Think shopping for Christmas on a budget is the worst thing possible? Before you knock it lest see what a budget looks like.
Christmas is so much fun! Walking down the isles makes my heart smile and I want to take home all the decor. But shopping for Christmas on a budget… Well, that can make you feel a whole host of emotions.
Having a budget is not cheap or stingy. It is being responsible. Before you think there is no way you can shop for Christmas on a budget let me share with you some tips to make you feel better about it.
Put Blinders On To Stick With Your Christmas Budget
It is so easy to see what other people are doing and want to do everything too. In trying to do that, time and resources run out. It can bring on a lot of guilt and shame. Or the feeling of missing out on a good time because you can’t have what you have put in your mind as the ideal Christmas.
You have to put your blinders on when you are shopping for Christmas on a budget. Ignore what other people are doing and make YOUR Christmas the best it can be. People outside of your home don’t have any idea what you are doing for the holidays.
Here is a really helpful YTube video I found that would be helpful.
Make A List
Santa has a list so you need one too. Ok maybe that is silly but lists are a powerful tool for many reasons. You know exactly what you need so you don’t buy more then you should. You also can visually see how far you have gotten and have peace of mind that everything you needed is complete.
List everything out from food for the holiday meals, to gifts and décor. Having the Christmas shopping list will help you know what you need and will help you know what you are looking for at the store.
If you are like me and you don’t know what you need then you won’t buy anything at all. Then you have to go without something which is ok. But if there was a fun dessert or DIY you wanted to make and you don’t have what you need then you won’t do it. That does not make for a fun Christmas either.
It is ok to spend if you stick to the budget.
Start Early
This one might seem like a no brainer but so many people don’t do it. Make your Christmas shopping list early and here is why.
- You can shop without pressure to buy.
- You are able to wait for sales which will help you stick to your Christmas budget.
- You can beat the crowds and shops when you want to.
- Stock up throughout the year when you find gifts on sale.
- You can THINK! What! novel idea I know. There is nothing harder than trying to shop with people talking to you or getting impatient wanting to leave.
Keep A Of List What You Have Already
This is something that I see a lot of people mess up. Especially if they are a spender. You know who you are. You don’t know what you have so you will get another one “just in case” then you look at your stick and find you already have 5 of that food item.
Then that does not help you save money either.
Decide Your Total Budget For The Season
Do not set your budget for gifts, food, travel, ext before you decide how much you can afford for the total amount.
Spending $20 per gift might not sound like much but when you add it all up. Then pay for food, travel, wrapping, and other random things that pull you in. You could be looking at more then you realized even if you are a frugal person.
Set A Dollar Amount Gift Limit
If you are a spender and you love to get people things you need to set a limit for how much you can actually spend. Or have you ever been here? You see THE one really cute thing you want to buy for one kid then you try to get everyone else’s gifts up to the same value? Yeah, good luck with that.
If you need to make your money go even further try to shop for the value, not just the price tag. If something was $15 but you got it on sale for $10 then it is ok to count that gift as $15.
Kick Your Shopping For Christmas On A Budget Guilt To The Curb
Know that you don’t have to share your budget with anyone other than your spouse.
Here is something else I want you to know. If you are sticking to a budget to make your life better. Like paying for school, getting out of debt or something that is not a selfish thing. Like I just don’t want to spend money on other people. The people on the receiving end of your gift are not going to care. They want to support you and want you to be smart with your money.
So kick that Christmas gift budget guilt to the curb and get the gifts you can afford.
Have a hunter in your life. Shop this collection of gift ideas for Christmas.
Shopping The Sales
When you know what you are looking for it is much easier to shop the sales. I found this app through the YouTube video I shared earlier in the post.
The app/online site is called Shoptagr
You can add your favorite products to the app and or chrome extension chose what discount you want to be notified for. Then you can choose email or get the phone app and be notified there.
Chose the discount you want to be notified for.
Window Shop
I don’t like to shop “just because.” When I find something I want but don’t have the money for it or its not in the budget it is disappointing so why tempt myself right?
So most often I don’t go unless I have money to spend. But In the Youtube video, I shared the reasoning made sense. It helps you get an idea of what is out there and then you know what you are looking for.
Plus I also think this will help you know what is a good price for something.
Cash Only
I don’t care if you don’t have a credit card or not. Take the amount of cash you want to spend and leave your cards in the car.
I don’t have a credit card but I am bad about moving money out of my savings account to pay for something. Because I can do it from that little handy device in my back pocket. Don’t become your own credit lending company.
Wrap your Christmas gifts to look amazing here on this post.
Know What Causes You To Spend
Know what makes you what to spend money and avoid it like the plague. Is it food deals, clothing, home décor? What is your weakness?
We all have that one thing that makes us what to hand over our money. You may not know what yours is but see if you can figure it out.
Don’t want to forget this information? Save it to your favorite Pinterest board with the image below so you can find it later.
