Ways to save money this holiday season

[Christophercarl]

What's everyone doing to save money this holiday season? Cutting back on the number of people you buy presents for? Putting $ limits on presents?

I want to go out and hit up some of the sales around town but I don't want to spend money on things that I don't need.

[Like2Plan]

We save for Christmas all year long. And, it is DH and my favorite time of the year because we get to splurge a little. It is a planned expense in our budget, so we are not planning any reductions.

I know some people don't particularly like to give gift cards, but gift cards are really great for staying on budget. It also helps with buying for family a long ways away because S&H for big packages can really add to the cost! Another advantage is the recipient can often take advantage of after Christmas sales and purchase something they really want (instead of something I think they want and they have to exchage ). So, I expect to be doing quite a few gift cards again this year.

[rob62521]

Planning is the way to save...
The day after Christmas I hit the sales to buy Christmas cards, bags, and wrap for the next year. I also buy a lot of things that are marked down like kitchen towels, candles, etc.
We also open up a Christmas Club account and put money in it throughout the year. Better than having debt.

[PrincessPerky]

We have been on ' budget' Christmas for years, so this one is no different.

[rob62521]

I hear you Princess...for years my "friends" have ridiculed me over my "frugal" ways and now these ways are the accepted ways to save money!

[MonkeyMama]

Not at all - we don't spend much on Christmas - and we spread out the shopping through the year.

[scfr]

"Not at all" here too, for the reasons that PrincessPerky and Monkeymama already stated.

[fruitbowlk]

This year I'm Only shopping for my dd and maybe dh. And it will all be under $100.

[disneysteve]

I think the results are going to be greatly skewed by the people being asked. Most of us here are, or at least strive to be, responsible with our money. We don't shop for sport or spend money frivolously. We save and plan ahead.

I voted "not at all" but in reality, we may well spend more than last year by the time we're done, but it will all be done without racking up any credit card debt. Purchases will be charged and paid in full when the bill comes. Other gifts will be bought online with credits earned doing surveys, so there will be no out-of-pocket cost for those things.

[m3racer]

Making a budget and sticking to it.

[Christophercarl]

I think the results are going to be greatly skewed by the people being asked. Most of us here are, or at least strive to be, responsible with our money. We don't shop for sport or spend money frivolously. We save and plan ahead.

Very true, I suppose asking people who are here to talk about frugality and saving money is not going to give a very representative sample.

Good to know what like-minded people are doing though. Thanks for all the replies!

[FrugalTexan75]

I may end up spending a little bit more this year, due to the fact that I'll be going out to CA for Christmas Day, etc. That means that I'll be expected to have something for people I don't normally get anything for. I'm trying to cover everyone as much as possible with gift cards from mypoints, and then supplement with some errr ... regifts of items I'll get from my bosses at work. (They always give nice things, but mostly stuff I really have no use for.)