This year, it seems everyone is looking for ways to watch their spending, and this includes holiday gift giving. One of the best ways to enjoy the holiday season is to stick to your gift budget. It is also one of the hardest things to do. In order to spend wisely, you are going to need to get your gift giving organized.
Shoppers seem to divide themselves into two categories, those that shop ahead and those that don’t. Those that shop ahead don’t always stick to a budget. Those that don’t shop ahead really have an even harder time.
Want to make the most of your holiday spending? Try organizing your gift giving with these steps.
- Create a list of the people that you love and wish to remember this holiday season.
- Consider the list carefully. Are there any recipients that you would feel comfortable giving a small gift of homemade cookies or other item? If so, move them to a new list of homemade gifts.
- Decide how much money you can afford to spend this holiday season. Remember, it really is the thought that counts. It’s not just a saying but a truth.
- Allocate a dollar amount for each person. Add and re-add those totals. Make sure they do not go over your budget.
- Decide how you will actually manage that money. Are you using a debit card or credit card? Are you buying a few gifts each payday until the big day?
- Managing cash? Ask the bank for extra bank envelopes with the sticky closure. Label an envelope for each person on your list. Put in the budgeted amount of cash. As you shop, buy the gift for each person with their cash. If there isn’t enough cash in the envelope, either you can’t buy it or you must take cash from another person’s envelope. It will make you choose carefully.
- Buy the Sunday paper for the ads. Compare prices in the ads before shopping. Cut coupons and watch for door buster or early bird specials.
- Search online for coupons. Enter the store’s name plus the word coupon in the search engine.
- Use Lay-Away. K-mart and a number of other stores offer lay-away. Choose the item you wish to buy and they will hold it as you pay on it.
- Comparison shop online. This will save you time and gas. It will also keep you from being tempted by the many items you pass as you walk through the store. Many online retailers have free shipping this time of year.
- Ask for a discount. If you are a senior, a veteran or other category that gets discounts, always ask if one is available.
Not sure where to start on your list? Get started by shopping for your out-of-town gifts first. They need to go in the mail soon after Thanksgiving to insure delivery and also to insure that you don’t have to pay expensive special delivery rates for waiting too long to send it.
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