8 Responses

1. Sherrie B

   December 18th, 2009 at 6:52 am

   1

   Dollar store! Honestly, something in their for everyone all at a very low cost of $1.14 canadian!
   I stopped shopping big a couple of years ago, now I buy xmas gifts from there or a combination of things from there into crafts and illustrations.

2. Kiki-la - Is THE Athetit

   December 18th, 2009 at 1:35 pm

   2

   First off, over the years we have pared down significantly who we buy for. We have stopped buying for friends because that just gets outrageous. We only buy for family, and only for immediate family (in total, we buy for his parents, his aunt and uncle, his two grandmas, my mom, my brother and his wife, and my niece). My favorite cousin and I exchange *small* gifts.
   I sit down every year and figure out what my budget will be. This is determined by extra paychecks (my husband gets paid weekly so occasionally there will be 5 checks in one month and so on) and savings and other things… we don’t go outrageous. We spend the same amount on people every year, and always the most on parents (actually, the most on eachother!). What is leftover is split in half and that’s what we spend on eachother.
   I find it best to keep close track of what you are buying and try not to go over your budget. I know it’s hard to do, but it’s the thought that counts, not the number of gifts or how much you spend.

3. sprite

   December 18th, 2009 at 3:08 pm

   3

   Set a spending limit for each person on your list. For your family you can set a higher limit but, for friends and co-workers I would set a limit of up to $20. You can get a good quality box of chocolates and something small for around $10-$15.
   Use dollarstores and other stores that are cheaper.
   Don’t go over the limit you set.
   When you see a sale on the item you want to buy then go and get it while it is on sale.
   Start now planning what you are going to get each person.
   Have a list when you go to the store and stick to the list.
   Start shopping now and look around for bargains.
   If all else fails get the person a gift card or give money in a card.

4. Wordpress Autoblogging Plugin

   December 18th, 2009 at 3:25 pm

   4

   Do a budget and STICK WITH IT! Ussually budgets fail if you don’t. I have set my budget and I am sticking with it. My sister is kind of broke and she has told me she isnt giving anyone anything but for me X-Mas is not about receiving so I plan to get someone a lil something. I too want to get my co-worker a lil something to show my appreciation at walmart yesterday I saw cute little carrying cases with youre manicure set for $4.88 it’s a bargain also I saw Journal Pads for about $2.00 I plan on getting them something like that. Just do a realistic budget and stick by it dont go over what you have set for that person because that how you blow youre christmas budget.

5. Mari

   December 18th, 2009 at 8:10 pm

   5

   Set a budget EARLY in the year and sock away some money, or buy some gifts, every month.
   Our income isn’t any higher now than it was several months ago, and I certainly couldn’t afford a lot of nice presents if I’d waited this late to start saving for them! And, by buying them throughout the year, I can take advantage of sales.
   By getting a few every month, it makes it much easier than trying to come up with a bunch of money now!

6. Clare

   December 19th, 2009 at 12:39 am

   6

   be realistic, & if you see a novel idea as a gift see if their are cheaper ways to get the same gift. once you have found your budget stick with it. its when you get carried away with the ” oh well it is christmas” attitude that spending will spiral out of controll.

7. wonderin

   December 19th, 2009 at 4:18 am

   7

   i would set an overall budget, and go from the most special person – i.e lover/kids/mother/father to the people you want to buy something for but know you really cant afford!! You can buy some lovely cheap things now adays.
   Or get a catalouge, ive bought most of my presents out of a catalouge, that way they can have that little bit more because i can pay over a few months not just one.
   good luck hun x

8. lisadepo

   December 19th, 2009 at 4:24 am

   8

   right down a list and stick to it.