The best way to save money when buying Christmas gifts is to stock up year round when things are discounted after holidays and such. Obviously if you’re reading this article, though, you probably didn’t get a chance to do that this year! So, after Christmas, be sure to buy some of the toys and such when they’re marked down by 50 or 75 percent, and save them for next year! I know that doesn’t help for now, though… so follow these tips to below to save money when buying Christmas gifts!
1. Plan ahead. The best way to save money any time is to plan ahead. If you can, buy a few gifts a week through Christmas, so you don’t have to spend a lot at once.
2. DIY this Christmas! Whether you do gifts in a jar, or make your own gift baskets, you can save big by doing it yourself.
3. Use rewards, swagbucks, etc. Use survey and reward sites to earn points or cash towards gifts that can be used for Christmas. The points might seem like they’re not adding up very quickly, but before you know it you’ll have $100 in Amazon credits and be able to go on a mini shopping spree!
4. Use decorations for gifts. I know this sounds weird, so hear me out. Search Pinterest for “ornament gifts” and see what pops up – lots of creative ideas showing you how to gift ornaments! You can get them for half off after Christmas, or you can get them for cheap right before Christmas if you shop sales… decorate them and you have gifts for teachers, extended family, and friends.
5. Use or Gift discounted gift cards. Shop online for discounted gift cards (make sure the sites you’re using are legit). If you spend $50 on a $70 gift card, you’ve easily saved $20!
6. Get cash back. Have you used sites like ebates? If so, you’ll know that you can earn cash back on your purchases – year round! The 2%, 4%, etc add up.
7. Do a gift exchange. Instead of buying for everyone in your extended family, or everyone at your office, set up a gift exchange where you swap names and buy a gift for one person. Imagine how much you could save following just this one tip!
