Christmas budget?

[Luv2trav]

Since you all have the BEST ideas on how to save for WDW please share you ideas on how to save for Christmas!

I am under a tight budget for Christmas this and the earlier I get started the better...

I have 2 boys ages 3 and 9 months....

 

[wdwpluto]

Start shopping now! I shop year round and buy things on sale. I keep a running list in my purse of what I've bought for who and who I still need to buy for. I generally have a vague idea of what I'd like to get people, but I'm open.

Watch Target's toy clearance (that's where I generally get my 3 y/o godson's gifts) for cheap toys. Also, I hear that Toys R' Us stores are having some kind of Green Dot liquidation sale, so you might want to check that out.

Also (and easier said than done) don't go crazy. It's tempting to buy a ton of toys for kids (I went nuts the first year with my step-daughter) but it seems they're often happier playing with the boxes! LOL. Set an amount for each child and stick to it. And when you've hit that amount, I don't care how cute the next thing is, don't buy it!

 

[hockey mom]

I also agree to start now. I often stroll through the toy department of Wal-mart to see what has been put on clearance. The great thing with the ages of your kids is that it does not cost as much to make them happy as it does with teenagers.

 

[wuv tigger]

Best tip at those ages is - Grandparents

Second tip is go to the UPS store and buy two boxes and 10 feet of bubble wrap - $10 for Christmas

Seriously, I would not spend much if anything. They won't care and will play with the boxes more than the toys. Our kids get tons of toys from relatives.

One thing we do is buy each kid a nice Christmas ornament each year. That way they have a nice collection as they grow up.

David

 

[Jordan's MOM]

What I wish I had done when mine was that age was to buy so much less. Once you start out buying so much, it's hard to cut back the next year. At that age they could care less. Too many toys are over stimulating and are less fun that a few well chosen ones. We are a christain family and I wish we had followed the advice of some friends of ours to only buy each child 3 gifts to follow the tradition of the the three gifts from the wise men. Aslo check co-signment shops for large little- tikes toys. They are often almost brand new for a fraction of the cost. Focus on family, friends, what chirstmas means to you rather than the gifts.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Jordans' mom

 

[Luv2trav]

I agree about not buying much for children... I am concerned with everyone not just them... Plus my children DO NOT need anymore toys..

Any ideas on unique gifts? or inexpensive ways to celebrate? With family as well as children.

 

[8 Ears]

Our children are older (10 and 13) but we now do a lot of gift certificates for bowling, movie theater, to rent movies, things like that for when we do not have a lot of $$ and lasts through out the year. They have too many toys that break, are lost, or jsut out grow. Does not seem like much under the tree but they enjoy them even say in Feb. or March.

 

[boom276]

Gift cards are great ideas!

You could wrap up future events for them to look forward too. I'd be thrilled to open a box and find a note in it saying I'll have a ticket for a concert, etc.

 

[mudnuri]

OH God do I go overboard at christmas!

HOWEVER......generally through the year they do not get toys/junk etc. Stuff like this is kept for birthdays and christmas. Yes, they may get a new hoola-hoop in the middle of summer, but for the most part, they wait.

They make a list of what they want by going through catalogs/flyers and the list is given to the grandparents. this is where all the "toys" come from.

We buy the girls each a big gift at christmas, last year DD8 got a 4-wheeler ,this year DD7 will get a dirtbike, (dont flame me, dont tell me how unsafe this is, just keep reading!) Anyway- other than the big gift, generally whats left is stocking stuffers, and gift cards.

the girls get a gift card from Boarders (book store) at both christmas, and birthday, and they also get a savings bond at each as well. The other thing that we do is give them each a $50 and they deposit it into their savings account. This is non-negotiable, the money goes into the account. They have never complained about it, hope they don't start.

I'm hoping that this year, the majority of what they want is American Girl stuff, it's so well made, and they enjoy it so, I know it will be played with for quite some time. A lot better way for the gparents to spend their $$ than on toys that they "think they want" but end up not playing with!

I also hunt the clearance, and have most of my neices/nephews shopping for christmas done already. got a great deal on Bratz dolls this summer, 4.97 each at walmart! Got the nieces 3 each!...

Happy Clearance Shopping!

Brandy

 

[sarahsmom73]

I have been purchasing thing syear round for a couple of years now.. In fact I am almost done for this year and I don't think I have paid full price for anything! I look for online coupon codes and free shipping offers.. I comparison shop big time! I t seems a lot easier on the budget to spread it out over the year.. Good luck!

