Comments on: 7 Things You Can Do Today to Make the Most of Your Christmas Budget

By: Anne

Anne — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 18:18:30 +0000

Years ago, I grabbed some fabric and stitched up gift bags. You can easily recycle any type of fabric from your ’stash’, old clothes, linens, etc. With a serger, you can create dozens in an hour. Simply stitch up the bag, inserting a piece of ribbon in the side seam about 2 inches from the top, serge the top, fold it over and stitch down. I could write more detailed instructions if you want them! But, the fabric bags are completely re-usable and still allow the recipient the fun of un-wrapping their gift.

By: Holly

Holly — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 11:46:36 +0000

My family has always done this, but now, with money being tighter and the environment on everyone’s mind, I recommend more people consider this: Ask Santa to NOT wrap presents. Think of the time, energy, and money all those elves spend on wrapping! And think of the trash you put to the curb afterward! It’s a wonderful thing, and really gives those elves a break during a very hectic time! I’m sure they enjoy the holiday more because of it!

By: Rachell

Rachell — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:44:47 +0000

My husband and I budget money every month for Christmas. We do not do a traditional Christmas club. Instead it is part of our envelope budget system. This is helpful, in case we see something on clearance through the year we can purchase it then and stash the gift away until Christmas.
Also, in our extended family, we only buy gifts for the children. Adults either draw names from a hat on Thanksgiving evening and do a traditional gift exchange or, as we did last year, play a game (Nasty Santa) with the exchange gifts. We always do a preset spending limit and the adults do their gift exchange on Christmas Eve… makes for a great party!

By: katy

katy — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 23:53:07 +0000

I also will get toys from craigslist. My daughter is 20 months old, and has no clue if something is new or not, nor does she care. Toys are just as fun even if someone else has played with them before. Usually they just need a good wipe-down. Tons of money saved!

By: Remy

Remy — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:28:14 +0000

Get Christmas Gifts for FREE – Swap you unused gifts for new ones or barter services for goods or other services!!! I still have timeless gifts from years back that I have never used and still in the packaging: body care basket, home goods, etc. I swap anything on http://www.toolzdo.com/, it’s multiple privacy settings, interactive member profiles and local access to goods makes it the safest and easiest place to swap. May as well put them to good use instead of letting them collect dust. Choose which gifts your recycle very wisely, so not to hurt anyone’s feelings.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:51:18 +0000

Last year I scored a great gift for my 2 year old neice by shopping the after Halloween sales. She enjoyed modeling her Snow White dress on Christmas morning!

By: Brenda Estacio

Brenda Estacio — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 01:31:14 +0000

Looking for a great gift idea or stocking stuffers for family and friends, the new fantasy novel, “Gateway to DreamWorld,” was released last month and has been receiving rave reviews.

During the cold months ahead, they will curl up in a warm blanket or in front of the fireplace and enter a fantasy world filled with excitement and suspense.

The book is listed on Amazon.com, Barnes&Nobles.com, and Powell’s Books.com

By: Anne

Anne — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 21:56:04 +0000

It might be a bit late for this year, but I always shop the uber-clearances after the back-to-school sales. You can pick up all sorts of stocking stuffers for children such as markers, crayons, cute pencils, etc. I always get multi-packs of tape at a ridiculous price. Teachers also appreciate getting a mid-year restock of classroom supplies instead of another apple shaped gift. At the after Christmas sales, I try to find solid colored wrapping paper that can be used all year. I’m still using up paper I picked up at 90% off two years ago! Don’t forget red containers that can be used for Valentine’s Day. Or green if you want small St. Patty’s Day gifts. I give ornaments to a lot of people every year, so I always buy those when they are 80 to 90% off and save for the next year. Grocery stores & office supply stores are great place to pick up gifts that are clearanced out, as well as tape, etc. I’ve found that those types of stores mark them down quicker and better earlier than other stores.NOW is the time to pick up holiday items at the dollar store. You can pick up cute containers to fill with that sale Halloween candy!

By: meech t

meech t — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 21:11:49 +0000

I love all of the tips on this website! I check this site everyday and learn lots of new things! Thanks!

By: andrea

andrea — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 18:40:44 +0000

We have not only Christmas but birthdays for two of my sons in late November and one daughter in early January!! So I have to start early.

By: Roxana

Roxana — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 16:10:36 +0000

* oops, I meant they are running a promotion on their Electric Orange CHECKING account! Sorry!

By: Roxana

Roxana — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 16:09:56 +0000

Hi, I’m new to this website but I just wanted to let you know that I love learning from you! Also, maybe you could post this as an edit to tip # 1, since I’m sure lots of mom’s could benefit from an extra $50. ING Direct is running a promotion on their Electric Orange Savings Accounts, and they give you a $50 account bonus if you meet certain conditions. The bonus is deposited after 50 days, so if people open the accounts now, they should get the $50 near Christmas!

http://www.ingdirect.com/electric50/

By: Jene

Jene — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 15:06:21 +0000

I try to give “experience” gifts. I look for coupons on restaurant.com and then go to the restaurant and get a menu or copy. To me packaging is everything, so I make it suitable to the gift, sometimes it’s “green” like wrapping the gift in a kitchen towel, other times it’s in a funky package I’ve gotten throughout the year. I’ve been known to buy a plastic beach pail and put a gift certificate and goodies from a local “islands-type” restaurant.

By: sherri

sherri — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 13:14:32 +0000

I shop after Halloween clearance sales for candy (that is not wrapped in Halloween wrappers or colors.) The candy makes great stocking stuffers. I also put some in sandwich size ziploc baggies with Christmas stickers on it for my husband to bring to work. He brought in close to 40 last year. At 75-90% off, this was affordable.

By: John DeFlumeri Jr

John DeFlumeri Jr — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 09:38:44 +0000

You are right to remind us of the upcoming holidays, and the ways we can save BIG. I thank you for this.

John DeFlumeri Jr

By: wendy

wendy — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 02:40:49 +0000

I’ve started purchasing movie gift cards for the kids in my family. Ten dollars covers a kid ticket and a movie meal. Easy and really inexpensive compared to a $20 per kid budget! Plus, my kids LOVE getting them;)

By: Kristen

Kristen — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 01:38:40 +0000

I love the holidays, my parents love to get calendars with pictures of my girls on it. Up untill the other year I always bought one that you slid the pictures in. Now I create one publishing software and email it to my local print shop all complete. They print it at $.39 a color sheet plus $2.00 for binding. So I get a great calendar for under $10.00 verses 17.99.

By: Denisse @ The Coupon Chica

Denisse @ The Coupon Chica — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 00:00:41 +0000

I do exactly the same thing! Also, to save paper and boxes this year, I’ve been collecting shoe boxes from our shoe purchases (not many this year) ;) to wrap up for this Christmas, so people can save them and use them again next year! My family and friends think it’s a great idea!

By: terri rice

terri rice — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 23:20:44 +0000

I love finding the deals after Christmas on cards & wrapping paper and such. Basically, it’s put right up for a whole year and it’s fun when it’s time to get your ’stuff’ out and you have all these new items you forgot you bought a year before!!