I hope you've made a start on your Christmas shopping but I also know how stressful and chaotic this time of year can be so I thought I would share with you 5 top tips for Christmas budgeting to try help you out!
I know it can be so easy to let your Christmas budget get away from you so I thought I'd help you stay on track this holiday season and share with you 5 top tips for budgeting for Christmas gift shopping!
1.Make a list of everyone you need to buy gifts for. This may seem like a no-brainer, but it's important to sit down and really think about everyone you need to buy gifts for. This includes everyone, family, friends, co-workers, etc. Once you have your list, you can start thinking about what kind of gifts you want to give each person.
2.Set a spending limit for each person on your list. This is where things can start to get tricky. You don't want to spend too much on each person, but you also don't want to look cheap. Some limits may be set for you, eg. if you're doing a group secret santa! A good rule of thumb is to set a limit you're comfortable with and stick with it!
3.Come up with a budget friendly gift idea for each person on your list. Just because you're on a budget doesn't mean you have to give subpar gifts! Get creative and think outside the box when it comes to gift giving this year! If you're stumped, take some time to browse my gift guide or take a look at some online market places such as Etsy! You can find some great affordable gift ideas from small businesses!
4.Start shopping early and take advantage of sales! The sooner you start shopping, the better chance you have of finding great sales and sticking to your budget! Who doesn't love a good sale? By starting early, you also avoid the last minute rush and all the associated stress that comes with it!
5.Try not to use credit cards if possible. It can be tempting to put all your holiday shopping on a credit card, but resist the urge! Interest rates on credit cards are notoriously high, which means you could end up paying more for your gifts in the long run if you're not careful. If you absolutely must use a credit card, be sure to pay off your balance as soon as possible so you don't get hit with hefty interest charges.
Christmas gift shopping doesn't have to be a stressful or expensive endeavour. By following these tips you can stay within your budget and make this holiday season one to remember without breaking the bank! I hope you found these helpful! Good luck and happy shopping!