 

[btass]

I use a Christmas Club at my Credit Union. Each time I get paid by direct deposit, money is automatically transferred to the Christmas Club, no fuss, no muss, no having to think about it. After the second time it comes out every year, I forget I even have it until October when the check comes. It's like winning the lottery for me! Every year I up the amount a little bit and I don't spend as much on presents as I used to so the extra goes towards vacation $!

 

[we3disneygo]

I always start the day after Christmas for the Sunday school teachers, etc. I then pick up things i know my daughter wants and will not change her mind on she'll be 11 in Dec., got most of it done for the rest of the people on my list and I am always done by Thanksgiving. It's a good way to find stuff on sale and it doesn't hurt the budget all at once.less stress during the month of Dec. to enjoy the season, this year we are having a all disney theme on the tree and house decorations!

 

[swilshire]

The little ones are easy. Get DH to watch them a few Saturdays and hit yard sales. You'll find like new toys for next to nothing and they certainly don't care that they're not in the original box. The things that ARE in the boxes become the Santa gifts.

As mentioned earlier, they'll probably play more with the boxes and wrap anyway.

I've done this with all four of mine. Not so easy now that they are 18, 16, 10 and 5, but it still works for the small ones.

Sheila

 

[lovemygoofy]

From what I read you are looking for ways to save money in other presents or forms.

Can you make things, or artsy crafty sort of or bake/cook?

A few years ago, I didn't have a lot of money to buy presents for my extremely large family. I made my brother a coupon for 3 lasagnas but had to preorder them before demanding. His wife received a cheap giftbasket I made up from honestly lots of bath stuff that I hadn't used or opened. I've also baked cookies and pies or put the mix stuff in a jar with a pretty ribbon. Now I"ve taken to making themed silly wreaths out of mini Christmas ornaments. Example: I have my goddaughter a wreath that lots of mini sports ornaments on there because she plays sports.

The year I got married I gave my mother a beautifully framed picture of us from my wedding day that she had never seen.

I think for people that aren't children, they understand it is the sentiment and time you took to pick the gift or make the gift.

Good luck and happy holidays early,
Tina

 

[laurabelle]

I've started looking around for inexpensive Christmas gift ideas too. It's definitely not too early! Here's a list I found online here at Better Budgeting I have actually used lots of these ideas in the past and they were great hits!

1. Gourmet coffees with a personal coffee cup
2. A pound of pistachios
3. Child's artwork, framed
4. Journal with special inscription inside
5. Teacup with box of herbal tea
6. Deck of cards and book of card game rules
7. Homemade cocoa mix in a pretty jar
8. Collage of special photos
9. Gel pens and pretty stationary
10. Bottle of sparkling cider
11. Home baked bread, include recipe
12. Disposable camera or rolls of film
13. Basket filled with deli cheese and fruit
14. Craft supplies
15. Holiday serving bowl or platter
16. Pretty basket filled with special jams or mustards
17. Decorative napkins and napkin rings
18. Fancy chocolate bars tied with a ribbon
19. Gardening gloves with a plant or flower seeds
20. Photo album, hand decorated is even better
21. Makeup tote
22. Prepaid photo developing envelopes
23. Homemade cookie mix with instructions for baking
24. Variety of bread mixes
25. Special coffee cup filled with candy
26. Fancy magazines tied together with a pretty ribbon
27. Gourmet popcorn and flavored oil
28. Locally made barbeque or steak sauce with basting brush
29. Pancake or waffle mix and a bottle of real maple syrup
30. Movie theater gift certificates
31. Board games
32. Jar of sourwood or pure honey with biscuit mix
33. Note cards and book of stamps
34. Picture frames, buy them on sale!
35. Specialty cookbook
36. Pretty glass jar filled with candy
37. Collectible sports cards
38. Muffin mixes with muffin pan
39. Books, there are still a few for under $10
40. Set of dish towels and dish cloths
41. Nail polish kit
42. Pretty night shirt
43. Basket filled with kitchen gadgets
44. Video rental gift certificates
45. Pepper mill and fresh peppercorns
46. Handwritten copies of your favorite recipes
47. For the pets, gourmet dog biscuits or cat treats
48. Baking pans and supplies
49. Prepaid long distance phone cards
50. Small clock or radio
51. Pretty box for keepsakes
52. Colorful Post-It notepads
53. Address book
54. Christmas ornaments
55. Puzzles
56. Blank video or cassette tapes
57. Sewing supplies
58. Flashlight with batteries
59. Favorite quote embroidered on a nice handkerchief
60. Makeup brush set
61. Expensive socks, still under $10
62. Special soaps and bath puff
63. and don't forget my absolute favorite... home baked cookies!