Time to start thinking about Christmas!!!!
Well, you don’t have to-but with all the great deals, if you start now, you will be able to give even more!
Here are some tips that will help you Christmas shop using your coupons, and some ideas.
#1. Make a list now of who you would like to give a gift to this year. (Don’t think about who you can afford to give to)
Remember teachers, volunteers, church leaders, friends, neighbors, your kids’ friends, family members, etc.
#2 Start Paying Attention to What People Like NOW. Then as you are shopping, you can grab some things here and there instead of paying full price later. Kinds of candy, home colors, favorite foods, etc
#3. Start Buying NOW. When you get a good deal on something, buy extra. You can use it later to put together a gift basket!
#4 Reserve a Special Spot for Christmas Gifts. Keep what you plan to give away separate Then you will be encouraged to see your stock growing and it won’t end up getting used for something else!
#5 Start Checking the Clearance Aisles-lots of times you can find nail polish, socks, hair clips, etc for really cheap. I grab these and put them with my Christmas stuff. They are good for basket fillers and stocking stuffers. I got some Cars little Kleenex packs in the back to school clearance for my boys’ stockings.
Items you can use for gifts–
Toiletries-you can make up gift baskets for anyone with the lotions, body washes, nail polish, razors, etc. Just find a cute basket and add a loofa sponge and some pretty ribbon!
Candles– last year I got a great deal on the glade jar candles. I wrapped them individually in some Christmas paper and put ribbon on them for teacher and friend gifts, and it may not have been a big gift, but I think it is just nice to be able to give something, and most of the time people are so touched that you thought of them.
Christmas Ziploc Containers and Bags. -Baking supplies will start being on sale, so stock up and do some extra holiday baking. If you use your coupons to buy the Christmas containers and ziploc bags, you bake and gift your desserts in an inexpensive but holiday themed wrapping! Last year my kids were able to give all of their friends a Christmas bag of either candy or baked goods and they had LOTS of fun putting them together.
Coffee-Even if you do not drink coffee, you know someone who does. There are usually great deals on Starbucks coffee, or the Starbucks Vias. I already grabbed some for Christmas gifts, and I will just buy a cute coffee mug and maybe add some candy to it-and there is a cute gift!
Stockings-Last year I bought some extra stockings at the Dollar Store, and filled them with different items and gave stockings away. Basically, I spent around $1 on each one, but made lots of them! Then you don’t have to have a basket or wrapping!
I did this last year, and Christmas was FUN. I wasn’t rushing around everywhere, or disappointed that I couldn’t buy anyone gifts, or have the feeling that I didn’t do enough. I gave more than I ever had last year, and to more people!
Plus I think it was a Christmas I spent the LEAST money!! We added it up and we gave over 100 people Christmas gifts PLUS donated much of my stockpile to the Adopt-A-Famiy program which helped lots of families!
So, hopefully this inspires you to start thinking about giving and preparing for your holidays!
If anyone else has any ideas please start sending them in!!!!!
