I never understood people who waited until the day after Thanksgiving to start their Christmas Shopping. I usually start in July or August and know some people who start in January. I know it's already October, so start now if you can. It will still help you during the holidays. Make your list of "giftees" and keep it in your purse.
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I, too, am one of those who starts to shop in January! I save all of my rolled coin and rebate money throughout the year and deposit it is an interest-bearing account. Every time I purchase items with my debit card I simply transfer the funds from the savings to cover. I haven't used a credit card for Christmas in 6 years!
Homemade gifts are definitely a money saver, too. Inexpensive vodka with sugar and fresh fruits and a splash of grain alcohol to kep the fruit from spoiling makes a great cordial (Google recipes - they're everywhere!) Always looking for other ideas if anyone is sharing!
Great advice. I follow this advice and also buy my presents for family members earlier in the year. My immediate family is large, my husband and I and 4 kids. What is happening with me is that extended family that we've exchanged with for years now request to do a name draw. Last year quite a few on my side just before Christmas decide to tell me that we won't exchange gifts this year.
Now I've got all of these gifts stored and what am I going to do with them? I can't return them because I bought them too long ago, and some are regifts. So they sit basically gathering dust. It's very very frustrating. When someone asks to not exchange, I can't say "No! You have to buy for us because I already bought your presents!" It just doesn't work that way.
Last year I went ahead and gave some of the presents even though it was with persons that asked to not exchange. I don't really feel good about giving presents to family members that don't want to exchange with us. This is not thrifty at all!
Hi, I am a long time have it done before the end of October shopper BUT
as I have gotten older, decisions not to gift as many people, just close friends/family--I take advantage of the BLACK FRIDAY shopping to wrap up the end of the list.
I have a spare bedroom with bunks that the gifts all get put up on, as well as wedding gifts bought ahead of time--great friendly tupperware dealer who lets me in on good 50% bargains. I pick up after Christmas the decorated YET not holiday printed hand towels, finish them with an edge and button, know the great nieces and nephews basic needs--have a box of school supplies boughten in July--name brand crayons at $.20 instead of $2. I do not buy generic as the country of origin will be questionable and the amount of lead used in the process cannot be verified.
I also make fleece blankets for TOYS FOR TOYS--where the preteen usually is too old for the toys. Watching sales gets me a $60 blanket made for $15.
We used to draw names for Christmas and would do that ON CHRISTMAS for the next year, so we could take advantage of the great bargains and mark downs--b-i-ls who loved quilted flannel shirts--by the time they would be 90% off at Penny's, I would be in line.
Husband having a total knee done Nov 10 and so the tree will be up too. Already moved the furniture, decorated the open stairway, the little girls want lights on but will wait until after Halloween. Taking all this stuff from the attic--WHEW--will be up till valentines day, I will strip the tree except of the white garland and pink lights will go on it. We can do hearts, etc to hang. Little granddaughters love to do things like this. One friend keeps a little tree in the corner year round and changes out the light colors year round. You could also use an artificial plant/tree to do it too. Just a perky spot of light in the room. I have 10 ft ceilings, so it helps.
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