Want a simple tip to help you save money on Christmas gifts all year long? Well, have I got the episode for you. I’m sharing the one thing I do to save time and money each and every year. And…it really is simple. Ready to find out what it is? If so, let’s get started.
Links for This Episode
- Check out these DIY Resources and Templates
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Podcast Episode Recommendations
- #37: How to Make the Last 31 Days Successful
- #34: 7 Simple Ways to Save Money This Holiday Season
- #31: So You Can’t Afford Christmas This Year, Now What?
- #30: How to Create and Stick to a Holiday Budget
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1 Simple Way To Save on Christmas Gifts All Year Long
Well hey there and welcome back to the Financial Fix Up Podcast. I’m your host, Sarah Brumley, and today I wanted to give you my favorite method for saving money on Christmas gifts and stocking stuffers all year long. And you can use this for holiday related items or for other little gifts – like birthday parties – but it’s seriously saved me so much time and money over the years and I wanted to offer it to you with the hope that you might be able to use it as well. And sure, this is coming as we are in the thick of the holiday season, but it’s never too early to start saving for the upcoming year. And who knows, if you are listening to this in real time, you might just find an idea to help you out with this year!
So, what’s my #1 tip? Have a tote earmarked for Christmas gifts that you use year round. I recommend it not be a see-through tote because you probably don’t want your entire family to see all of the gift options for the year. Mark it something like “photo albums” or “old notebooks” so that it’s not tempting for someone to get into it.
Once you’ve done that, you can begin adding things to the tote over the course of the year. I do this consistently using three methods.
Save the Freebies
The first, I save all the freebies that come with purchases. For example, I subscribe to a beauty box here and there – it’s not all the time – but when I do receive a box, everything that I don’t personally plan to use goes into my gift tote. Then, when it comes time for Christmas stockings, I can go through that tote and figure out which items will work for each person. Likewise, sometimes stores give out “freebies” when you purchase items (like a $5 gift card for spending a certain amount, or the ability to “get another item free”). So, when those deals come along, I put my free items in the gift tote as well.
Buy One Get One
The second thing I focus on is looking for buy one get one deals. And this could apply to gifts in general, but I like it especially for stocking items like toothbrushes and toothpaste. Sure, if there’s a sale on toothbrushes and I need one, then I’m going to grab one but if I can also get one free? Then I might not need that toothbrush now, but it’s going to save me money when it comes time to fill those stockings. Toothbrushes are obviously a big thing for our family stockings, but for you it might be something different. The same could ring true for fuzzy socks, gloves, and so much more. So, keeping an eye out for those deals has really helped me save money – not to mention time during the busy holiday season when the last thing I want to be doing is standing in line at the store to purchase toothbrushes.
Repurpose Gifts
The third way I maximize this gift tote is by repurposing gifts I don’t need. And this might sound a little crazy, but I’m sure we’ve all be recipients of gifts that either aren’t our style or we just don’t need one more of in our home, so my gift tote is one of the ways that I’m able to repurpose those things. Now, word to the wise – you certainly don’t want to give the same gift to the person that gave it to you, so make sure you mark the item – a post it note will do – so that you know who it came from in case you choose to re-gift it.
How Will You Save on Christmas Gifts?
So there you have it – my really so simple it’s stupid way to save on Christmas gifts all year long. The tote. And like I said, don’t go out and buy a new one if you don’t have to, but if you do, maybe you’ll look at it as an investment toward all of the savings you’ll have next year at this time. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?
And speaking of saving for the year ahead, if you’re in need of a budget and you don’t have one in place just yet – don’t forget to grab your copy of the Financial Fix Up Budget Planner. For less than $20 you’ll have everything you need to identify your goals for the year ahead, create monthly budgets, track your savings and spending, and even maximize your meal planning and grocery shopping strategy. And – even better – you can download it immediately and reuse it for years to come. So, grab yours today at lemonblessings.com/planner.
Whatever you decide, just know that I’m cheering you on! You’ve got this! Have an amazing day and I’ll chat with you again next time!
