Strategies for Holiday Shopping on a Budget

Here are some strategies for making your money go farther when shopping for the holidays.

1. Compare Prices. This one step could mean the difference of a few dollars, but every dollar counts. Go to comparison sites online as well as check the sale circulars in your local Sunday paper. You do not have to pay the first price you see, but with pre-planning you can find the lowest prices and plan your shopping ahead of time.

2. Barter and Trade Services for Goods. Consider trading your service or expertise with someone who has what you need. Talk to everyone you know about your plan and ask if they know someone who would be willing to trade. If you have computer skills, you might trade cleaning up their computer in exchange for three gift baskets from a gift basket designer. The possibilities are endless.

3. Make a List of What You Want to Buy Early and Stick With a Certain Dollar Amount. Make a list, check it twice, and do it early. Planning ahead of time can save a lot of money. Have a set dollar amount to spend on each gift or for all gifts. You will stay within your budget and combined with comparing prices, you could come out with quite a few very nice gifts.

4. Agree to Limit Gift Giving to One or Two Gifts Each. How many times do we overload the kids on gifts that get broken the very same day or within a week? We even do this with other family members too. So decide to limit gift giving to just one or two gifts for the kids in your family and just one for your significant other.

5. Put Together Gift Baskets for a Family. In the spirit of limiting the gifts you give, consider giving family gift baskets to your extended family instead of individual gifts. This keeps the cost down and may foster closer family relationships. The basket could be a game or movie along with a box of popcorn, simple bowls, and matching cups from the dollar store or other discount store. Decorate it nicely and deliver on Christmas day.

Shopping for the Holidays doesn’t have to be expensive with a little pre-planning. Keep the gifts simple and limiting them are very good strategies. Try it this year and see the difference in your bank account and on the faces of your loved ones.

My parents were like these organizations. They provided ample ways for our family to help others while at the same time helping us fall in love with the act of giving. So, as the holiday season gets under way, I want to share a few ways you can teach your children to fall in love with the act of giving as well.

Service and giving can have many different recipients: self, family, friends, pets, neighbors, community, the world, etc. Part 1 of my “Teaching Children to Give” series focuses on those right around you—your neighbors.

Neighbors are a vital part of the community in which you live. They often are the people you see at common places in your life—at the grocery store, at church service, at your kids’ school, at volunteer activities, at community events, and more. Showing appreciation for them and teaching your children the importance of valuing them is not only important, but can be fun!

Baking reindeer cookies is a tradition I started with my two boys several years ago. My mother in law shared the recipe with me and helped us bake our first batch. Now, my family bakes these every Thanksgiving holiday weekend and takes them around to our neighbors to kick off the holiday season with a bang!

Check out this Whrrl story for more pictures and detailed steps on how to make them!

If you join or log in to Whrrl, please comment and share your fun holiday giving traditions too!