Christmas is right around the corner, and you might already be thinking about ways to get your friends and family the perfect gift. Sometimes, however, those gifts may need to be on a tight budget this year depending on your circumstances.
Don’t spend a fortune on Christmas this year. Instead, check out these tips for having an amazing Christmas on a budget in 2021.
Shop Black Friday Sales
The easiest way to find amazing Christmas gifts on a budget is to shop black Friday sales. Since 2005, Black Friday has been the busiest shopping day of the year in America. Originally created to help retailers get out of the red, Black Friday is a day where retailers nationwide heavily discount their items.
Retailers traditionally open early on the day after Thanksgiving. In recent years however, retailers have started opening earlier and earlier to keep up with the competition. Some stores now open as early as after lunch on Thanksgiving!
Use Coupons and Discount Stores
Using coupons and shopping at discount stores is another way to have a great Christmas on a tight budget. Most coupons expire within 30 days so start collecting them before you plan to shop. You can find many coupons both in weekly newspapers and online. There are several sites like Coupon Mom where you can find coupons for free.
Don’t Buy Fancy Wrapping Paper
An easy way to reduce your spending during the upcoming holiday season is to save money on wrapping paper. If you’ve ever given a gift, you’ll know what comes upon receiving it. A wild flurry of wrapping paper and bows ensue, creating a big mess with it.
Save yourself money, and cleaning time, this year by getting simple wrapping paper. Plain brown craft paper is a great way to wrap your gifts while not breaking the bank. Wrapping paper is meant to be destroyed. Stop wasting money by buying fancy paper and bows.
Create Your Own Holiday Cards
Once the holiday season begins, you’ll start to notice it in full swing by your mailbox. Giving and receiving holiday cards is a major tradition for some. If you fall into this category, think about saving major cash this year by creating your own cards.
Most new cell phones have great camera and photo-taking capabilities. Set up your phone and use the built-in timer to create your own family portrait. You can save money by getting them printed yourself or doing it at home.
Host A Potluck
One common tradition during the holiday season is the Christmas dinner. This year, instead of buying and hosting everything yourself, host a potluck instead! A potluck is a party or meal where all of the guests bring a dish.
Hosting a potluck for Christmas dinner can not only save you money and your budget, but it can also help to bring people closer. Having friends and family bring a dish to share for Christmas dinner introduces everyone to other foods they might not have had a chance to try before.
Start Shopping Early
Getting a very early head start on Christmas shopping is another simple way to have an awesome Christmas on a budget. Some people swear that starting their holiday shopping as early as January lands them sweet deals that they couldn’t find any other time.
If your budget doesn’t allow for Christmas shopping in January, consider getting a loan. The cost of the loan (interest, fees, etc.) may actually be offset by the savings you’ll receive from shopping after the holiday season.
By giving yourself as much time as possible, you can wait for the best deals. If you saw something in January that you wanted to get, you may find that March is the best time to find a deal on that item. Don’t limit your shopping to just the end of the year.
Shop at Thrift Stores
Shopping at thrift and secondhand stores is an excellent way to save money. People donate and consign all types of items for many different reasons. The adage ‘one man’s trash is another’s treasure’ rings true for thrift stores.
Goodwill Industries, or Goodwill for short, is an American non-profit that provides a plethora of community services funded by their massive chain of thrift stores throughout the country. With more than 3,300 stores throughout the nation, chances are there is a store nearby.
Choosing to shop at thrift stores is not only good for your wallet, but good for the environment too. The rise of fast fashion has created a global trash problem that is harming our planet. By thrifting goods, you’re breathing new life in something that could otherwise contribute to the earth’s environmental instability.
