Save big on Christmas

 

I am always looking for ways to cut costs during this time of year.  The ugly truth is there are many years that we spent way more than we should have (or could afford) on gifts for our kids, family members and friends.

You see the problem with having a giving heart is that you want to give to everybody, despite what your bank account says. Which results in loads of stress. After the season is over, I talk to so many people who are stressed out because, they racked up incredible debt or are broke.

There are many ways you can still give to those you love without breaking the bank.  Here is a list of 10 ways that I save BIG at Christmas time:

  1.  I buy gifts at Ollie’s, Big Lots or other discount stores.  These stores have such great discounts and are usually the overstock of what is in other stores.
  2. I stalk Target’s Cartwheel app.  Every day they post a deal that is 50% off for a different toy, apparel, etc.  It only lasts 24 hours so hurry in!
  3. I bake something yummy In the past I have made cookies and fudge for my family and friends to give away.  This takes more time than money.
  4. I make mason jar gifts.  These are my favorite!  You layer your ingredients for hot chocolate (cocoa mix, marshmallows, Christmas colored candies) or a cookie mix ( flour, brown sugar, raisins, oatmeal candies).  They look beautiful and people love them.
  5. Yes, I do black Friday.  I am one of the crazies…but I only go out for a few hours with my sister to catch the deals that we have already highlighted as insane savings.  These are usually the door busters.  Some deals are worth it and some are not so be careful and compare your prices!
  6. Pick names with family or friends.  If buying for all your relatives or friends has you overwhelmed: pick names so that everyone has only one person to buy for.  This will save you tons and people like the idea of getting a new person every year.
  7. Stock up throughout the year.  Waiting until the last minute, can cost you.  If you are focusing on saving all year around, you can pick up great deals on clearance through the year and stock them for the season.
  8. Buy children’s gifts at the thrift store.  So many of our local thrift stores have amazing, newer toys for ridiculously low prices.  From clothes, to books and toys you can find anything you would need.
  9. Think outside the box.  Getting your husband, parent or child a year subscription to their favorite magazine is fairly inexpensive and is the gift that keeps on giving all year long.  This time of year there are so many deals for getting these for dirt cheap.
  10. Yes, I said it.. Re-gift.  Now don’t get tacky with this concept (LOL).  There are some items that were given to me or that I have bought in the past that I haven’t used and are beautiful gifts that I truly think someone else would enjoy.  These are the type of things that I re-gift to someone else.

I love this season more than anything! We teach our children that this season is not about what you can get, but what you can give.  This is the time of year that we celebrate God giving us His only son, Jesus Christ and we really want to focus on the ultimate gift of salvation not all the stuff.

save big on Christmas

The worldly way of viewing this season creates stress about money and how much we spend on each person, including our kids.  However, we have chosen to not be in that kind of bondage any longer but to give within our means.  God knows our hearts, and it’s not to impress everyone around us but to glorify Him by still being good stewards of our money while remembering He is the reason for the season!!

What ways do you save during this season?? (Comment below)

**For more tips on saving money check out “10 ways to save money on your household expenses.”

or “How to save big bucks at the grocery store.”

 

how to save big on christmas gifts

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60 comments

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You went there with the re-gift, good for you/ I love making mason jar gifts and gift baskets. Never over look the dollar and thrift stores.

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LOL yep! Yes, you can find some amazing gifts there for sure!

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I love Big Lots, Marshalls, Tuesday Mornings and places like that. I’ve even found some amazing things at Flea Markets and thrift stores.

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Oh yes Tuesday Morning is amazing too!!

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I like doing Chinese Gift exchanges. That’s a good way to save on christmas

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Oh wow sounds fun!

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Great post and perfect timing! I’ll be using some of these when I start my shopping.

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Great! Thanks an I’m so glad they are helpful to you!

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Much appreciated ideas since my dh hasn’t had a perm job in two yrs.

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Aww I hope that changes soon for you guys! I wouldn’t stress the holidays being about money and things you can buy but counting all the blessing you do have!

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We’ve really pared down on the Christmas giving and give only to the kids. Then we try to get together for a fun family event in January like a dinner at the Melting Pot or a weekend away at my cabin. Much less money, much less stress, MUCH happier adults!

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What a great idea! We really need to move to it just being for our kids.. considering we have 3 and not as much extended family! Great ideas! Thanks!

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OOOHHH, this is a great list! first I have no idea what you’re talking about, but now I feel a bit left out of the Target cartwheel app (I’ll be immediately searching for this)! For me, baking is a great way to give back to the many people who take care of the kids at school, great tip! And black Friday?? More power to you-Be Safe-HA! Great job on this.

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Yes! Baking is such a great gift. Target Cartwheel is an app from Target that gives you coupons for the store to use! Every day they put up new ones during this season for 50% off a toy! Hope you can use it! Let me know if you need help at all.

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What a list Hava! I’m pinning this to my Holidays board. I love baking or making mason jars of allergy friendly baking goods… the receiver is always so happy to have a safe treat to enjoy!

