by Aly Mae

Created on: February 12, 2009   Last Updated: June 19, 2009

When you have children, Christmas may sometimes be almost a scary thing! Especially when the income you make is usually set back for bills. Then you have to worry about coming up with extra to buy gifts. Being a stay at home mother of two children has made me think more about how to save money on gifts. The first year I had my daughter my husband was laid off in November and we were devastated. What money we had was important to keeping our bills paid until he found another job, but we were both so heartbroken that we were not able to provide them with the Christmas we had dreamed. The last couple Christmas's have been so much better thanks to the ways I learned to save some money, regardless of your financial situation.

For one, gradually buying stuff throughout the year can help tremendously. Example, buying something when you have a larger than normal paycheck, or just perhaps when you see something at a good price that you think they might like, will severely cut back on the spending you do when Christmas actually rolls around. When buying very early in the year however, try to think abou the fact that they will be almost a year older come Christmas time, so try to buy age appropriately. At least keep in mind that their interests may change.

Another way to save money on Christmas gifts is to start a savings folder especially for Christmas, at the beginning of the year. Even if you can only afford to throw in ten or twenty dollars every paycheck, it will add up throughout the year. Also, if you have some to spare, throw in some extra when you get your taxes back. With money saved up, you will not have to worry about making bills at the beginning of the year.

As your children get older, they tend to play with their things less and less. A good way to save money is to limit the gifts to one or two major gifts, and then thrift shop a little for more gifts that will be basically for the joy of opening and receiving. Or perhaps you can buy a larger or more expensive gift, then buy cheaper items that may go with the better gift.

Finally, the thing that really saved my behind this year...was shopping on line! I can not even begin to tell the money I saved this way. On eBay alone, I saved about $100 on gifts that I really wanted to get for my kids. Yes, you may have to start shopping a month or two ahead of time to ensure delivery before Christmas, but it is amazing the deals you can find on line.

What it all comes down to is that no matter HOW MUCH you actually end up spending, it is the thought that counts and as long as they get a few items that they really enjoy, they will be happy and grateful!

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