Everyone loves saving money, especially around the holidays. Now more than ever, we all need to find creative ways to make our money go further. These 10 money-saving tips will help make your pockets jingle this holiday season.
1. Use reusable gift wrap
Wrapping gifts is a fun way to put a little extra care into gifts – and of course, it adds an element of surprise. But wrapping paper, ribbons, and tape all add up, and are typically torn up in seconds before being tossed in the trash. Instead of disposable wrapping paper, try reusable alternatives like gift bags and tissue paper. Or, wrap larger presents in cloth and tie them with high-quality ribbon or cording that you can keep using year after year.
2. Cut down on your grocery bill
The holidays are a time to indulge in some of our favorite foods. But you don’t need to empty your wallet to create a fantastic feast for your family. Plan out your holiday meals, cookie baking, and other activities carefully and make the foods that are most important. Shop early for non-perishable items to take advantage of sales and use coupons when you can. And if you’re hosting a big meal, don’t be afraid to take people up on their offers to bring a dish or beverages, helping ease costs and your to-do list.
3. Visit with loved ones virtually
Getting together with friends and family is undoubtedly one of the best parts of holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. But, with travel costs increasing, you might be able to save some money by visiting with loved ones virtually. We spend so much time around the holidays rushing around from one place to another. Why not cut down on your travels and connect instead with video calls?
4. Cancel or pause subscriptions
There is so much to do and see during the holidays, and our regular routines tend to get upended a bit. You’ll probably spend less time using certain subscriptions, including everything from video streaming services to gym memberships. Look at your subscriptions and see which ones are essential, and which ones you might be able to pause. And of course, cancelling any subscriptions that you aren’t using to their full advantage is a no-brainer.
5. Decorate a “forever” tree
Natural Christmas trees are not only beautiful to look at, but they smell wonderful too! Unfortunately, they are a lot of work to take care of. Even if you water your tree multiple times a day to keep it fresh for as long as possible, the time will eventually come when the needles start falling off. That means LOTS of cleanup. And then of course, there’s the cost. Instead of incurring an annual expense by buying a new, natural Christmas tree every year, invest in a “forever” tree. In the United States, 85% of homes have artificial trees, so you don’t have to feel guilty about using a “forever” tree. And calling it a “forever” tree sounds a lot better than “artificial,” doesn’t it?
6. Limit spending on décor
Besides saving money on a Christmas tree, there are so many other ways to cut costs on holiday décor. We all have our favorite ways to decorate, and perhaps even particular festive items we collect over the years. But when it comes to buying new holiday décor, think carefully about how important it is and how likely you are to haul it out of storage every year. You can also save money by reducing the amount of decorations you put up that require electricity. Instead of decking all of your halls with lots of lights, find creative ways to get festive that aren’t going to drive up your electric bills!
7. DIY when it makes sense
This almost goes without saying, but it pays to do it yourself – sometimes. There are lots of times we can save money by making food at home or by crafting our own décor. But how many times have you wanted to prepare a recipe, only to get to the cash register and realize that you could’ve saved money by getting something readymade? The same goes with other DIY projects, from crafts to home repair and more. Before you start any DIY project, do some careful budgeting to determine if you’re actually saving money, or end up sinking a lot into one-time costs that you could otherwise avoid.
8. Focus on experiences, not things
Our little ones look forward to holidays like Christmas and Chanukah all year long because of the presents. Even for adults, giving and receiving gifts with loved ones can bring so much joy. But so many things we buy we don’t necessarily need. Instead of trying to get every gift on your list this year, find experiences that you can gift to create memories that will last forever. The toy your child cried and begged for might only fascinate them for a day or two before it winds up under the bed or in a closet, never to be seen again. But, they’ll never forget an experience like meeting Santa for the first time. Book your family’s annual visit with Santa, and you can capture photos that your family can enjoy for generations. Find Santa near you at whereissanta.com
9. Shop early and shop sales
The earlier you start your holiday shopping the more likely you are to spend on gifts and experiences that matter the most. It also gives you time to do lots of comparison shopping so that you can find the best deals. Not to mention, you can keep your eye on any sales! For some gifts, you could also save by buying items that have been gently used. You can hardly tell the difference between many refurbished products and ones that are just off the shelf.
10. Give gifts that last a lifetime
No one wants to give a gift that they think someone will love, only to find out that it was given away at a white elephant party later. Instead, give personalized gifts that everyone on your list will cherish for a lifetime. A gift card to a coffee shop will only last for a few cups. But a custom mug featuring your favorite photos and your own messaging is something anyone would love to sip from for years to come. Or, why not commemorate baby’s first Christmas with an ornament that you can pass down to them? You can create so many incredible, customized gifts at myholidaymoments.com and have them shipped right to your door in time for Christmas.
For more tips and tricks to make the most out of your family’s celebrations all year long, don’t forget to subscribe to The Holiday Blog.