Christmas Gifts On A Budget

We have all been there… You want to have the most special Christmas!  You want it to be memorable, special and did I mention memorable??  But how in the world do you do it on a budget?

You can absolutely create an amazing Christmas experience and give amazing Christmas Gifts to everyone on your list – on a budget!

You want to have the perfect Christmas and your gift list is growing by the minute.

We are walking our own individual paths and the reality is that living on a budget, whatever that budget is, exists for almost everyone!

This is real life!  So, no need to worry about being judged for saving money.

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Cut Back on Spending Early to Save For Your Christmas Budget

Looking to stretch what you already have a little further?  Cut back on spending ahead of time.  That sounds horrible, right?  Well, you can do it with a little creativity. 

Try making meals that are cheaper several times a week to tuck away some extra cash.  Honestly, one of the best ways to save money on your grocery bill is to use a meal planner.  Who would have thought that your meal planning could have such a significant impact on Christmas gifts?  It’s so true though.

A large part of the money spent in every home is on FOOD!  I am a HUGE believer in planning meals.  

One, it saves you TONS of time!  Imagine going into a week knowing you have to plan NOTHING and have a week of great meals you know everyone in your home will love?  

Two, it saves you money!  Planning your meals out ensures you always have delicious meals planned to make.  That means less eating out and SAVING MONEY!

Did you know that eating out typically costs over double what making a meal at home does? 

Yep, want to save money?  Plan your meals.

Check out my absolute favorite meal planner HERE!  I have been using this system for years and LOVE it!  Here’s a little tease… imagine making your weekly meals little by little and never having to do the work again!  Yep, it’s that simple. 

Bonus – your grocery list is done at the same time!  Time saved, check!  Money saved, check!  More time to do what you WANT to do (YES please) AND you save money.

Set Your Christmas Budget

It doesn’t matter what your income is.  Having a budget is a SMART way to live.

Look at it this way, people that don’t have to worry about money didn’t get there by spending frivolously.  Wealthy people understand that you have to spend and save with intention.

There is nothing shameful or embarrassing about having a budget!

The best way to not NEED a budget is to use one!  I am speaking from experience.  I explain this a little more in the next segment but the reality is that it is not fun to shop for others when you are completely stressed out about what it’s going to cost you.

Now, I would be OK if I didn’t use a budget today.  We have come a long way since our early days.

But guess what?  I use a budget!  Giving gifts to others is something that brings you joy and just feels good.  The last thing you want to do is have guilt because you overspent on your Christmas gifts.

Next, you will see several different ways to give gifts to loved ones and friends no matter how much you can spend.  Spend less and give meaningful, inexpensive gifts while you save money!

NOT Frugal Christmas: A Cautionary Tale

What do I know about living on a budget?

Way back I remember when my hubby was a brand new enlisted service member and I had less than $200 a MONTH to buy groceries.

We had some bills and quite frankly we were just starting out in life and had just had our second child. It was more expensive to work outside the home because of childcare costs.

We were young and did the WORST THING POSSIBLE by buying our Christmas gifts with credit cards.  We did that because we couldn’t afford to buy them any other way.  Do you know, it took us 7 YEARS to pay off those gifts???

You see, when you don’t have the cash to pay for them you are going to pay interest.  Since we didn’t have any extra money we couldn’t pay extra on the bill and the interest stretched it out for what felt like forever.

Thankfully, we learned our lesson and started living on a budget.  Hallelujah, we got ourselves out of debt!  And we didn’t eat rice and beans, folks.  Yes, we had some weeks where we ate inexpensive foods but we were happy!  

Bottom line… You can afford what you can afford.  Don’t worry about it or be embarrassed by that!

Use a List! – Christmas List Will Be Your GO-TO

We have all been there.  You go to the store to buy one thing and before you know it you have WAY more than you planned to get.  During the holidays this is not only more common but dangerous!

As you shop you think of all of the people you forgot to get something for so you pick an item up here, an item up there and… you get it.  Your holiday budget is out the window.  Not only that, can you even remember what you got everyone or where your Christmas gifts are?

Here’s how this works.  Start off with a list of everyone (and I mean everyone) you would give a gift to if you had no limits.  Next, consider, what is your budget?  How much do you want to spend on gifts this year?

Don’t worry, there are TONS of ways to give gifts without financing your way to bankruptcy.

Now, prioritize your list.  On a new piece of paper write down the names from your first list in order of who you WILL give a gift to, who you NEED to give a gift to and who you WANT to give a gift to.

Need sounds harsh, I know.

Be honest, there is someone on the list that isn’t your favorite person but you know if you give a gift to (insert name here) you have to give one to (insert name here).

Don’t forget to include people that may get added last minute.

Just like that, your holiday gift list is done!

FREE Christmas Gift Planner!

