Smart Tips to Buy Christmas Gifts on a Budget in 2024
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Updated: January 15, 2023
It’s almost Christmas, which means it’s time to buy gifts for the ones you love and it’s a good idea to buy Christmas gifts on a budget. Unfortunately, many of us overspend when we shop for our loved ones. In 2019, the average American shopper accumulated $1,325 in new debt over the Christmas season.
According to the National Retail Federation, Americans are going to spend $997.79 on gifts and other holiday items. Though it’s a bit less than in previous years, it still can lead to raking up unnecessary debt.
So, how can you buy Christmas gifts on a budget and avoid becoming part of this statistic? We’ve developed a guide to help prevent your overspending and save money on Christmas gifts. If you’re concerned that you’ll sacrifice the magic of Christmas by trying to save money, don’t be. You’ll still be able to provide something special for every person on your list.
2024- Christmas Shopping
The coming holiday season is going to be different this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We have prepared several tips to help you get ready for Christmas during this challenging period with more savings and less stress.
- Take advantage of extended Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales
The exact dates for Black Friday and Cyber Monday in 2022 are 28th November. However, these biggest shopping days will last much longer this year – and some sales have already been available online for about a month. Therefore, to avoid crowds and shipping delays and make sure you will buy everything on your holiday shopping list on time, start buying your planned Christmas gifts now.
- Shop for virtual gifts
The rituals of celebrating Christmas and exchanging gifts can be very different in 2022. With the coronavirus second wave, it’s hard to predict the future, and we should try to get ready for any possible restrictions. Digital gifts can help us in case of any unlikely circumstances. Virtual tours like exhibits, online classes, and fitness subscriptions will show your loved ones that you think of and care about them in any situation.
- Consider turning your Airline Miles into Gift Cards
Covid-19 has changed our travel habits drastically. Unfortunately, we don’t know when we’ll manage to return to our usual travel experience. If you’re a holder of an airline credit card and have accumulated some miles, make sure you won’t lose them. Keep an eye on them. If you see that they are going to expire soon, use them for anything other than travel. For example, you can redeem for a gift card that can become a good Christmas present.
- Do a no-gift Christmas
Covid-19 can be an excuse to avoid Christmas gift-giving, at least, some part of it. You will have healthier finances, and the environment might thank you for less consumerism.
16 Tips to Buy Chrismas Gifts on a Budget
The advice on this list can be taken piecemeal, but it will be most effective if used together.
- Make a budget
Determine how much you will spend overall on your gifts. Make a realistic assumption that takes into account how much you are able to spend. A budget that is too tight will be hard to keep, but a budget too big will saddle you with debt.
- Plan your gift list in advance
Time is your friend. Sit down and determine your recipients and possible gift ideas early. Check it twice for omissions, errors, and opportunities to trim the list. Starting this process early will allow you to take the best advantage of upcoming sales.
- Take advantage of big sales
Major sales occur around major holidays, like Labor Day or Thanksgiving. Some big sales, like Amazon Prime Day, are not associated with any particular holiday but offer great savings regardless. For sale days like Black Friday, having a plan is helpful, especially for popular items that may sell out fast. You may need the help of family or friends when shopping.
- Rack up credit card points
The trick is to use your credit card when earning points. This means at the minimum you need to pay off your balance in full every month.
To maximize your earning potential, there are two things you need to do. First, take advantage of stores’ bonus days; and second, spread out your transactions.
Let’s say there’s a promotion earning you 10,000 bonus points for spending $40 (before taxes) on your credit cards. Receiving 10,000 bonus points is equivalent to $10, netting you 25% cash back on your card.
This is in addition to the points you would earn normally. Your shopping totals $252, before taxes. You could pay for the items in one transaction, but you would only earn 10,000 points. Instead, breaking up your items into 6 purchases just over $40 each can earn 6 x 10,000 points. You’ve just earned $60 cash back on the same items.
If you plan to use this strategy, pay attention to the fine print. The promotion may place limits on the card type, for example. Using your primary card may not allow you to maximize the promotion’s cashback. If that’s the case, consider using your specialty credit card, especially if it is a store card with no annual fee. Not only can you receive the maximum cash back, but the card’s benefits also won’t decrease due to the annual fee.
When possible, try to double the points. Credit cards used with a loyalty card can sometimes significantly boost the number of points you can earn. A store credit card may potentially double your rewards.
- Look for coupons
Coupons are much easier to locate online. A quick Google search will find what is available. Some stores send exclusive coupons to their loyalty members by mail, email, and text. Sometimes, the cashier may have a spare coupon he or she will use if you ask nicely.
