to Christmas. But if you can’t do that, aim to start your Christmas shopping at least a month or two before Christmas.
6. Compare prices before you buy Christmas gifts
When you do your Christmas shopping, it’s important to compare prices. With a little effort, you can find Christmas gifts at a fraction of the price you would normally pay.
There are a few different ways you can compare prices on Christmas gifts. One is to use online price comparison websites like PriceGrabber or Shopzilla. These websites allow you to compare prices on Christmas gifts from various retailers.
Another way to compare prices is to visit your local stores and see what Christmas gifts they have on sale. You can also check store flyers for Christmas gift deals.
7. Reuse Christmas gift cards
One clever way to save money on Christmas gifts is to reuse Christmas gift cards. If you have any leftover Christmas gift cards from last year, see if there’s anything you can use for this year. Some useful gift cards include ones for restaurants, gas stations, or grocery stores.
If you don’t have any leftover Christmas gift cards, see if you can find any discounted gift cards online. You can often find Christmas gift cards for 10-20% off their face value. You could also check out sites like Raise or Cardpool, which sell discounted gift cards.
8. Secret Santa
If you have work colleagues, friends, or family members you exchange Christmas gifts with, consider doing a Secret Santa gift exchange. With a Secret Santa gift exchange, everyone draws a name out of a hat and is assigned to buy a Christmas gift for that person.
The great thing about Secret Santa is that it cuts down on the number of Christmas gifts you buy. And it also means you only have to spend a certain amount on each Christmas gift, which can help you stay within your budget.
9. Give experiences instead of Christmas gifts
This option is best for close friends and family who you know would appreciate it. Christmas gifts don’t always have to be material things. You could also give an experience as a Christmas gift.
Some ideas for experiences you could give as Christmas gifts include tickets to a concert or show, a day at the spa, or a weekend getaway. These Christmas gifts can be more personal and meaningful than material Christmas gifts.
10. Tighten your belt in other areas
To save money for holiday expenses, sometimes you may need to cut back on other areas of your budget. For example, you could eat out less often, cut back on your cable TV package, or cancel your gym membership.
Making small sacrifices in other areas of your budget can free up some extra cash to spend on Christmas gifts. And it’s only for a short period, so it’s not too much of a burden.
11. Use cash instead of credit
When shopping on a budget, it’s important to use cash instead of credit. When you use credit, it’s easy to overspend and end up with a high credit card bill. But when you use cash, you’re more mindful of your spending and less likely to overspend.
To use this Christmas shopping tip, withdraw a certain amount of cash from your bank account to use for Christmas gifts. Then, once the cash is gone, you’re done Christmas shopping. This will help you stick to your budget and avoid spending more than you can afford.
Conclusion
The holidays are a special time of year, but they can also be costly. By following these tips, you can shop on a budget and still give great Christmas gifts to your friends and family. With a little bit of effort, you can save money and still have a merry Christmas!