When the holidays are over, and your credit card is as worn out as you are, you may be bound, bent, and determined to change things up and spend less “next year“. Well, next year is here and it’s not too late to reroute your gift-giving into a holiday that is a winner both in your bank book and in the way you spend it.
Here is your guide for gift-giving that will have you spending less and enjoying the entire holiday season more! With spending like this, depending on the size of your family, your total 2022 holiday gifting can easily hover around the $200 mark…or less!
Save with Secret Santa
This is normally a great way to give at office and school parties, so why not give it a try at home? When families are growing and additions are prevalent, the basic name drawing can spread gift giving out all season. It allows you to focus on your “person,” and get to know their likes and needs while enjoying the excitement of being a bit sneaky! You can even add Santa’s secret elves to the mix and leave a little something weekly or daily leading up to Christmas. Set your limits and make the final gift something special so no one receives the sad gift of disappointment. You’ll receive financial freedom while truly giving from your heart instead of just your wallet.
Combine Forces and Gifts
Invest in gift-giving that goes somewhere and keeps on giving! Is there a specific vacation destination that you and your family have been hoping for? Go ahead and make those plans while wrapping up the accessories to put under the tree. If a snowy excursion is on your list, give toboggans, mittens, pocket warmers, boots, etc. All the things that you would have to buy anyway can become your gift-giving and take care of two missions at once!
At Home Adventures
If travel is too much you can still scratch the plastic, short-lived items off the list and give experiences and memories that last! Wrap up the season with magical experiences like the Polar Express train ride, or a dress-up event to see the Nutcracker live. Depending on your location, there are numerous options of things to do and places to go that will keep giving for a lifetime in the Christmas memory department!
Holiday Game Extravaganza
The holidays bring excitement and anticipation along with a touch of sadness when December 26 arrives. Give presents that keep on giving throughout the year by incorporating the gift of games with a twist. Choose one for your recipient that matches them or their personality. For example, if your three-year-old can’t sit still try “Ants in the Pants“. If you have a real estate agent in the house Monopoly would be a perfect option. For medical professionals, present and future, Operation would be a fun choice! You’ll have a barrel of laughs when choosing your options and the gift opening will be an occasion like never before! Plus, when the day is over, with so much to do and play, the fun has just begun!
Stocking Stuffing Savings
If you are a family where Santa brings gifts, and there are still under-the-tree purchases to be made, you might need to ask for a raise! Or…you could give Santa and yourself a break and stuff the stockings with less expensive, while still thoughtful choices. Wrap the elf-size gifts of course so that peeking is not a temptation. You’ll still have plenty to open, just smaller and less expensive packages…which could be the best gifts of all!