As mid-December approaches, Christmas gift shopping is at its peak. I admit that I begin thinking about Christmas in August, but December is when I get around to acting on all that thinking.
We all love giving gifts, but sometimes money is a little short or maybe there is an extravagant gift on the list for someone special and it would be nice to get it cheaper.
Everyone loves to save money, no matter the circumstance. I’ve come up with six unique ways to save money as you navigate through your Christmas list this season.
- Cash in gift cards, rebate checks, Extra Bucks, etc. Did you buy two bottles of Tide at Target every month all year long and get a $5 gift card every single time? I did. I set them all aside and will use them on the Target Christmas Gift Run sometime this month. How about the Costco Executive Member cash back check? Save up the Menards rebate checks for the home improvement lover on your list. Extra Bucks at CVS expire, but even a small handful stockpiled for a couple of weeks could yield a nice Christmas gift for just the right person.
- Cash in credit card points for gift cards. Most credit cards come with some kind of reward or cash back option these days. Even my credit card from Dinkyville Credit Union has a rewards program. It may take 6-8 weeks to get the gift cards, so put this one in your back pocket for next year or for an upcoming birthday.
- Regift. Hear me out. There are very strict rules for regifting. The gift must not ever, ever, ever cross paths with the original giver, and the gift must be just the right fit for the recipient. It’s a tough combination, but sometimes it happens. Perhaps I received a bottle of wine that I isn’t my taste, but I know my boss would love it. Or I received a gift card to the restaurant that gave me food poisoning last month, but I know Uncle Mark loves that place. Look around and think it through. The right opportunity presents itself sometimes.
- Keep your eyes open at thrift stores, online garage sales, etc. Plenty of brand new stuff can be found if you look hard enough, especially this time of year as donations increase for last minute tax deductions. Used items are just fine for certain people. You know who will and won’t accept a used item as a gift. I especially love thrift store shopping for white elephant gift exchanges, whether I’m looking for something silly or practical, usually something interesting presents itself at a good price.
- Make it. I’m not talking about driving down to the craft store and buying $59 worth of supplies to make one or two gifts. At that price, it’s probably easier to just buy a ready-made item. When I’m looking for craft ideas for the kids, I use specific search terms based on the craft items I know I have on hand. Same concept applies for a homemade gift. Perhaps there is an old side table in the garage that just needs a fresh coat of paint or varnish and it would look perfect in Grandma Grace’s foyer. Perhaps there is a piece of fabric stored away that would be perfect for a set of cloth napkins for the environmentalist on your Christmas list. Has Aunt Nancy been eyeing a piece of pottery sitting on your mantel? Give it to her.
- Don’t give. Again, hear me out. Instead of stressing over the holiday traffic in the mall or worrying yourself sick over a forgotten gift receipt, talk with your family and see if they are open to an alternative no-gift Christmas. Exchange gifts of time, such as a day of babysitting for the young parents on your list or bringing Cousin Freda a decadent coffee every Tuesday in January. Take the time normally spent planning and fussing over Christmas lists to plan family activities for your time together, whether it’s a family craft, storytelling, reading the Christmas story from the Bible, or playing Just Dance together on the Wii.
Whatever you do, however you save, may you have a blessed and memorable Christmas, from this radio family to yours.
