From now until Christmas, I will be sharing my tried and true tips for saving money on Christmas and holidays. Everything from your gift shopping, your holiday cards, teacher gifts or even Holiday Entertaining....in this economy, we all need to save some money!
You know what you need to buy for everyone else (or at least have a vague idea), but then your dad calls you and says "Hey Min! What do YOU want for Christmas?" (ok - maybe your dad doesn't call you "Min")
Of course, our natural response as mature, polite and-non-gift-grabby-people is "Oh - I don't really need anything!". Let me tell you...your dad (or mom, or husband or grandmother) wants to KILL you for that response!
So before we get completely wrapped up in buying for others, let's take a minute to make a list for ourselves so that we are prepared for when our dad calls us on December 22 to ask what to get (ahem - not that I would even KNOW about that, but it IS a tradition...and a cherished one at that!)
On my list:
- Fire-engine red Coach bag
- Wolfgang Puck Immersion Handheld Blender.
- Olive oil (I know it sounds crazy, but have you seen the prices lately?)
- A simple sterling cross on an 18" sterling box chain
- Really awesome and fun slippers
- Yoga and/or PJ pants for those days when I just want to chillax while finding you the deals
What is on your list? Don't have one? Start creating it now..your family will thank you!
Make sure you that check out the rest of the Countdown To Christmas tips that I have posted! Do you have a tip to share? Submit your Holiday Savings Tips and they might be featured in a future post!
** Note: these tips apply to everyone at this time of year and I mean no disrespect to those who don't celebrate Christmas. I just thought "Countdown to Christmas" was a catchier title for a series than "Let's Get Ready For Whatever Holiday You May or May Not Celebrate" **
celia
I asked for( and am getting) a jug of maple syrup. http://www.berkshiresweetgold.com/ YUM! I also asked my husband for an overnight trip to The Hershey Hotel( I love it there) so I can have a pre-natal massage and see my ankles again. We may or may not do that because it is a veeeery high ticket item. But it is my favorite place to go in the world and with March bringing us a newborn to join our toddler I figure it will be a treat I can dream about when I get back on the NO SLEEPING EVER roller coaster. Then I just asked for stuff I need like pajamas and new bathroom towels. I would REALLY love it if someone would get me a basket of my favorite Mrs. Myer cleaning products but no one thinks cleaning supplies are a suitable gift except me.
I have a dated list of chores to be completed for Christmas so we can be done before I hit the third trimester. We already made all our jams and mustards and only have a batch of marmalade to can and that will be all done and ready to go!
Heather D.
What about asking for vouchers from people to use around the time/when your child comes? They could be anything from taking your toddler for an hour, cleaning your house, bringing over food, etc. I gave my sister-in-law a meal when both of her children were born. It was one less thing they had to worry about with a newborn in the house and really appreciated.
celia
That would be awesome, but I have tried many times over the years to get my family interested in gifts of service or home made exchanges. They are not only not interested but act like I am crazy. That's just how they are. It's ok.