I’ve included my favorite Christmas Gift planner here.  It has everything you need.

From a budget sheet, gift lists for family, friends, neighbors and work to the final gift list with a spot to check off when everything is wrapped!  Stay organized and on track this Christmas with our gift list!

Grab your free PDF Download of the Christmas Gift Planning Kit HERE!

TIP: Have a DESIGNATED PLACE for your gifts!  Put a sticky note on them with the name of the person they are for and keep a copy of your gift list IN that place.  (A solid colored bucket is perfect)

Now, it’s just a matter of being creative about what you will give to those people!  Don’t worry, I have some ideas to get you started here! 

Plan & Shop Ahead for Christmas Gifts

First and foremost, use your list.

Once you have your gift list, start writing down ideas for what you want to get the people on your holiday gift list.  This is SUPER helpful if you do it way early.  As you have conversations with them you can add ideas for later.

If it’s too late for that, no worries.  You can still do this!  Just work through the process listed here and start your list right after Christmas for next year!

Next, use your Christmas gift list when you know a big sale is happening.

One of the things that I do all the time is check out the sale ads each week for things on my list.

You would be surprised at how much you can save.  In the “off season” many of your favorite things will get some great discounts.

Finally, take advantage of Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Now back in the day I would brave the crowds.

These days I have absolutely no desire to get up at the butt crack of dawn to stand in line with crazed shoppers that forget they are humans and not animals.  The deals you can get sitting on your couch are 100% worth it.  

Pajamas, your favorite coffee or tea and check all those gift items off your list!

Get Creative – DIY Christmas Gifts Save You Money

Ok, so let me start by saying you DO NOT have to be crafty to get creative! 

I personally love to create things.  BUT you can do any of these ideas with ZERO craft skills!

My dear friend and I had so much fun every year creating gifts for people that didn’t have a ton of “crafty stuff” in them.  As the principal of a large High School I had a LOT of people that I wanted to give Christmas gifts to.

I also had to consider that not everyone celebrates Christmas.

I needed gift ideas that I could adjust to show my appreciation for everyone!

Here are some of my favorite Christmas Gift Ideas!

• Themed gift bag/box/basket

• • • My FAVORITE gift to give – use this for your office, boss, or as a gift when you are invited to a holiday party!
      • The next segment is all about themed gift basket or boxes.
      • They are perfect for decorating with a different theme to fit all of your gift recipients regardless of which holiday they celebrate!

• Home baked goodies

• • • If you like to bake this is an easy one!  Just be careful… the cost of making baked goods can inch up on you if you aren’t aware.  Pick baked goods that fit your budget.  My favorite containers for baked goods gifts are listed here.
      • PaperMart – TONS of Beautiful Boxes for Baked Goods
      • Sugarwish – Send premade Baked Goods in Gorgeous Boxes!
      • Greetabl – CUSTOM boxes with your own images & fun design

• Hospitality Gift

• • • Give the gift of self care!  This is a GREAT gift for the moms in your life.  But, let’s be honest.  Self care is the #1 thing that people deprive themselves of so help them take a minute to relax with some homemade (or bought bulk and repackaged) items. 
      • Soaps
      • Bath bombs
      • Lotions
      • Loofahs
      • Add an ornament for decoration- it serves as a lasting gift with your basket
        • Write the year and “From ____” for personalization
      • The options are endless!
        • Dollar Days – buy bulk items for self care to add to your gift bags/baskets
        • Walmart – Yep, good ol’ Walmart.  They have tons of self care items to choose from for your gift boxes.
        • Food 52 – How to make soap at home!  SUPER GOOD 

• This year in the ____ family letter

• • • Family letters are a very popular way to let people you care about know that you are thinking of them without sending a traditional Christmas gift!
      • • Write a letter covering the major things that happened this year.
        • Include a few pictures and you have a simple gift that you create once and send to many!

• Personalized Cards

• • • So many places sell personalized cards now! 
      • You can get pictures taken professionally
      • Try taking a few candids that capture you or your family being REAL! 
      • ZERO design skills needed!
        • VistaPrint – customized cards for Christmas, New Year’s.. You name it
        • Minted – amazing designs for your personalized cards!
        • Personalization Mall – these designs are SO GOOD!  Love them!
        • Zazzle – Some really cool designs that are definitely on my list for this year!

• Video Linked to Cards/Letters

• • • Want to take your personalized letters or cards to the next level?
      • Include a link to view a video!  There are tons of places to create one!  I’ve included a few below.
        • JibJab – video cards for every occasion! 
        • Elfi Santa – Santa themed video cards that are AH-mazing!
        • Flex Clip – Create videos for any occasion here!