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Yes! I am making them this year for gifts! Thanks for the support!

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Black Friday can really make a difference in your savings! I normally make a list before I go out so I don’t overspend, and the deals are amazing! Thanks for sharing.

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Yes, I make a list too and stick to it! It takes time to look through the flyers but, it’s so worth it!

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These are all great ideas! I do shop throughout the year when I see great deals and it really helps! We also have a gift section in our house of “regifts” or doubles for those last minute “oh no I forgot a gift” moments. Yes may some think it’s tacky but it happens!!

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That’s so awesome and what great ideas! Good for you!

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My family does a white elephant exchange for our big family Christmas gathering and then my parents, sister and I buy for each other. It makes it a lot more manageable. I also like to shop online and find various discount codes or cash back sites to help save!

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Yes!Cash back sites make a big difference too! What great ideas!

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These are great tips! It does make a huge difference to prepare all year, instead of waiting until the last minute. You are so brave to navigate black Friday, but it must be worth it!

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LOL Yes it’s crazy out there but, I’ll do anything to save a dime!

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What great tips Jehava, I especially love the idea of baking and the mason jar gifts. My husband and I always go crazy but we said this year we would do less but more meaningful! Thanks for sharing!

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That’s so fantastic! Meaningful always is better than higher priced for sure!

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I try to stick up throughout the year. Let’s rushed, you can leverage sales, and it spreads the cost impact out a bit. Great ideas!

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Yes! Exactly! Great idea!!

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Great tips!! I’ve been really lucky with Amazon this year. Obsessed with their deals and things on Prime!

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Yes!they have some really great deals!

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Great tips! The mason jar gifts always look so cute, and I’ll to try and make some myself. For us, we stopped buying gifts for adults. We only get gifts for my nieces and nephews. And for my girls’ grandparents, I get picture calendars made for them all and they love them.

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They are so easy to make and come out so beautiful! Great idea too!!

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You cracked me up with the re-gifting tip! I think we’ve all done that, right? I like the Target idea, I had no idea about that one.

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Oh awesome! I’m glad I gave you a new tip! LOL yea it’s better than throwing away good stuff!

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Excellent tips! I had no idea about the Target app, going to check it out now. LOL at re-gift, its so true though – we usually have a gift exchanging where we bring items from home that are unused or barely used and someone at the party loves it and finds a use for it. Its funny that some people fight for the same thing, its so fun!
xx, Kusum | http://www.sveeteskapes.com

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LOL Yes sometimes I get really amazing things that I just won’t use but, want to give away and yes! that app is awesome!

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Love these tips!! We have drawn names on my side of the extended family forever! So, I suggested it to my husband’s side and now they do too!

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Oh wow what a great idea!! That’s awesome. We still need to do some convincing over here!

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Regifting and Mason jar gifts are so much fun!! I love pulling gifts out of my regifting stash that I know will fit someone else to a T.
There are so many mason jar ideas out there now too! Soups are fun but I have to admit I love a brownie or cookie too!

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YES!I never thought of soups with it too, just mixes but great idea!

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I think people overlook places that have their own app that includes their in-store coupons (like you mentioned, Target)! We also draw names for gifts in my family to help with finances too. Great list!

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Yes! Kohls is another one like that, where you can save tons!

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I’m so glad you brought up thrift stores and re-gifting. I’ve been doing that for years. I find the coolest things at thrift stores and most of the time people don’t have any idea that they’re even used!
Christmas cookies are always a nice touch:)

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I know! I get shocked when I go to people’s houses and they tell me all the things they got from thrift stores, then I’m mad at myself for paying full price!

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I love the baking idea. I bake holiday treats for my co-workers. They love it and now look forward to it each year.

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I know! I love when I receive them too!

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These are all such great tips! Christmas shopping can get so expensive!

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Thanks so much! Yes it can really add up if you aren’t intentional!

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I love that your post is full of REAL ideas, not gimmicks. Thanks for sharing. I have bought most of my two boys’ gifts at thrift stores in the past, and it’s the best!

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Aww thanks! That is a great compliment! That’s so awesome! Good for you!

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We just used Cartwheel for the first time the other day. That was an interesting experience at the self-check out. It is nothing like a grocery store coupon app.

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Yes! It’s so nice! I use it often!

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Great ideas! Thanks for reminding me about stalking the Cartwheel app. Last year, I seemed to miss my son’s must-haves toys! I need to be looking at that every day this time around! 🙂

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YES! It’s amazing and the daily deals are better than Black Friday!

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I love this post! I do some these too, like #1! Just hit up Ollies and Christmas tree shop last week with coupons I had.

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Yes! Ollies is the best!

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Number 7 is the hardest one for me. It starts out great and then little one gives me those puppy eyes and the present comes out of the closet… I’m the worst. lol
Such great ideas. 🙂

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LOL! Thank you so much!

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GREAT ideas!

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thanks so much!

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