Christmas and the holidays are the season of giving.
Itβs a time when people are feeling more generous and prepare gifts for their loved ones. Have you started to hunt for the best deals? Or like many of us, there is nothing under the Christmas tree yet due to the hectic work schedule. So, here are 8 easy shopping tips for busy people trying to shop on a budget for the holiday season.
1. Make a list
Prepare a list of people you plan to get gifts for. Think carefully who should be on the list and donβt feel bad to be selective. Start with your closest family members and friends, then slowly expanding your list according to your budget. This will help you manage your budget. Just donβt forget to take that list with you!
2. Make the cut, set your budget
Firstly, be honest with your own financial capability and set a realistic budget. Do you still set big budget when youβre actually living from paycheck to paycheck? Definitely not.
If you canβt trim your list and cut off anyone, consider to spread the budget thinner. For example, instead of spending P500 on every one of your cousins, maybe cut it down to half? After all, itβs the thought that counts.
Meanwhile, maybe itβs time to learn how to manage your money better.
3. Shop early
Donβt let procrastination stop you from getting the best deals! Start early and do your research online to plan out which stores to go and what items you want to buy. And see if itβs more worth it to shop online (donβt forget to check for the shipping cost!).
It can be stressful when you canβt seem to find the perfect gift and time is running out. Plus, itβs often when you arenβt looking for something that you come across the best gift for Mom or your best friend Harry.
4. Pay in cash
The best way to not get yourself in debt in to not use credit cards to buy gifts. Youβll be more aware with the cold hard cash youβre spending and stick to the budget. When you swipe a credit card, itβs easy to lose track of the amount spent and on who. Before you realize it, the sum adds up quickly.
Youβll thank yourself when the holiday season is over and you have no Christmas debts to clear.
5. Buy a combined gift
Itβs great way to save money while still giving great gifts to your loved ones. By getting a slightly more pricey gift to two or more people instead of buying an item for each person individually.
For example,
- For kids: video games, play sets
- For couples: household appliances like TV, coffee machine, restaurant vouchers
- For parents: tickets to a show they like, framed family photo
6. Be creative and DIY
If youβre crafty or creative, save yourself from the mall madness and make the gifts yourself. Sew a personalized purse, bake some brownies, or make bracelets for your nieces and nephews. The sky is the limit!
If you need to learn how to create something from scratch, you will find tonnes of useful tutorials on Youtube. Thereβs one for just about every craft out there.
7. Shop by yourself
Youβll most likely to spend less when shopping alone, particularly if your friends arenβt good with their money. Having a shopping buddy with poor money habits can derail you from the initial budget easily by encouraging you to get something unnecessary.
How so? Imagine someone keep telling you:
- βIsnβt this the item youβve been eyeing on for the longest time?β
- βYou know what you should buy isβ¦β
- βYou would look great in this!β
8. Itβs the season to give, not buy
Remind yourself: this is the season for giving, not receiving. Itβs easy to get distracted when shopping for gifts for others, without realizing it, youβre asking the salesperson for your size.
If you find something you really like, add it to your wishlist first instead of buying it immediately. It might just be an impulse purchase and you donβt really need it.
In essence, Christmas and the holiday season should be a time for celebration. Donβt focus too much on the shopping and get yourself all stressed out or worse, get into debt. Spend wisely and try spending more quality time with your loved ones instead. They will definitely cherish the time you guys spend together than the price tag of your Christmas gifts.
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