• Sport themed Gift bags or baskets

  • • You can create a Christmas gift bag or basket for the hardest people to shop for!
      • Sport Themed Gift Basket/Box/Bag
      • Athletic Themed Gift Basket/Box/Bag
      • Add an ornament for decoration- it serves as a lasting gift with your basket
        • Write the year and “From ____” for personalization
          • DIY Baseball Bookends – ModPodge Rocks
          • 20 Candy Bouquets – diys.com Ideas for every occasion!
          • DIY Gifts in a Jar – DIY Bunker

• Craft baskets or bags

• • Have a friend that likes to stamp?  Put together a stamping bag!
  • Do they like to DIY?  Get a set of stains and brushes!
  • Maybe you have a friend that likes yarn crafting.  Get some yarn and a hook or needles! Just use the pattern (tons free on the web) and make a bundle gift!
  • Add an ornament for decoration- it serves as a lasting gift with your basket
    • Write the year and “From ____” for personalization
  • There are a million options!
  • This is a GREAT idea for kids too!

The reality is, no matter what you choose the options are truly endless!

For every person on your list there is probably another that shares their interests.

Save yourself a little time and money by shopping and planning for your Christmas gifts!

Themed Gift Baskets or Gift Boxes for Meaningful Gifts

This is my FAVORITE thing to do for gifts!

Especially if you are gifting co-workers, bosses, extended family members, or want to have gifts handy for the Christmas parties you go to! 

Basically, pick any theme (and I mean ANY theme) and put together an adorable gift.

The best part is, these are SUPER practical.  They aren’t gifts that get tucked away and collect dust.

Even better, everyone is busy during the holidays so I LOVE to do food themed baskets for Christmas gifts.  I have several posts coming on specific instructions with pictures.  Watch for those!

Here are some Themed Gift Basket ideas!

TIP: Make multiples of the same basket theme with different elements (ornament, fabric, etc.) and SAVE TIME!

• Italian Dinner Theme Gift Basket

  • Dried pasta
  • Pasta Sauce
  • Fancy Breadsticks or a nice fresh loaf of bread
  • Italian cookies or pastries (packaged)
  • Sparkling water or Wine
  • Wooden spoons
  • Holiday themed tea towel
  • Ribbon or jute
  • Basket or Box
    • Use the tea towel to line the basket then start adding your goodies!
    • Want to get even more elegant?  Add some fresh sprigs of greenery (pine works great) to give it a special touch.
    • Add an ornament for decoration- it serves as a lasting gift with your basket
      • Write the year and “From ____” for personalization

• Dinner & A Movie Theme Gift Basket

  • Popcorn (Either popping corn or microwave)
  • A variety of candy boxes/bags
  • Some chocolate options
  • Throw in an oldie but goodie!
  • You could also do a gift card for a theater if you know the person goes
  • Tea towel or fabric (colorful or black and white work great for this one)
  • Ribbon
  • Basket or Box
    • Need to lift some of the items up higher?  Try taping or hot gluing them to bamboo barbeque skewers
    • Fill the bottom of the basket with shredded craft paper to get some height where you want it!
    • Add an ornament for decoration- it serves as a lasting gift with your basket
      • Write the year and “From ____” for personalization

Christmas Gift Basket Easy, Cheap and Practical!

• Winter Comfort Basket
  • Hot Chocolate Mix (prepared or homemade)
  • Hot tea assortment
  • Honey spoons
  • Marshmallows
  • A few cute coffee mugs
  • Holiday tea towel
  • Ribbon
  • Basket or box
    • These are SO POPULAR. 
    • Want to do a higher end version of this?
      • Make your own cocoa mix and put it in mason jars.
      • Get loose tea and add a tea infuser.
      • Put marshmallows in mason jars.
      • Add an ornament for decoration- it serves as a lasting gift with your basket
        • Write the year and “From ____” for personalization
      • There are SO MANY options here!  It’s so simple and practical which makes it the perfect Christmas gift!

Ok, that’s just three but I could go on all day for ideas for these.

Basically, find items that are available to you and order them or purchase them locally.

I like to have these on hand for special people that I care about and for last minute gifts when we go to a holiday party!  

SAVE THIS PIN FOR LATER!

How to Save Time, Save Money & Still Have Fun at Christmas

Make the Christmas season more about making memories, and doing things together rather than the things you give or get.

If you are a parent, I promise this is harder for you than your kids!  Try it out.

Of course, you will still give gifts.  If the focus is on making memories AND simplifying gift-giving your level of joy this season will soar!

Whatever you do, don’t get to the end of the holiday season and realize you overspent and then have buyer’s remorse.

The best way to save time and save money during the holidays is to plan, budget, make a holiday gift list and then be intentional about what you buy.

Hopefully you have some great ideas for Christmas gifts! 

THIS POST WAS ALL ABOUT HOW TO SAVE TIME AND MONEY DURING THE HOLIDAYS By Using Christmas Ideas On a Budget!