5 Ways to Save Money on Gifts This Festive Season

It’s all too easy to get caught up in a marathon of gift buying during the holidays, especially with all the marketing campaigns geared towards spending money in the name of Christmas. Spreading the holiday’s joy should not depend on your income. Shop smarter without sacrificing generosity this festive season with our 5 ways to help curb your holiday spending:

1. Get Organised

Make a list of all the people you want to buy gifts for and what you are planning to get them. This will help you avoid the purchasing panic leading up to Christmas. Allocate an amount of money for each gift, and put that money in separate envelopes marked with the recipients’ names. Leaving your card at home and creating a budget for Christmas will limit your spending by a lot. Use your list as a guideline to keep you from going overboard when you’re hunting for gifts and make sure to stick to it!

2. Recycle Wrapping Paper

It’s such a shame to throw away wrapping paper and gift bags after only one use. Reduce your holiday expenses by re-purposing wrapping paper. Save any gift bags and bows you might have received throughout the year to reuse for someone else to enjoy. Have some fun and get creative by sprucing up paper bags or brown paper by adding a homemade gift tag with some ribbon. Your gift will be good to go. Don’t forget to use any old glossy magazines you have lying around your house; the environment will thank you for it.

3. Set Up Secret Santa

As much as you would love to give everyone you care about a gift for Christmas it is not always financially possible, especially If you have a big family or work in a large company. A Secret Santa gift exchange is the perfect solution to your problem. It’s a fun low-cost way to ensure that everyone receives something special without breaking the bank. You can either do the draw manually or online. This comes in handy if your family lives far away. Remember to set a fair budget and don’t reveal who you get. Guessing is half the fun!

4. Get Your Presents for the Best Price

Before making your purchase decisions, make sure to scoop out all the offers available to ensure you’re getting your gifts for the best price. Garner huge savings by following your favorite retailers on Facebook and sign up to their mailing lists to receive exclusive discount codes and deals. When shopping online it is important to budget for extra costs such as shipping to avoid burning a hole in your wallet.

5. Know when to stop

Once you’ve ticked everyone off your gift list, it’s time to stop shopping and avoid temptation! Remind yourself that you’ll be receiving gifts from friends and family this season so avoid unplanned purchases and remember the items you want will probably be cheaper in the after-season sales. Your budget will thank you