The holiday season is also one of the most expensive times of year. Decadent foods, gifts, travel expenses and more can put you in a financial bind. However, the best part of the holidays doesn’t necessarily depend on how much you spend. Make this holiday season special while on a budget with these simple tips:
Focus On Your Strengths
If you go the DIY route, use your talents. Homemade presents are not only okay, they’re more meaningful and more personal than a disposable trinket you bought at a department store. There’s likely a skill you have that can aid you in this creative endeavor. If you enjoy baking, a box of cookies is always appreciated; if you jar fruits or vegetables, maybe some pickled cocktail garnishes would be a hit. For those who like to brew, a six pack of home brewed beer would be a welcome gift for those of age. For those who are more outdoorsy, you may consider a whittled and polished piece of wood that can be threaded with a leather band and worn as a necklace, or a carving of an object or animal that reminds you of the gift’s recipient. No matter what you gift your loved ones, the more personal you make each present, the more appreciative the recipient will be.
Deals, Deals, Deals
Of course, you can save a lot of money on name brand items if you shop sales. Black Friday has gone from a one day event in recent years to a month long sale extravaganza. Furthermore, Cyber Monday sales online can find you the best deals from online retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble and many more. In fact, companies like Amazon extend Cyber Monday deals through the whole week. Even after Cyber Week, online holiday sales abound until the later hours of Christmas Eve. Of course, this doesn’t mean you should spend your entire budget on the first deals you see. Instead, shop around or check prices with auction sites like eBay, only then will you know whether you’re getting the best price for the items you seek.
Travel
If air travel is in the cards for you this season, hopefully you already have your airplane tickets. Airfare ramps up about three weeks before the holidays, before spiking at real highs ten days out. Compare prices across airlines with Skyscanner, CheapAir and Kayak. Keep in mind, the more flexible you can be with your departures, the more likely you are to save. According to Hopper, a flight advisory app, the cheapest flights are on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. If you don’t mind traveling on the day of, you’ll likely see the most savings.
The Dinner
If you’re the host of your holiday get-together, let family and friends share the burden. Create a sign-up for the foods everyone will share. Each person can claim a dish so you won’t get doubles. Look in your own pantry and pick a dish to make that you already have the ingredients for. You can also provide finger food snacks, which are child friendly. If you’re a baker, take this opportunity to showcase your skills. Any dish that can be made from scratch rather than bought pre-made from the store will save you that little extra.
