By Maggie Murphy
Gift-giving during the holiday season doesn’t have to “break the bank” or create anxiety. With a bit of planning, savvy shoppers can create a more organized and financially friendly experience. Adding the following suggestions in the next few weeks can ease holiday stress and help you stay on budget.
The Gift of Time
According to a Bankrate survey, just under half of consumers plan to begin their holiday shopping around Halloween. This extra month can reduce time spent waiting in long shopping lines and the inevitable shipping delays from online orders. Shoppers can also ease or even increase their holiday budget by spreading out purchases over extra pay cycles.
A Gift Closet
Have you ever misplaced a gift or purchased the same item twice? Shoppers can avoid these headaches by designating a space to store gifts and wrapping supplies. This preparation space can ease holiday stress and prevent misplaced items. Half of my guest room closet is used to store gifts purchased throughout the year. When it’s time to begin wrapping presents, everything I need is in one location.
The Gift List
When purchasing so many items, a holiday list is essential! This bit of organization will ease every step of the holiday adventure, especially wrapping time. Do you have gifts without intended recipients? Add a section at the bottom for miscellaneous inventory. My gift list is dual purpose: gifts purchased and ideas. If family members mention something they need or want, I add it to the list as a reminder. Once purchased, the item is highlighted.
Shop Smart
Significant sales and offers are often still found around Thanksgiving. However, the increased social media ads, emails, and commercials can be overwhelming when navigating online deals while staying on budget. Taking a bit of time to research coupon codes and other promotions will streamline this process, preventing unnecessary purchases and overspending.
BOGO and Free Shipping
If you are purchasing a BOGO item, is there anyone on your list who might enjoy that same item? The same strategy can be applied to online orders. Are you $10 away from free shipping? Instead of paying for shipping, see if there’s something small that would make a fun hostess gift or stocking stuffer.
Homemade Treats
Do you enjoy baking or making special items for friends and family? This is the perfect time of year to begin purchasing those needed non-perishable supplies. Can you add a few items to this week’s grocery trip? Perhaps some of these gifts can be prepared in advance. For example, a friend used to bake a colorful community of personalized gingerbread men and women, baking and freezing the cookies in November and decorating and delivering them in December.
Start Early for Next Year
After Christmas, sales are the perfect time to stock up on wrapping paper, gift bags, holiday decor, Christmas-themed napkins, plates, soap, etc. Since these items have a long shelf life, why not stock up when offered at a substantial discount? Also, consider opening or increasing regular contributions to a gift savings account in the new year. By paying yourself first throughout the year, you can prevent the financial blues of upcoming holidays.
Making Space for Grace
Most importantly, give yourself the gifts of time and grace. Allow space for those whimsical bits of holiday bliss to appear during this special time of year. The Christmas season isn’t about setting the perfect table or an elegantly adorned tree with a surplus of gifts. Rather, this season is about those lovely, unexpected moments that surface while catching up over a cup of coffee, crowding on the couch to watch a favorite holiday movie, or those frosty afternoon walks after enjoying a delicious meal.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Maggie Murphy is a lifelong Michigander and graduated from Hillsdale College. She works as an educator and writer who also enjoys performing Irish, Scottish, and Americana folk music, attending book clubs, and running a small farm with her husband.
