Tips To Save During The Holidays

jeffrey · #1 (**permalink**) 04-07-2004, 08:07 AM

Holiday Saving Tips...

Buy seasonal holiday supplies and cards the day after the holiday or season is over and save them until the next year. Shopping after a holiday ends can save you 50% to 90% over what you would have had to pay the week before.
Make your own greeting cards on the computer instead of buying them. Most computers today come with a program already installed for doing this.

kathsew4u · #2 (**permalink**) 07-30-2004, 07:35 PM

There are so many ways to save for the holidays. Of course you should be buying gifts all year around when on sale. Or making them with whatever talents you have. Give coupons of service, whether a pastry once a month or whatever they would like.

PrincessPerky · #3 (**permalink**) 09-17-2005, 04:47 AM

Most years after chirstmas in January we go to a couple stores and buy some majorly reduced stuff, usually kids toys, like legos. Every year I hate the stockpile taking up so much room in my cuboard that cannot be used till next christmas....BUT last night we did the 'see what we have and make the need list' I love being DONE with the neices and nephews! The need list is pretty short actually

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PFJournal · #4 (**permalink**) 09-17-2005, 05:06 AM

Secret Santa's are a great idea. Particularly for young people with their friends.

flash · #5 (**permalink**) 11-07-2005, 09:17 AM

Turn your unused freebies into collections for gift baskets.

Turn scraps into great gifts. For example, left over fabric and the cardboard backing of paper pads become beautiful crafted journals and scrapbooks. Toss in stickers, pens, other scrapbook freebies, and you have a gift for any occasion.

BTW, we did these kinds of things to earn money for a charity. The "hottest" selling items...animal gift baskets and sets. Actually took a nice leftover fabric and made a 3x5 doggie pillow. Hottest item around, seems that people with huge dogs can't find beds the dogs like...

flash · #6 (**permalink**) 11-07-2005, 10:06 AM

Oh, does anyone have a "cookie exchange" with themselves? EVERYONE wants a cookie/candy variety plate, so make all the cookies, candy, etc. yourself, divide it, take what you need for your own family, and use the rest as gift platters, sell it at a bazaar, etc. Homeade divinity, fudge, almond roca, almond joys, etc. sell really well!

megny · #7 (**permalink**) 11-12-2005, 02:24 PM

I'm making pillowcases for a few of my relatives. They only take me about . . . an hour or two to make but they are absolutely adorable! And you can buy good quality fabric for pretty cheap at craft stores if you wait for a coupon. If you like to sew, pillowcases are fun and easy!

german0955 · #8 (**permalink**) 11-23-2005, 05:30 PM

wow I like the cookie exchange idea ! thanks

the way I try and save is to buy stuff online (no tax) and use ebates or fatwallet for rebates on purchases, pay with Citi Rewards card to rack up gift cards at the Olive Garden to give away as gifts. Also use coupons and try and hit the sales with coupons. I think if you plan your purchases you have a better shot at saving $$$.

I love to give, so this time of year is fun for me.

Razzy · #9 (**permalink**) 01-04-2006, 08:44 AM

I saved money this last Christmas by buying a lot of my lil one's Christmas presents during the year and by buying a lot of stuff from the dollar bins at local stores.

I also saved money by not buying wrapping paper, I wrapped a lot of presents in the comic pages and held them together using raffia ( did not use any tape). I also made a lot of fabric gift bags and used those for a lot of the gifts too.

Razzy

ScrimpAndSave · #10 (**permalink**) 06-11-2008, 03:06 AM

Great tips...thanks!

slimsr2003 · #11 (**permalink**) 06-11-2008, 01:50 PM

The easiest and least financially stressful Christmas we have ever had was when we started shopping for presents in October. It probably cost us just as much but, the pain was spread out over the months leading up to Christmas. This year we are trying something different, we have been saving $100 a month in a separate account to spend on Christmas. I will try to let you know how it goes.

Sincewe are talking about saving for christmas, I just wanted to plug a YouTube contest being put on by an online savings bank, FNBO Direct call the Pay Yourself First Challenge. This could be a great way for people to get some new ideas on how to save money for christmas for their kids. If you are so inclined and want to join the challenge check out the web page at: pyfchallenge.com and submit your video to the group page on YouTube. There are prizes awarded just for submitting a video to the challenge, and there is a chance to have your savings matched dollar for dollar up to five thousand dollars. Anyway, check it out you never know.