How to spend less this Christmas

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It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Excuse me while I am starting to get ready for Christmas in November. By the time this blog post will be up, it’s end of November. So basically, it’s like December and Christmas is coming! While it is such an exciting part of the year, it can also be pretty expensive. I am going to share with you how to spend less this Christmas.

We all have different budgets and spending habits. I get it. Whether you are on a super tight budget or a generous one, we all like to save a little bit of money.

Before we continue, I want you to know that this is a part of my Christmas series for 2019. Here are the other posts:

It can get really expensive when you add all the cost up. To avoid that this Christmas, I am going to share with you some tips on how to spend less this holiday season.

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Contents

Here are 10 ways to spend less this Christmas:

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1. Set a budget and make a list

Before you go shopping or thinking about what to get for people, set a budget.

Think about how much you are comfortable in spending overall. Then, break it down to gifts, meals, and decorations.

This way, you will not be shocked at your credit card bill after Christmas is over.

Here are two ways YouTubers talk about setting a budget (I am not an affiliate):

Once you have set a budget, make a list of what you need to get and who you need to get gifts.

Writing it down on a piece of paper or on your phone helps you to not forget and also plan ahead.

2. Look at what you already have before buying duplicates

Have you bought the same thing or similar items twice before?

It is best to know what you have before you hit the stores. Make a rough list of what your kids already have, and what you have, before buying presents for everyone. This will deter you a little from buying the same thing again.

I said a little. Haha!

Sometimes, we find things that are really cute and we can’t help to be drawn to it. With the rough list in hand or on your phone, you will know what not to get. You can use the money to buy something else that is meaningful to your family or the receiver of your gift.

3. Use the same Christmas decoration as last year

Are you tempted like me to go into the stores and admire all their Christmas decorations? Sometimes, I wish that we have them at home too. However, to save some money on Christmas, I always decide just to reuse the same decorations as last year.

It might be boring to some people to use the same decorations. But, for us, these decor are only out on display for a month. I also tend to forget what we have in our Christmas box, so it’s like a surprise every year.

If you really want to do something different, you can go by the dollar store or wait for a deal to get accessories and ornaments to add onto your tree or fireplace.

You can also wait until after Christmas to get the best deals for decorations for next year’s Christmas. It’s much cheaper than buying them before Christmas and stores want to clear their stock.

4. Re-gift the gift bag and tissue paper you hoarded (I mean kept) from last year

You know how you kept all the gift bags and tissue paper from last year and through the year? No, is it just me?

Every time when we receive a gift in a bag, I would hoard, I mean keep, the bag and the tissue paper.

This is so that I can reuse it when I give a gift to someone else. Whether it is for a birthday or Christmas, now I do not need to run to the store to grab a bag unless I need a really big one or one that fits the theme.

So, if you are like me and keeps all the gift bags and tissue paper, you can now re-gift them to others. Just try to remember not to give to the person who gave it to you initially.

For this year’s gift bags and tissue paper, you can store them in a place where you can remember to re-gift for someone’s birthday or next Christmas.

5. Do a potluck instead of cooking everything yourself

Are you planning to invite family and friends over for a Christmas party? We love to spend some time with our family and friends over the holiday season. I’m sure you do too! It’s often fill with laughter and sometimes randomness. Kids surprise you all the time.

Instead of having to cook everything yourself or order takeout, why not have a potluck?

Every family or friend who is coming to your place can bring a dish. You can even allocate what type of dish to bring, such as appetizers, mains, or desserts.

It will help you have more time to prepare your home for the party and also lighten the amount of money you need to spend to feed everyone.

6. Visit the Christmas market on weekdays

In Toronto, where we live, the Christmas market is free on weekdays. If you are planning to visit the Christmas market near you, be sure to check their website whether they will charge an entrance fee.

The cost can add up, especially when you go with family or friends. Another cost will be food and gifts if you plan to buy them at the Christmas market.

Going when it is free will reduce your cost during this Christmas season.

7. Look into affordable Do-It-Yourself gift ideas

If you are a crafty person and would love to make DIY gifts, this could be a good option for you. However, it would be good to calculate how much it wold cost if you make it versus if you bought it.

Sometimes buying it might be cheaper than making it yourself. The cost of materials and equipment needed to make your gift can add up so you want to be cautious of that.

If you are interested in some DIY gift ideas, please feel free to check these out:

8. Take opportunity of sales and coupons

If you have a list of items you need to buy and have a bit of time before Christmas, look out for sales in the stores and also coupons to use.

For example, when Toys r’ us (in Canada) has a 15% off most items in the store, it included toys that are currently on sale. We took the opportunity to buy toys (that were already on sale) and got 15% off on top of the sale price. It was an amazing deal.

Be on a lookout for sales for the items that you want to get.

Also, if you know that some stores are willing to price match and give an extra 10% off based on the competitor’s price, that is a great deal for you. Do some research on the items that you are planning to buy and how you can save a little bit of money by price matching or waiting for a sale.

9. Visit the dollar store for gift wrapping papers and Christmas cards

The Dollar Tree or dollar store is a great place to go for gift wrapping papers and also Christmas cards. They only cost $1 (or $1.25 in Canada).

I got a box of 12 Christmas cards for $1.25. This is a lot cheaper than buying ones from bookstores or card stores.

Here are other Dollar store blog posts if you are interested:

It will save you a lot of money if you need to wrap a lot of gifts and give out cards with these gifts.

10. Buy a shared gift that everyone can enjoy instead of individual ones

Instead of buying every kid a gift, you can get one big gift for everyone to share. What does this mean?

It could be an experience where you go to bowling together or take a road trip to Niagara Falls. (You can book your one night stay at Airbnb or at a hotel, depending on what you are looking for).

Another option could be an activity that the family can enjoy together such as Family Feud or Scattergories.

You know your family best and can be creative in your gifting to them. Happy gifting!

Thanks for reading my tips on how to spend less this Christmas. Feel free to read my other Christmas post here:

If you like what you read, please pin the image below and share with others. Thank you so much. Have a safe and wonderful holiday!