The last thing the holiday season should be is stressful, but let’s face it, most times it’s just that, stress-FULL.
Gift giving should bring us joy, but often it can feel like a burden, weighing down our budgets and our schedules. Here are my top 5 tips for giving fantastic frugal gifts while saving both time and money.
Buy all year.
Stocking a gift closet is my number one tip for saving both time and money. I keep an eye out all year for items I can gift later. The key to making this worthwhile is to either buy only with a specific person in mind or buy only classic, timeless items that most anyone would enjoy.
This is a great way to stock up on hostess gifts and also gives you an inventory to draw from for those unexpected gifts that pop up.
Shop during the week.
Shop during the week, preferably towards the first of the week and during off peak times. More preferably without children. At these times, the stores are far less crowded, merchandise is usually restocked AND the staff is usually more helpful.
This way you can browse, price compare and receive customer service in a relaxed atmosphere. You’ll get more done in a shorter amount of time and be less likely to make impulse purchases.
Shop online.
This is my favorite way to save time and money. With all the online competition nowadays, you’ll find great deals, plus you’ll be able to compare prices, hunt for coupon codes and snag free shipping. All while sitting in your pjs and sipping a latte.
Savings.com is a great place to find the latest promotions and coupon codes.
Amazon is one of my favorites for finding deep discounts and I love my FREE 2-day shipping as a Prime Member. You can score a Free 30-Day Trial to see if you like it!
Consider gift cards.
I don’t happen to be one of those people who think gift cards are impersonal. In fact, I prefer gift cards. They allow me to shop (which is what I love to do most) and get exactly what I like – without spending time in return lines or having to pretend I love something I don’t.
Not to mention, they can save the gift giver money! Many retailers offer promotions on gift cards during the holidays or you can buy them online at a percentage off by shopping on sites like Raise.com. You can also sell unwanted giftcards on this site and make extra money for your own holiday shopping.
Use my referral link to sign up for Raise.com and receive $5 to spend! Then you can refer your friends. When they sign up using your link, they’ll get $5 and so will you!
DIY handmade gifts.
Handmade gifts don’t have to be cheesy. Check out this Washi Tape Clipboard and Snowmen Candy Bar Basket I made for teacher gifts. They’re so cute and each cost less than $10.
You might also like my Homemade Heating Pad (with essential oils), DIY Photo Tile Coasters, DIY Pendant Necklace or DIY Storage Jars.
With the invention of Pinterest, it’s so easy to find fun DIY projects that are perfect for gift giving and will save your wallet too.
How do you give fabulously frugal gifts at this time of year?
You might also be interested in my tips on how to keep your Christmas budget in check!