- Shop from your neighbors
Use Facebook groups and Craigslist for good quality (previously) used items. (If using this method, beware of scams that sellers may use, and always pay attention to your safety.)
- Create homemade gifts
Some of the sweetest gifts are inexpensive and made with love. Send some sugar cookies or popcorn to family members. If you know how to knit or do some other craft, consider making a gift if you have the time.
- Save on wrapping
There are some ways to avoid paying for fancy gift paper. First, see if the store or seller will do free gift-wrapping in-store, or before shipping your gift to the recipient. If not, other options include using brown paper, newspapers, or reusing carefully preserved wrapping paper from last year.
- Focus on the celebration
The true meaning of Christmas is not in what is found under the tree. Fill your celebration with cherished memories by spending time with loved ones.
- Go on vacation
It doesn’t have to be an expensive one. Pack the kids in the car and visit extended family. Rent a hotel room or Airbnb for a few days. If the weather allows, try camping. Santa will know where to find you.
- Purchase a family gift
Instead of getting several individual gifts, consider purchasing an item most, if not all, the family will enjoy. This may be a television, a gaming system, or a board game, for example.
- Use your points to purchase gift cards
If you’re stumped for ideas as to what to get the family, consider gift cards. Many credit cards will allow you to purchase gift cards with the points you’ve earned on your account. Remember, Amazon has (almost) everything, from A to Z, everyone loves Target, and Walmart has what they’re looking for.
- Know your sales cycles
Most goods are cyclic, and you can score deep discounts if you know when to buy. For example, stores put electronics on sale in January to make room for newer versions coming in. Stores generally tend to discount open-box returns from customers. Mid- to late winter is a good time to get snow-gear. Stores will be discounting items for quick sale to make room for the spring and summer collections.
- Look for free shipping
Some stores automatically grant this once you pass a spending threshold. You can get free shipping by purchasing gifts through your credit card shopping portal or choosing the slowest delivery option. In other cases, certain credit cards offer fast, free shipping through third-party companies, like Shoprunner. You may need to sign up, shop through a particular portal, or use a browser plug-in for it to work.
- Let your online purchases sit in the cart for a while before purchasing
Retailers want to close the sale and will often email you discounts to motivate you to complete the sale.
- Look for ways to maximize your purchase
Many credit card portals have links to popular shopping sites: use this method and you may earn extra reward points. Third-party sites like Rakuten.com may offer additional rebates on the products you want in the form of cash back.
Make This Holiday Season Debt-Free
The best gift to give yourself is starting the New Year with as little debt as possible. Ending December with more money in your bank sounds like an excellent way to ring in the new year. Using the guide above, you won’t need to be miserly like Scrooge to buy Christmas gifts on a budget. All it takes is a little work up front, and some time to execute the plan. You, your loved ones, and your bank account will celebrate a joyful holiday season this year.
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I took advantage of early Black Friday deals. I got everyone taken care of and even gave them their gifts early. I’ve only got 4 more Christmas gifts to get and I’m done! And 1 more birthday gift.
Good for you, early planning when buying the gifts it’s always the best, unfortunately, a lot of people are just prone to procrastinating.
I’m usually extremely cheap & don’t spend money on stuff I don’t need. So this year I decided to go all out & spent $2,499 on gifts. I haven’t slept since Thursday because now I want my money back.
Got to let it go now, give yourself a break and enjoy the experience of giving, it’s priceless
I usually buy presents here and there throughout the year, it helps my budget at Christmas time
That’s a great approach, just got to make sure you keep track of all of the gifts, so you don’t overbuy
From my experience – I make most of presents for local family and then buy on Amazon on sale bc shipping has gotten so expensive for me to send gifts
Like most people I prefer buying presents beforehand and one more lifehack from me – for wrapping..I use those fun brown paper trader joes bags. Either side works. On the plain sides…I use other stuff I already have in the house to decorate. Stamps, twine, pretty branches…etc. Warning though..glitter is not loved by all. Ha.
Aldi had wrapping paper and gift tags plus full size very nice cards for 99 cents each. I spent less than $10 on wrapping supplies.
Great tip, the wrapping paper adds a lot to both the expense of the pollution, so reusing the materials is great
Shopping for thrifted gifts also adds to saving the budget
And you can find some unique gifts as well. Unfortutently, it can be hard to do in the pandemic
I’ve been sewing gifts. It’s a hobby I already spend money on so it is a combination of providing a high quality item and getting to practice a skill.
That’s a nice approach and I am sure people appreciate the personal time than went into handmade gift
I start buying the day after Christmas for the following year and am always finished by Oct of that year. This way I spread out the purchases over the course of the entire year
This is the most sound approach to gift buying if you have the discipline and tracking skills!