It’s no secret that the holiday season is one of, if not the, most expensive time of the year. Between buying gifts for friends and family, decorations to put up throughout the house, food for that holiday dinner, and anything you may need for any holiday parties — your wallet may be hurting by the time the new year rolls around.
However, it doesn’t always have to be that way. There are so many ways to save money during the holiday season, but many people are too caught up in the hustle and bustle of it that they often forget.
Here are some ways you can save money this holiday season:
Sign Up For Brand Email Newsletters
The biggest sales of the year often take place during the holiday season, both online and in store. Be sure you have first-hand access to these sales and stay on top of offers by signing up for email newsletters. Have you ever noticed when you go onto a brand’s website, often times you’ll see a pop up that says “Sign Up For Our Emails” or something of the sorts? Do it! Many times, when you sign up for emails, you’ll receive a coupon in your email to use for your next purchase. In addition, a lot of stores and brands will offer early access to sales for those who subscribe to their emails. If you end up getting annoyed by the increase of incoming emails, you can always do a purge and unsubscribe once the holiday season is over.
Turn Your Party Into A Potluck
Holiday parties are tons of fun, but depending on the amount of people you plan on having, they can also cost tons of money. One way to save money on your holiday party is by having a holiday potluck. Have your guests put their cooking and baking abilities to the test. The holidays bring some of the best food, and you never know what kind of food your diverse crowd of guests may end up bringing. You may even be able to trade some recipes!
Suggest A “Secret Santa”
If you have a large friend group, the “Secret Santa” method may be the way to go. Instead of everyone buying gifts for every single person in the group, having a Secret Santa allows you to only have to buy for one person. Whether you’re buying that person one gift, or multiple gifts, you’re still likely to save money in the long run. If you’d like to save even more, set a price limit on your Secret Santa gift giving. That way one person doesn’t receive a gift worth more money than the others. Doing this will prevent arguments and bad feelings amongst your group of friends.
Set A Budget & Track How Much You Spend
It’s easy to go overboard with your spending during the holiday season. Perhaps you see something in the store that a particular someone on your shopping list would like, but you already bought them something. Is it in the budget? Keeping yourself on a budget will help avoid impulse shopping and going overboard, which I will admit, is totally something I am guilty of. You’d be surprised by how much money you will save if you stay within your means of a budget!
Make Some Sacrifices & Cut Back
The little things truly do add up. Just think about it, that $5 cup of coffee you grab on your way to work each morning adds up to $25 by Friday — you can buy someone a gift with that money! I know it may be painful to do, but try and cut back, even if it is just for the holidays! I don’t think it will kill you to make your coffee at home for a few weeks.
Take Part In Cheap or Free Holiday Traditions
If you’re anything like me, you have major fear of missing out during the holidays. If my friends are taking part in holiday fun, I want to be there! Good news is there are so many holiday activities that won’t break the bank! Instead of going to an expensive Christmas play at a theater, take a walk or drive through a beautifully lit Christmas village, or maybe even curl up with some hot chocolate and homemade cookies and watch some Christmas movies! There is truly so much to do that will have you feeling festive, while also saving money.
The holiday season doesn’t always have to be painful, as a matter of fact, it should be the complete opposite of painful! As long as you’re mindful of your money spending habits, and time management, you’re sure to have a merry holiday season!
What are some ways you save money during the holidays?