The holidays are magical but also get expensive quickly between the gifts, decorations and parties. It is often a source of stress for many people, especially parents. Luckily, there are ways to save money this year during the holidays. These five tips are some ideas to help your family save money this year but keep the magic!
Re-Use Past Holiday Decorations
While it is fun to have new holiday decorations, remember that’s not what the holiday season is truly about. So, before you break the bank at Target purchasing new decorations each year, always bring them out and go through what you have from past years. After you see what works for this year’s decor planning, you can fill the holes with new decorations, if needed.
Create Traditions That Are Affordable
Family holiday traditions don’t have to break the bank to be fun and memorable! There are many things to do that are free or low-cost. A few ideas include:
- Drive around different neighborhoods to look at lights on all the houses.
- Enjoy a holiday movie marathon.
- Play various holiday-themed games, look some free ideas up online if you don’t have any.
- Create a holiday scavenger hunt and do it as a family.
Keep an Eye on Sale Items
Create a gift list on Amazon and check it daily. Many items often have deals on various days if you just keep an eye on that list. Once you see it hits a lower amount, purchase it then to lock in those savings!
Similarly, keep checking stores online where your children want certain gifts to see if any deals pop up.
Make Homemade Gifts
If you are a great crafter or baker, consider making a few homemade gifts this year for family, friends or co-workers. Utilize your talents to create something they will love but also helps save money.
Instead of buying gifts from the kids for your spouse, try making something with the kids that will be cherished for many years. Grandparents also usually love homemade gifts from their grandbabies!
Be Selective on Your Holiday Party Invites
In addition to getting expensive, the holiday season also gets overwhelming with the many time commitments it requires. It’s okay to say “no” to some holiday party invites. If you tend to go to all the parties, then maybe cut back this year. If you typically bring a hostess gift, this will help you save a little money, as well.
In contrast, if you typically host a holiday party, consider cutting back in some areas, like food. You can still put out a great spread, but keep it simple to avoid high costs. Buying in bulk is also a great way to save money for party supplies.
I hope these tips help you enjoy this holiday season with your family without stressing out too much about money!
