How do you save money on the holidays?

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-28-2004
How do you save money on the holidays?
3
Wed, 11-01-2006 - 8:58am
We all have our little tricks for keeping the holidays from capsizing our wallets. Share your best frugally-festive tips for celebrating the holidays on a budget!


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iVillage Member
Registered: 11-25-2003
Wed, 11-01-2006 - 10:46am

Most of the stuff kids get at Christmas is crap. And they'll forget they got this stuff inside of a week regardless. If its advertised during Nickelodean or during cartoons, I won't buy it.

My son is into HO trains, legos, rockets and airplane models. I scour the internet and the local toy stores searching for bargains throughout the year.

Wrapping paper and lights are purchased on Dec 27.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-30-2003
Wed, 11-01-2006 - 8:42pm

Well, my extended family gave up exchanging gifts quite some time ago. I always felt hung over after seeing everyone go through all of those gifts... somehow that commercialism really got to me.

Now that I have kids of my own I am very cognizant of the "gift giving curve". My kids are always happiest if they get 2 bigger toys and a few odds and ends in their stocking. I try to make it less about the gifts and more about tradition. Christmas eve they always get Christmas pajamas and a new book for us to read together.

The toys that I get them are often bought with points via air miles or other programs. I buy cards on sale after Christmas, and I reuse the same gifts bags year after year. For teachers etc, we always make something- usually chocolates or baked items and pack them in dollar store tins. I usually manage to come in fairly cheaply at Christmas, but we never feel it.

Nothing novel in teh way of money saving ideas, but I feel that the "less is more" mentality is very beneficial.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Thu, 11-02-2006 - 8:16pm

My EX in-laws have always been big gift givers... they all exchange gifts with each other.


Karen ~ wildlucky4me ~