Just a reminder that one of the best ways to keep your Christmas budget down in the future, if you have the time and space to do so, is to plan for next Christmas this year. Some suggestions include:
-If you receive gifts you don't like or won't use, give a nice thank-you, and then return the items and stash the gift cards for next year, or pick up clearanced items at the store with your credit and stash for next year. Of course if you can't return it or you know someone else who might like it, you can keep the item and re-gift.
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save wrapping paper, bags, tissue paper, and bows. I haven't had to buy these in years and can still wrap beautiful gifts. You can pick them up on clearance after Christmas, but it's easier and less wasteful to just keep the ones you're given (especially bags).
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check after-Christmas clearance for stocking stuffers. CVS often goes to 90% off a few weeks after Christmas.
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if you receive gift cards you don't like, write down the amount and keep them on hand to give next year or use to purchase a gift.
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photos from Christmas can make great Christmas gifts. Capturing someone's favorite ornament on the tree or your kid opening a present from grandma can be printed on an ornament or put in a frame next year for a great christmas decoration. There are often free coupons for this throughout the year.
I stash gift items throughout the year in a Tupperware bin (from gifts I receive, new items at yard sales, freebies, etc) and am always happy to see what's there when Christmas comes around. It doesn't cover everyone, but it gets me some stocking stuffers, teacher gifts, etc without having to run out and buy something. (Recyclebank is good for free magazine subscriptions for this too - no shipping either! a good gift for teachers, etc.)
In short, anything you get that you don't love, return it or save it and use it to stay within budget next Christmas. Less money spent, less time spent, less waste, less junk for you, and you still get to give a gracious thank-you and keep all the gifts you want.
December 20, 2017 at 05:11AM
