Gift Ideas For Christmas On A Budget

Christmas can be stressful on everyone, but there are some simple tips to staying on budget without becoming a scrooge.

Start saving for the holidays early. Try using envelopes, an index card holder with files, or a bank gift card to deposit a set amount of money, like $50, every month. By the end of the year you'll have plenty of money to do your shopping.

Start shopping early. Sales and clearance events happen throughout the year. Shop these events for huge savings all year long. By the time the holidays come around you'll have most of your shopping, if not all of it, completed.

Homemade gifts are not only fun to make and something the whole family can help with, but it also shows that you put more time and consideration into the gift process than picking up a gift card while you were in the checkout lane buying groceries. Here's some ideas: Hand made cookbook Photo album Gift jars Holiday candy or homemade pie

Draw names by putting everyone's name in a hat and everyone draws one name. That's the person you buy for. Everyone gets a gift and no one goes broke. Another alternative to this is that everyone shows up with a gift that is appropriate for a male or female and valued at $50 or any predetermined amount. The gifts are put into the center of the floor.

Everyone gathers around in a circle. A pie pan with one die is passed around. When you roll a 6 you get to choose a gift from the pile or trade gifts with someone. No one is allowed to have two gifts, so after you have one you can only trade or keep your gift. After everyone has a gift then everyone can open their present!


Also consider items they need that you have to buy anyway for stocking stuffers, such as: funny vitamins, barrettes, nail clippers, toothbrush and small tube of toothpaste, comb, hair brush, samples of cosmetics or toiletries, pens, pencils, erasers, pencil sharpener, small pad of paper, cute socks, gloves, or a cap.