Christmas In July

Usually when I start talking about Christmas shopping in July people think I’m nuts.  These same people, though, tend to change their opinion when September and October rolls around and I’ve got most of my Christmas shopping done except for a few odds and ends.

Years ago I did fall into the “last minute shopper” category.  I convinced myself, as well as others, that I enjoyed shopping last minute during the rush.  Truth was, I hated it.  Nothing irritates me more than crowded stores filled with grumpy shoppers, out of stock shelves and paying full price for something I knew was on sale a few weeks earlier or would be 50% the day after Christmas.

With time came wisdom and I evolved into a savvy and smart Christmas shopper.  I started my shopping the week after Christmas and continued to add to my stash of gifts throughout the year.  The first year I did this I ended up buying too many gifts and I had missed a couple people on my list.  Learning from that, I tweaked a couple of things and the following year was more successful.  Not only have I saved a ton of money doing this, I have saved time and the Holiday season has become a lot less stressful.

This year, more than ever, people are trying to stretch the dollar and trim the fat off of unnecessary spending.  I’ve heard a lot of people express that they aren’t sure how they are going to squeeze the Holiday shopping into their budget.  Times are tough financially for a lot of people, but where there is a will, there is a way.  Holiday gift giving doesn’t have to burn a hole in your pocket nor do you need to max out the plastic.  Here are some things I’ve learned over the past years:

1.  Make a list and check it twice…three times…four times!  Write down all the people you purchase gifts for and as you pick up gifts, check them off your list as being DONE.  From experience I know it’s easy to buy a gift for your favorite Aunt during the summer, and a month down the road come across something else that she would really, really like.  Don’t do it.  Forget about it.  Walk away.

2.  Shop the Summer Sales and Clearance Blowouts for some really cheap gifts.  Just because Christmas falls during the Winter months doesn’t mean you have to give boots, coats and hoodies.  Personally, I love getting funky flip flops or lace trim camisoles for Christmas.  Last year, in September,  I purchased a pair of $60.00 sandals from Lands End for only $5.99 shipped and gave them as a gift.  Those sandals were a huge hit.

3.  Clear away the old way of thinking in terms of “I usually spend $50 on this person, $25 on that person, $100 on this person…etc.”  Thinking that you have to spend a certain amount on any particular person will NOT save you money.  Instead, adopt the “a great gift is a great gift” method.  Those sandals I mentioned were an absolute hit and the recipient said, “These must have been expensive coming from Lands End.”  No one had to know that I only spend $5.99 on them.  Last year I got my Mom a $129.99 down vest that she really wanted for only $29.99 shipped.  She was speechless.  The first words out of her mouth were, “You didn’t have to spend that much on me.”  Well, I didn’t, but she doesn’t have to know that.

4.  Buy in bulk.  Take advantage of the “buy some get some free” sales.  A perfect example of this is Bath & Body Works.  They are always having ‘buy 3 get 3 free’ or ‘buy 2 get 1 free’ sales and they normally have an additional coupon to go along with it.   Recently I purchased $120.00 worth of items for only $36.00 shipped from their online store.  Buying in bulk can take care of several people on your list.  Also, take advantage of the ‘free gift with purchase’ offers.  Most of these gifts are of value and can be given to someone on your list.

5.  One HUGE way I saved money was purchasing gifts online and having them sent directly to my family that live out of state.  Most people I know (including myself in the past), purchase gifts at a store, wrap them, put them in boxes, make a trip to the post office and have them sent out.  Last year I decided to to do all of my shopping online for my family and have the gifts sent directly to their houses.  Not only did I find the stuff cheaper online (gotta love coupons), I saved a large amount of money by skipping post office costs.  Most of the gifts I sent I used a coupon for discounted or free shipping.  The only downfall are the gifts weren’t wrapped (you do have the option for gift wrap online, but it does cost money), but no one cared.  They were more impressed by what I sent them.

There are so many other ways to save money with Holiday shopping.  The key is starting early…as in NOW!  Check out the Christmas In July thread or the End Of Summer Clearance Sales &  Blowouts going on now for some great deals or sign up for frequent DealTaker e-mailers for the latest and greatest deals and coupons.