We’re in New York and we’re exhausted. I know its the city that never sleeps. Maybe we have jet lag or have just enjoyed the long sessions too much. But we need some sleep which means we need some help. We can’t get as many posts up as we would like so we wanted to know if you would help.
We know the holiday season is coming. To deny it is just to deny the inevitable. But we always love to talk about preparing ourselves ahead of time and planning now to help prevent you from having the money blues after. What we would love for you to share is your best holiday preparation tip! This could be related to budget, cooking, vacation or anything else surrounding the holidays. What would be the one tip that you would love to share with everyone here?
In addition, for helping us by adding to this awesome growing list designed to help give everyone some amazingly helpful advice to get ready for the upcoming holiday season, you are entering yourself into a fun giveaway for a chance to win a $20 Amazon gift card – which could help start or continue your Christmas shopping.
Feel free to read all the comments. We will try to compile them next week and share them so you have them all in one place. But until then, read and enjoy!
How to enter: Leave a comment with your best way to prepare for the holidays. That’s it!
This giveaway will end Saturday, October 15th at 12:00 pm MST.
Ashley Packer
Take long deep breaths…. just kidding. This year I’m hosting Thanksgiving and instead of buying everything I need all at once, I’m gradually stocking up on sale items each week.
Ashley Packer
Take long deep breaths…. just kidding. This year I’m hosting Thanksgiving and instead of buying everything I need all at once, I’m gradually stocking up on sale items each week.
Mami2jcn
Start making lists in early October and buy things slowly as you find coupons or items on sale.
Mami2jcn
Start making lists in early October and buy things slowly as you find coupons or items on sale.
Julie L
Prizes I win from contests I use as Christmas presents…saves me money and I have fun entering them
thanks
Julie L
Prizes I win from contests I use as Christmas presents…saves me money and I have fun entering them
thanks
kasey
Start two weeks ago!! For once I actually am starting early, and I feel way more relaxed and able to make good choices 🙂
kasey
Start two weeks ago!! For once I actually am starting early, and I feel way more relaxed and able to make good choices 🙂
Catie
I actually Christmas shop year round as I find great deals on things. I also buy my wrapping paper/bows/ribbons the days after Christmas when it gets marked down to really cheap. By the time Christmas season rolls around, I have everything I need!
Catie
I actually Christmas shop year round as I find great deals on things. I also buy my wrapping paper/bows/ribbons the days after Christmas when it gets marked down to really cheap. By the time Christmas season rolls around, I have everything I need!
Madonna
Our families usually come to our house for Christmas. Since I have to wrap all of the presents while preparing everything else. Cleaning the house seems to go to the back of the list so I now hire a cleaning service to come in to do that just before the holiday.
Madonna
Our families usually come to our house for Christmas. Since I have to wrap all of the presents while preparing everything else. Cleaning the house seems to go to the back of the list so I now hire a cleaning service to come in to do that just before the holiday.
Hayley Evrard
As a college student, I start shopping for christmas gifts all year round. Also after every season I buy the clearance items so that I’ll have more decorations for when the season comes around the following year. It saves me a lot of money and allows more money for my tuition. I also watch for food sales that are non-perishable or that I can easily freeze.
Hayley Evrard
As a college student, I start shopping for christmas gifts all year round. Also after every season I buy the clearance items so that I’ll have more decorations for when the season comes around the following year. It saves me a lot of money and allows more money for my tuition. I also watch for food sales that are non-perishable or that I can easily freeze.
Tina
Shop on line. Huge time saver and money saver since you probably won’t make as many impulse purchases!
Tina
Shop on line. Huge time saver and money saver since you probably won’t make as many impulse purchases!
Tina
Shop on line. Huge time saver and money saver since you probably won’t make as many impulse purchases!
Tina
Shop on line. Huge time saver and money saver since you probably won’t make as many impulse purchases!
Kristina C
I have 4 small kids and all have birthdays in December and January… on TOP of Christmas. And I host Thanksgiving. So my best preparation tip is to prepare all year long. I pick up gifts here and there as I see great deals the boys will like and I stock up on shelf stable items that I will use when I host Thanksgiving and Christmas. That way I can enjoy the holidays, too, and keep my stress-level and pocketbook in check.
