How do you save money on the holidays?
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How do you save money on the holidays?
| 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!



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.
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.
My EX in-laws have always been big gift givers... they all exchange gifts with each other.
Karen ~ wildlucky4me ~