Everyone wants to buy the perfect Christmas gifts for friends and family. Unfortunately, most of us don't have an unlimited budget. But there are a few ways to cut costs without cutting quality.
Instructions
Shopping Tips
1. Save money and avoid stress by shopping year round. Shop sales and stock up on clothes, toys and household gifts. For holiday items like wrapping paper and ornaments, hit the stores in January when they all go on sale.
2. Visit garage sales. Spring and summer garage sales can be great places to find almost-new toys.
3. Comparison shop on websites like shopzilla.com. Comparison shopping sites can help you find the best price for new items--and you won't even have to get off of your couch (see Resources below).
4. Earn gift certificates. If you write a blog, you can earn Amazon gift certificates or Paypal money by posting on certain topics for sites like Mom Central and Pay Per Post. If you see surveys on reputable sites but always ignore them, take a few minutes and do them.
5. Tap into your creative side and make some gifts. Personalize tote bags with fabric paint, knit hats and mittens, decorate picture frames, the ideas are endless. And the results will be personal, thoughtful one-of-a kind gifts.
6. Show off your inner photographer with great photo gifts. While photo calendars of the grandkids will always please the grandkids, how about making a poster out of the great photo you took from your sister's porch? Or a mug covered with photos of your twenty years of marriage?
Gift Tips
7. Create a gift notebook or spreadsheet. List gift ideas for everyone on your list and keep track of what you've already purchased. Make sure to keep a copy of the gift idea list with you at all times so that you can check it when you come across a great sale.
8. Ask friends and family to create wish lists on amazon.com and email them to you. That way you know exactly what everyone wants and you certainly don't have to purchase it through Amazon.
9. Stock up on perennial crowd pleasers like art supplies for kids, candles for hostesses and your sister's favorite scented lotions so that you never have to get a gift at the last minute.
10. Step out of the wrapped box comfort zone. Some of my favorite gifts have been restaurant gift certificates and homemade baby-sitting coupons. That is a great combination gift for couples with new babies. And teenagers always love gift certificates to their favorite stores.
Tags: gift certificates, friends family, garage sales, great photo, your sister