Kristina C
I have 4 small kids and all have birthdays in December and January… on TOP of Christmas. And I host Thanksgiving. So my best preparation tip is to prepare all year long. I pick up gifts here and there as I see great deals the boys will like and I stock up on shelf stable items that I will use when I host Thanksgiving and Christmas. That way I can enjoy the holidays, too, and keep my stress-level and pocketbook in check.
robin leclerc
i shop all year long for the holidays/birthdays…whenever the price is right using sales, coupons, rebates, etc….i also just started using a coupon cutting service that buys the coupons i dont use and sells me the ones i do..u get credit for the ones u send in so u dont have to pay for the ones u need!
robin leclerc
i shop all year long for the holidays/birthdays…whenever the price is right using sales, coupons, rebates, etc….i also just started using a coupon cutting service that buys the coupons i dont use and sells me the ones i do..u get credit for the ones u send in so u dont have to pay for the ones u need!
JENNIFER
Plan Plan Plan and start early! Last year so many stores sent free $ coupons that I made a point to go use them and only spend what they sent. I did receive lots of $10 off $10 last year…made for some great gifts…especially for teachers.
JENNIFER
Plan Plan Plan and start early! Last year so many stores sent free $ coupons that I made a point to go use them and only spend what they sent. I did receive lots of $10 off $10 last year…made for some great gifts…especially for teachers.
Camilla Congrove
Make an EXACT budget and list ahead of time. Way ahead of time. Like, save part of your tax refund in an account especially for Christmas, and decide who you’ll buy for and what your price point is for each person. Then, at the end of summer, determine gifts for each person if possible and start looking out for items in your price point! Last year we sent out xmas cards, bought gifts for ourselves and our two children, and ALL of our large families, and only spent $300. Challenge yourselves!
Camilla Congrove
Make an EXACT budget and list ahead of time. Way ahead of time. Like, save part of your tax refund in an account especially for Christmas, and decide who you’ll buy for and what your price point is for each person. Then, at the end of summer, determine gifts for each person if possible and start looking out for items in your price point! Last year we sent out xmas cards, bought gifts for ourselves and our two children, and ALL of our large families, and only spent $300. Challenge yourselves!
Michelle
Budget for Christmas gifts throughout the year. Buy in advance when you can!
Michelle
Budget for Christmas gifts throughout the year. Buy in advance when you can!
Carrie
Don’t get stuck on one specific gift if you don’t have to. Know your recipients likes and find something for them that is a great deal.
Carrie
Don’t get stuck on one specific gift if you don’t have to. Know your recipients likes and find something for them that is a great deal.
Leslie
I stick with a couple of survey sites and always cash out for Amazon gift cards. I apply them to my account and try not to use that money until it’s time to buy Christmas presents. Then, all I have to do when it’s shopping time is add things to my card and use the gift card balance. I’ve got over $100 since January.
Leslie
I stick with a couple of survey sites and always cash out for Amazon gift cards. I apply them to my account and try not to use that money until it’s time to buy Christmas presents. Then, all I have to do when it’s shopping time is add things to my card and use the gift card balance. I’ve got over $100 since January.
Renee D.
I do my Christmas shopping all year round! I usually finish almost all of it by the end of October so then I can just enjoy the holidays without having to be shopping in all the crowds!
Renee D.
I do my Christmas shopping all year round! I usually finish almost all of it by the end of October so then I can just enjoy the holidays without having to be shopping in all the crowds!
Michelle
Start as early as possible. Make a menu and STICK WITH IT! Make a list from the menu so you don’t run out as you are cooking. LoL. And be sure to enjoy each moment. It only comes once (or twice) a year, depending on which holidays you cook for!
Michelle
Start as early as possible. Make a menu and STICK WITH IT! Make a list from the menu so you don’t run out as you are cooking. LoL. And be sure to enjoy each moment. It only comes once (or twice) a year, depending on which holidays you cook for!
Megan V
My kids and I fill the house with home made decorations, home made goodies, and music. There’s so much spirit that you only need a small present or two to make the day complete. When they’re old enough I’ll let them pick out a present for each other so they can get as much joy out of giving presents as they do opening their own.
