Are you wondering how save money Christmas shopping this year? It doesn’t have to feel overwhelming—it’s simply all about being strategic and thinking ahead.
Here’s a deeper dive into smart ways to stay on budget, with some creative tips that people often overlook.
IN THIS ARTICLE
20 Amazing Ways on How to Save Money Christmas Shopping This Year
1. Start With a Game Plan
Before you even step into a store or go online, decide exactly how much you want to spend. Break it down by person, category (like decorations, food, and travel), and extras like wrapping paper. Write it all down so you’re not tempted to overspend.
Here’s an example I made up quickly…
Here’s a sample Christmas budget table to help you plan your holiday expenses efficiently. Feel free to adjust the amounts based on your personal budget and priorities.
| Category | Item | Budget ($) | Notes/Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gifts | Family | $100 | Set spending limits per person |
| Friends | $50 | Secret Santa can reduce individual costs | |
| Coworkers | $20 | Small, thoughtful items like candles | |
| Teachers/Service Workers | $30 | Gift cards or baked goods | |
| Decorations | Christmas Tree | $50 | Consider artificial trees for reuse |
| Ornaments/Lights | $30 | Buy during post-holiday clearance sales | |
| Food & Beverages | Christmas Dinner | $75 | Plan a potluck to share costs |
| Baking Supplies | $20 | Cookies, pies, or other homemade treats | |
| Entertaining | Activities/Games | $20 | Board games or DIY trivia |
| Party Supplies | $15 | Use reusable decor to save in the future | |
| Charity/Donations | Local Charities | $25 | Consider toy drives or food banks |
| Travel | Gas/Transportation | $50 | Plan carpooling if possible |
| Miscellaneous | Wrapping Supplies | $10 | Use DIY or recyclable wrapping materials |
| Cards/Postage | $15 | Opt for digital cards to save costs |
Total Estimated Budget: $510
2. Shop Early and Track Deals
The earlier you start shopping, the better your chances of snagging great deals without feeling rushed.
I like to get a head start on Christmas shopping, usually beginning in September and October, with the goal of being completely finished by mid-November. This year, I managed to snag some amazing deals during the Amazon Prime Big Deal Days, which really helped stretch my budget.
By mid-November, I shift my focus to wrapping up the final touches, like picking out Christmas cards. One of my go-to gift ideas is creating personalized snack boxes for each person. I fill these with their favorite treats—think chocolate, caramel popcorn, candy, and more. The key is to stick with non-holiday-themed snacks. Anything marketed specifically for Christmas is almost always marked up significantly. By going for regular packaging, I can double the amount of goodies for the same price. A simple holiday bow added to the box makes it festive without breaking the bank!
Use price trackers like CamelCamelCamel to monitor price drops on gifts you’re eyeing. It’s a great one. This way, you can buy items at their lowest prices.
3. Stack Savings
Maximize your savings by using cashback apps like Rakuten or Ibotta, stacking them with store promotions, and combining them with credit card rewards. You’re essentially getting paid to shop!
4. Thrift and Refurbish
Second-hand stores, online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace, and refurbished tech sites (like Apple or Best Buy) are goldmines for unique and high-quality gifts at a fraction of the price. Gifting something gently used but thoughtfully chosen can still feel special.
5. Get Creative With DIY Gifts
Handmade gifts are not only budget-friendly but also incredibly meaningful. Try making personalized gift baskets, photo calendars, or even simple baked goods like cookies or fudge. Pinterest is a treasure trove of DIY ideas!
One of my favourites is making caramel popcorn. If you’ve never tried it homemade, you must! And it’s incredibly budget-friendly. Check out this RECIPE.
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6. Host a Gift Exchange
Suggest a family or office-wide Secret Santa or White Elephant gift exchange. Dirty Santa and Yankee Swap are essentially the thing as the White Elephant. At least this way, everyone gives and receives one thoughtful gift instead of buying for everyone individually.
To learn how to play each of these games…
Here’s how to play Secret Santa:
1. Set a Budget and Date: Decide on a spending limit (e.g., $20) and the date for the gift exchange.
2. Gather Participants: Make a list of everyone playing. This works best with a group of friends, family, or coworkers.
3. Draw Names: Randomly assign each participant someone to buy a gift for. Use a hat for drawing names or an online generator for larger groups.
4. Shop for Gifts: Each person buys a thoughtful gift for the person whose name they drew, keeping it a secret.
5. Label the Gifts: Wrap the gift and write the recipient’s name on it, without revealing who it’s from.
6. Exchange Gifts: On the designated day, gather and distribute the gifts. Recipients can guess who their Secret Santa is, or you can leave it anonymous for fun.
