| Reader Submitted Frugal Christmas Tips |
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Take cuttings from houseplants to make new plants that can be given away as gifts or give bulbs to force during winter months. My children LOVE books. Books are always at the top of the list for Santa Claus. As you know, a trip to Barnes and Noble can cost an arm and a leg, even if you are just purchasing four childrens books. Quite frankly, although I, too, could not live without books, it’s just not financially possible to buy all those new books for Christmas. So, throughout the year, I always look for opportunities for buying gently used books. For example, my daughter recently discovered Junie B. Jones. I had found a few of these books at a garage sale and she couldn’t put them down. So, I posted at the Frugal Village that I was looking for gently used Junie B. Jones books, and created a list of the ones that we didn’t have. I got two responses right away, and for only a few dollars, I now have 8 Junie B. Jones books that Julia will be getting from Santa Claus. Because they are so gently used, she won’t evn realize that they aren’t new. When I see a garage sale, I always stop and check out whatever books they are selling. As long as they are in generally good condition, I will pick up a few and put them in my secret Christmas hiding space. About half of what my children get for Christmas are books, and through shopping for second-hand books, I am able to finance this part of their wishlist without breaking the bank. by Amy Here’s how I do Christmas without going into debt. First of all, I have three children. I do shop garage sales and buy used books online to supplement their Christmas wishes, but I also like to get them new things as well. I know, from experience, how very easy it is to whip out the credit card, plunk it down, and sign your name without even batting an eye. So, a few years ago, I decided to do an all cash Christmas. Starting in about April, I began putting aside any extra cash that I had in a little tin. Every time I got a rebate check, made a little extra cash from piano or tutoring, I put it in the tin. Then, I started doing my Christmas shopping as I found things on sale and paid w/the cash I had been putting away. By the time Christmas rolled around, I was all set and hadn’t charged a thing. It was wonderful to not feel that post-Christmas anticipation of receiving the American Express bill! by Amy What I do for xmas since money is always so tight and our family being mostly all girls I go to Flea Markets and yard sales during the summer and get bath and body products (new of course) minis, samples and full size products and make a gift basket with them for the girls. I also sign up for freebies and put them in the baskets as well, I received a really nice cosmetics case this year that I will give to 1 of the girls. For my mom since she loves Mary Moo Moo items I specifically look for those items at the flea markets and yard sales too, this year I got a Mary Moo figurine (authentic) and a Mary Moo stuffed cow (authentic) which is the same as the figurine just a stuffed animal instead for only $1! I couldn't believe it. I also got her a brand new still sealed Cow paper set for $1, can you tell she loves cows? For my step-father (Moms DH) he loves like wizards and dragon items so I look for those figurines at the flea markets and yard sales, this year I got a set of wizard and dragon figurines for $1! Also, this year and what I try to do every year is barter, I did a logo for someone's website and in exchange I received 3 bath and body gift baskets/kits that I will also give away this xmas to a few of the girls. For the boys, which isn't as easy I still look at the flea markets or yard sales for clothing and stuff that are brand new with tags, I usually try to stay under $2 per item and I am a great haggler, lol I also got health care items new in boxes there as well for them, ie; deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shaving gel, razors, you know "guy" stocking stuffers, Everyone is always amazed of how much I spend on xmas and I don't use credit cards I can honestly say that I am DONE with Christmas shopping this year and I only spent approx. $40 for 15 people, that includes Hubby, DD, DS1, DS2, Step daughters (4), 2 nieces, mother, step-father, and 2 of the step-daughters boyfriends/fiancé and my best friend in New York. Something new I tried this year is swapping, I swapped a GameCube for my daughter for Xmas for some perfumes I had purchased that I never used and although they cost me money in the beginning I didn't have to spend anything while doing the swap just the cost of postage (and by the way I had $15 free postage from Stamps.com.) I also swapped some eye shadows I hadn't used that were brand new in the box for a Brand New Sony CD player that is being given to my son for Christmas. For the younger children I go to this place called 5Below, everything is $5 and under, I got my 2 nieces and diary type game for $5! For my DH I make him a special booklet that good for Free Massage, Free Breakfast in Bed, we try to keep our spending down so we just make each other something special. As for my best friend, she's totally into Scrapbooking, so I went to the Dollar Store and got her 3 Scrapbooking kits for $3! I have managed to keep my frugality when shopping and resist the temptation of using my credit card, my motto is "It's the thought that counts, and who knows where I go it." Christmas is to me the look on their face when they open their gifts and seeing the joy on their faces. You don't have to spend a fortune on Christmas or any other holiday for that matter, being frugal and cutting costs doesn't mean you don't care, it means you do. While my tips and tricks for keeping costs down on Christmas aren't that special, I am proud of myself, I just can't say how much I've changed in my frugal ways, I love being cheap and a bargain hunter! by Tracy Mejias
I buy canning jars large and small at garage sales during the year. Then I buy paper clips, packages, of pens, rubberbands, post its or paper/office supplies at Big Lots, Ollies, Dollar stores, and split them all up and put into the canning jars for teacher's gifts. I also, cut strips of stickers for students papers and put into it also. Get some cheap fabric swatches at discount store and make a little bow, and that is the frugal teacher's gifts, from Traci Sanders
I have a large family and a small budget. Every year right after Christmas I start collecting free samples offered on and offline. By the time Christmas arrives, I have enough stuff to fill 8 baskets overflowing. AND IT DIDN'T COST ME A DIME! There are so many things you can find for free! By Michelle H.
All year 'round we send away for and "squirrel" away "freebies" and articles that are "shipping costs only" to be used as "stocking stuffers". We have always done this for our children growing up, and now for their families. Now that we are retired, we have to scale back our Holiday spending, but don't want to reduce the fun. This way, we can still give surprises to everyone on a small budget. We use a Holiday bag for each, rather than a stocking, and fill it with these individually wrapped "goodies". By Dianne F.
Gift Basket Idea:
Book Gift Bag - I have done this for small children, but it will work for all ages, just by changing the books:
Book or book(s), Box or assorted packets of Hot Chocolate Mix (could substitute flavored coffee samples for adults), a warm soft throw or blanket, microwave popcorn, and personalized book mark(s). Actual books could be substituted with a "book on tape or cd". By Toni R.
Being a single mom, I have always had to be frugal at Christmas. I have found that people appreciate homemade items more than something that was bought last minute at the store. I work on Christmas all year, keeping a notebook of things that the people I love have mentioned that they like.
Each gift is made especially for that person- with a "giftbasket" theme. I cross-stitch special designs either for the matching bathroom towels, or basket liner for the kitchen. I then get some baskets, line the baskets and buy little items throughout the year for that theme. The whole key to being frugal is watching for deals throughout the whole year. by Patti D
Frugal Tip: My children make various ornaments (this year it will be sleds made of popsicle sticks) for the Grandparents. It saves money and they don't end up with a gift they really didn't need. They always cherish and keep the ornaments. It's neat to look at the tree each year, and see past years creations. by April G.
My idea for a frugal holiday is to have a gift exchange were every one brings in items in good condition that they never use or have out grown use of such as toaster oven you never use , the perfume you do not like and so on. By Dorothy L.
I make a lot of items from pinecones. They are free and plentiful in my area. Pinecone wreaths, ornaments and baskets. by Katt L.
I reuse Christmas bags every year!!! Saves time and money. By Jo Ann F.
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