Megan V
My kids and I fill the house with home made decorations, home made goodies, and music. There’s so much spirit that you only need a small present or two to make the day complete. When they’re old enough I’ll let them pick out a present for each other so they can get as much joy out of giving presents as they do opening their own.
Krystal
Make a budget and stick to it.
Money envelopes are awesome for Holidays. Write each persons name on a envelope and insert the budgeted amount of money in each.
In the end one kid might have more gifts than another though you spent the same and I think its a good lesson for kids…some things cost more hence less gifts.
Last year I bought so much even in budget that we saved a rubbermaid full for Easter and Birthdays ( and still have some left for this Christmas!)
I shop sales..bogo sales, online deals, Targets big sale etc.
Also Swagbucks ( amazon gift cards) have been a awesome way to stretch my Christmas budget.
Krystal
Make a budget and stick to it.
Money envelopes are awesome for Holidays. Write each persons name on a envelope and insert the budgeted amount of money in each.
In the end one kid might have more gifts than another though you spent the same and I think its a good lesson for kids…some things cost more hence less gifts.
Last year I bought so much even in budget that we saved a rubbermaid full for Easter and Birthdays ( and still have some left for this Christmas!)
I shop sales..bogo sales, online deals, Targets big sale etc.
Also Swagbucks ( amazon gift cards) have been a awesome way to stretch my Christmas budget.
Lauren
The way i best prep for the holidays is to just STAY ORGANIZED! Make lists and keep track of what you’ve spent and who you’ve bought for. I have to do this-or it’s way too easy to overspend.
Lauren
The way i best prep for the holidays is to just STAY ORGANIZED! Make lists and keep track of what you’ve spent and who you’ve bought for. I have to do this-or it’s way too easy to overspend.
Heather Chandler
Our family uses pillow-cases to wrap holiday gifts in. They can then be re-used on the bed or for wrapping next year’s gift to a family member.
Eco-friendly and inexpensive.
Heather Chandler
Our family uses pillow-cases to wrap holiday gifts in. They can then be re-used on the bed or for wrapping next year’s gift to a family member.
Eco-friendly and inexpensive.
Jamie Harrison
I like to start buying gifts as early as possible that way I’m spending a little here and there over a few months instead of one big chunk of money all at the same time.
Jamie Harrison
I like to start buying gifts as early as possible that way I’m spending a little here and there over a few months instead of one big chunk of money all at the same time.
joy person
I start putting money aside months in advance and I stick with my budget. I not only ask family and friends what’s on their wish list but I listen to see if anyone ever hints at what they are wishing and hoping for. When I find a great deal on a gift I know I was plannning on getting I get it. Layaway is always something I do as well and I just make sure every year I have a list of gifts and the stores I need to hit up and if there is a coupon or a sale I make sure to take full advantage of it. I try not to go crazy because in the end it’s not about the presents it’s about the people in your life that matter most and the time you spend with them. 🙂
joy person
I start putting money aside months in advance and I stick with my budget. I not only ask family and friends what’s on their wish list but I listen to see if anyone ever hints at what they are wishing and hoping for. When I find a great deal on a gift I know I was plannning on getting I get it. Layaway is always something I do as well and I just make sure every year I have a list of gifts and the stores I need to hit up and if there is a coupon or a sale I make sure to take full advantage of it. I try not to go crazy because in the end it’s not about the presents it’s about the people in your life that matter most and the time you spend with them. 🙂
Deanne A.H.
This year I started Christmas shopping in about March. I have watched for deals and sales on items my teenagers are interested in. I am just about done . When I do go out and shop, I go with a list of things and stick with it and don’t impulse buy, that is how you overspend. I have been able to get alot more for my money by starting early and not waiting til the last minute.
Deanne A.H.
This year I started Christmas shopping in about March. I have watched for deals and sales on items my teenagers are interested in. I am just about done . When I do go out and shop, I go with a list of things and stick with it and don’t impulse buy, that is how you overspend. I have been able to get alot more for my money by starting early and not waiting til the last minute.