by Susan Hibberd

Created on: November 28, 2009

Christmas can be a very expensive time, and just about everybody overspends. If you are working to a budget this Christmas, keeping the costs under control can be a continuous battle. Follow these few tips and at least you won't be spending too much on the gifts you buy.

Set a Budget

Firstly, set a budget. Work out how much money you have to spend on gifts, and write down all the people you need to buy for. If the list is too long, consider whether some of the people you don't know so well could be given just a card this year.

Look at your list, and see who needs a larger gift than others, eg close family, and who needs just a token gift, eg neighbors, colleagues.

Write next to each person how much you would like to spend on them, and add the column up at the bottom of the page. If this is more than the budget you have set yourself, cut down the cost of some people's presents.

Plan

Plan what you are going to buy each person carefully. If you choose something really personal that shows you know them well and care about them, they will be more pleased than if you bought a more expensive but generic gift.

Think about each person's personal taste and their hobbies. Choose something they will use and treasure.

Do Your Homework

Get onto the internet or into the local stores and check out prices. Don't spend anything until you have checked out ALL the prices in ALL the stores. You will find that if you save $10 one gift it can be added to the value of the gift for another person.

Leave enough time to go through this stage in your gift-buying schedule, as last minute buys are often the most costly.

Be Prepared to Travel

At Christmas, time is of the essence, and as it grows nearer the day there wont' be enough time to have parcels sent to you. Be prepared to drive around and pick up purchases after ordering on the phone or online.

Stick to Your List

It's very tempting to buy lots of little bits and pieces as you go round the shops. A dollar here and 50c there don't seem like much, but they soon add up, and you'll come home and find you have spend an extra $30 without meaning to!

Handmade Cards

If you can't afford to buy gifts for everyone, invest in some handmade card-making kits and create your own card especially for them. Write a personal note inside and include a tiny gift such as a Christmas tree decoration that they can keep from year toyear.

Beautiful Wrapping

Buy beautiful wrapping paper and take the time to create beautiful gift parcels. Take a look at some of the articles on Helium on how to do this. A gift presented in expensive wrapping paper or a fabulous box tied with ribbon will look sumptuous and expensive, even if it is just a small thing.

If you are working to a budget this Christmas, don't stress out about buying huge gifts for everyone. Buy for your nearest friends and family, and send cards to everyone else. They'll understand!

Happy Christmas!

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