***This game emphasizes thoughtfulness and adds an element of mystery to gift-giving!
Here’s how to play White Elephant:
1. Set a Price Limit: Everyone agrees on a budget for the gifts (e.g., $20).
2. Bring a Wrapped Gift: Each participant brings a wrapped gift, usually something funny, quirky, or unexpected.
3. Draw Numbers: At the start of the game, everyone draws a number to determine the order in which they’ll choose a gift.
4. Choose or Steal: The first person selects and opens a gift. The second person can either choose an unopened gift or “steal” the first person’s gift. If a gift is stolen, the person who lost it picks a new gift.
5. Continue: This continues until everyone has a gift. Typically, a gift can only be stolen a set number of times (often 2 or 3) to prevent endless swapping.
***The goal is to have fun and enjoy the surprises, with lots of laughter and unexpected twists!
7. Leverage Technology for Savings
Install browser extensions or apps like Capital One Shopping to automatically apply promo codes at checkout. Also, use the Flipp (which is my absolute favourite!) to browse local ads for the best in-store deals.
8. Buy in Bulk
For gifts like bath bombs, candles, small toys, or other stocking stuffers, buying in bulk can be extremely budget-friendly. Wholesale stores like Costco or online retailers like Oriental Trading are great options. Even Walmart!
Buying in bulk is a fantastic way to create the best gift baskets for Christmas, especially if you have several people to shop for.
For example, you can put together spa gift baskets by dividing the bulk items you buy into adorable customizable gift boxes. Or try making up a fruit basket with some bulk groceries you buy! They’re both easy, thoughtful, and budget-friendly options.
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9. Plan for Experience Gifts
Sometimes, a shared experience is more meaningful than a physical gift. Consider giving “coupons” for activities like movie nights, homemade dinners (like Hello Fresh), or local events.
10. Focus on Offseason Deals
Think outside the holiday rush. Buy winter clothes, toys, or holiday-themed items during post-Christmas clearance sales and save them for next year.
This is a fantastic way to save! Just be sure to keep track of what you buy, who it’s for, and how much you spend on them to know that you’re staying within your budget. I like to place a sticky note on each item to keep track. Additionally, I keep a running list on my phone, so whenever I spot the perfect gift at a great price, I can easily keep everything organized.
11. Repurpose Wrapping Supplies
Instead of buying expensive wrapping paper, get creative by using newspaper, old maps, or fabric scraps for wrapping gifts. It’s eco-friendly and unique!
12. Regifting Done Right
Regifting isn’t taboo if it’s done thoughtfully. If you have unused, high-quality items that someone else would love, wrap them up and give them a new home.
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13. Digital Gifts
Avoid shipping fees by sending digital gift cards, audiobooks, or subscriptions (like Spotify, Audible, or Netflix). These are hassle-free and often on sale during the holidays.
14. Shop Local
Support small businesses that often have unique, affordable items. Plus, they may offer holiday promotions or free gift wrapping.
15. Use Loyalty Rewards
If you’ve accumulated points through store loyalty programs or credit card rewards, now’s the time to cash them in! Many retailers offer extra bonuses during the holidays.
16. Plan Potluck-Style Holiday Meals
If you’re hosting, ask guests to bring a dish. This reduces your food costs while making the celebration more collaborative and fun.
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17. Look for Free Holiday Events
Skip expensive outings and take advantage of free community events like Christmas markets, light displays, or church concerts for festive fun.
18. Don’t Forget Price Matching
Many retailers will match a competitor’s price if you show proof, especially during the holiday season. This way, you can shop where it’s convenient without overspending.
19. Say No to Store Credit Offers
While it may be tempting to open a store credit card for a discount, the high interest rates usually outweigh the initial savings unless you’re confident you can pay off the balance immediately.
20. Set a “No-Gift” Agreement
For close friends or family, consider skipping physical gifts altogether and instead focus on creating memorable experiences, like sharing a cozy dinner or hosting a game night. I know this can feel like a tough change at first, but when we made the shift over 10 years ago, it turned out to be one of the best decisions we’ve made.
The change initially came out of necessity—we needed time to get ahead financially—but over the years, no one has missed the exchange of gifts. Instead, we’ve cherished the quality time together. Now that we’re in a more comfortable place, we’ve started reintroducing gifts, but with a focus on meaningful, budget-friendly options that align with our values.
By blending these strategies into your holiday routine, you’ll find that Christmas shopping doesn’t have to break the bank. It’s all about planning, creativity, and making meaningful choices!
Thank You Credits: Cover Photo By: Kaboompics.com on Pexels.
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