Do you often feel overwhelmed in January? You're sitting there looking over your credit card statements and realizing that you'll probably be paying for Christmas until next Christmas. Why? Why do we put ourselves through this year after year? Spending thousands of dollars on Christmas doesn't make it more special. All it really does is suck the happiness right out of the holiday. When you overspend, you're left worrying about the bills. This year, why not avoid overspending on Christmas gifts?
Set a Budget
First things first. You want to set a budget of how much you want to spend on gifts. Consider your current expenses and what you can truly afford without resorting to the use of credit cards. You can then look at each person on your list and decide how much you want to spend on him or her. Remember, you don't have to spend the same amount on each person. Spend what you can afford.
Start Shopping Early
Another great tip is to start shopping NOW. Don't wait until December to start shopping. Not only are many of the hottest gifts sold out, but the malls are a nightmare. If you start shopping a couple months before the big day, you can take your time and find awesome deals.
Shop Sales
Yes, Black Friday is the biggest shopping day of the year, but it's not the only time to score great deals. You can find amazing sales throughout November and December. Check the sales papers of your favorite stores and purchase items that would make great gifts for the people on your list.
Compare Prices
When you're looking at sales, especially Black Friday sales, you want to make sure you're comparing prices. While a price may seem like a great deal, you may find that another store has it for 10% less. You may also be able to find the item online for even cheaper.
Raid Your Gift Closet
If you're the type that likes to squirrel away gifts throughout the year, check your gift closet before you go shopping. Chances are you already have several great gifts in there. This is an especially great place to find items for those last minute gifts you didn't know you needed.
Stop Feeling Obligated
Last, but not least, if you get a gift from someone you weren't expecting to get a gift from, don't feel obligated to give that person something in return. If you simply must give them something, don't go into debt to do so.
Christmas isn't about gifts, yet we spend more on Christmas gifts than many of us care to admit. If you're tired of paying for gifts long after the holiday is over, try these tips.
Kathryn
A budget made all the difference for me in my Christmas shopping last year. There are some great printables around the web that make it so simple to organize. Not only was I financially better off, but the organization of planning out gifts made things so much less stressful. I wish I had planned ahead more this year though!