Holiday seasons is coming, it means fun and stress. For some people facing the months of November and December can be really stresses out, and it related to money. Especially if you came from big family, well, the budget to buy your family gift must be extra, on the other hand we want to make them happy on the holiday.
I am very lucky not as a stressed out person during the holidays, my family don’t celebrate Christmas by exchanging presents or party, usually we gathers at our parents’ house after church and having home cook meal from our mom special recipes. But still I have to concern about the budget for shopping especially my daughter’s birthday is just a day before Christmas and I want to give something special to my parents too.
Anyway, holidays can just be overwhelming when it comes to money. But I have found a few great tips for saving some money during the holidays that I want to share,
Make a list of presents that you want to buy, and do stick with the list. For that you have to find the right gift for the right person first, it’s not easy as it sounds, if you know the person close, you can predict the gift that the person’s might like it. Many products that can be represent them, start from clothes, crafts to baby’s products and gadget. My husband once gave me a surprise present after his long business travel, but it’s unsuccessful surprise, because the clothes are smaller. Still I appreciate the good intention from my husband. I’m just saying, just be precise about the size if you choose clothes as gift.
Take advantage from online shopping which is offers free shipping and give discounts. With using online shopping you saved energy, gas and time. Many online shopping that’s give special discount in early just like Oprah Store which are offering 20% off workout sales and some winters item such as cashmere sweaters and more items on the site. Just don’t start shopping the last week before holidays even there will be many great sales. Because you’ll be overwhelming and end up making a lot of impulse purchases, unless you are a type a person that can stick only to the list, and I do believe you are not…:)
Or perhaps you want to give present with personal touch of you. If you’re hobby in creating one of special gift,then it will be more great. Maybe knitting a sweater for your new nephew, baking a cake, painting on canvas or cloth, or making wooden toys. You can save a lot of money by making your homemade gifts. Even I know it won’t work for anyone on the list, but at least you can save some money and make those who accept the homemade gifts happy.
Or another perhaps, you are kind of person that like to help another, so buying African crafts could be alternative, since it sold to empower craftsmen in South Africa. Its offering a traditional hand crafted bowls which are offering beaded bowls and wire bowls, baskets, linen and jewelery. Or painting that made by handicap and orphan people.
Above all shopping chaos, the gist of Christmas is not only about holidays and gifts, is more to share the happiness together for welcoming baby Jesus Christ no matter who and no matter when. Maybe it’s about time to make changes on your next holidays, such visit and bring the gifts to the old folks’ home, orphan, patient that have cancer, AIDS, etc.
Well, it all return to us to make decision. Enjoy the gifts hunting…
