Christmas is right around the corner and as I’ve been spreading a little bit of holiday spirit throughout every room in my house, I’ve been really mindful of new purchases to make that happen. I don’t have an unlimited budget to create a winter wonderland, that’s for sure. So, it’s made me think more about one topic that can create for a stressful holiday season among families: SPENDING.
Christmas is a season where we can over spend and over splurge and it can leave us depleted in so many ways. But, we can spend and still stay sane if we do it right! Today, thanks to my partnership with Amazing Goodwill, I’m sharing a handful of really simple strategies to save money this Christmas to minimize stress and savor the joy.
Budget & List
Have both a budget and a clear plan. This is so important. Mark and I set a budget for our Christmas season to include everything from a tree (when we bought fresh) to our annual family outings and all of our Christmas cards + postage. I then create a spreadsheet listing everyone we buy gifts for with a set dollar amount for each person to easily manage our total budget.
If you’re like “woah, that seems a bit crazy” just note that 33% of people spend $1,000 or more on gifts. Holiday sales are expected to increase overall this year, as the average price of one gift has increased. Plus, as a country, we are on a dramatic upswing of spending since the last recession. My advice? Plan your spend and stick to it. You won’t be as tempted to impulse buy and you’ll be able to find the perfect gift for those on your list within a range that feels comfortable to you. There’s no need to buy gifts if it will put you in a stressful place financially. There are so many other ways to show your love and appreciation for others. (stats: Investopedia)
Buy Second-hand
I’ve been sharing more about my buying and purging practices over on Instagram. I feel so passionate about minimizing waste and living lean + the footprint I leave on this earth. Don’t get me wrong, there are certain things in life that bring me joy — I don’t live in a stark house with blank walls and empty rooms — and I think there is something really sweet about giving thoughtful gifts that bring others joy, too. I do, however, believe that we can be really responsible with our purchases.
If there is something you are hunting for, do not be afraid to look second-hand. I’ve partnered with Amazing Goodwill to showcase what an incredible resource shopping their stores can be. While it’s been no secret I’m a #crazybasketlady and find all my best at Goodwill, I also found my favorite new Christmas decor item for just $4.99 which is just the perfect item for spreading cheer. (See the sweetest mistletoe 🙂 )
Draw Names
We used to buy for everyone. Now with siblings and extended family, we draw names and each person only buys for one other person. This cuts down on spend tremendously and everyone gets one really thoughtful gift. We focus on spending time together, experiences and of course, food.
DIY
I’ll be honest, I’m not a Pinterest mom that takes to DIY projects regularly. I say that because I don’t want DIY to overwhelm you. Think of gifts that you could simply make — or gifts your kids could make — to cut down on costs. Can your kids help you make a cute sign for “Dad’s Tools”? Or can they make pictures for grandparents? Simple is good and handmade items are keepsakes!
Shop Smart
– Look for sales.
– Take advantage of free shipping.
– Use Ebates! Seriously, I get cash every month for simply shopping online! – Use Earny: it tracks sale prices and auto refunds our checking account when prices drop below what we purchased for, within a certain time period.
– Don’t over do it: remember quality > quantity.
– An area in which I could improve is starting to shop for items on my Christmas spreadsheet earlier, hopefully encountering more sales. I’m sure that stores are smart enough to mark up prices as it gets closer to Christmas to catch all those last minute shoppers.
I hope some of how we manage to spend less throughout the season will help you minimize your stress + save a bit, too. And a special thank you to Amazing Goodwill for partnering with me as I become more and more purposeful with all of our purchases, minimizing waste and having a positive impact on our world through consumerism.
Wishing you and your family a very merry Christmas season full of the joy and wonder that only He can bring.
XO