WORDS: Kristin Louis
The holidays are supposed to be about enjoying time off with the ones you love. But for many parents, holiday cheer gets overshadowed by the financial stress of affording gifts for the whole family. As much as you don’t want to disappoint your children, you also don’t want to be paying off holiday debt well into the new year.
There’s no need to choose between a great holiday season and your family’s budget. Here are some ways you can save on gift-giving this year, along with budget-friendly gift ideas that your kids are sure to love.
Tips for Saving on Holiday Gifts
Set a budget
The holidays aren’t the time for impulse shopping. With every shelf stocked with holiday cheer and promotions flooding your inbox, it’s too easy to overspend if you don’t head into the holiday season with a plan and a budget.
Shop the sales
If you time your holiday shopping right, you can save big. Black Friday and Cyber Monday offer some of the steepest discounts on holiday shopping, but those aren’t the only days to save. December 1 offers the best prices on toys, according to USA Today, and if you sign up for your favorite stores’ email newsletters, you’ll be notified of upcoming sales and special offers.
Search for deals
We all know that the holiday season is a season for deals galore, but sometimes finding the best ones can be a challenge, especially for big ticket items like electronics. Heading to manufacturers’ websites can reveal surprisingly tantalizing special offers, like laptops that can be had for a song.
Another idea is to read reviews from trustworthy websites. You can glean a lot of key information; for instance, child-friendly cameras need to be durable, and some families might like to search out waterproof versions. You can also quickly compare pricing to find one that fits your shopping budget, making it much easier to stay on track.
Buy second-hand
Every parent knows the frustration of spending a small fortune on a new toy, only for your kids to grow bored of it within the week. Lucky for you, that means there’s an abundant supply of like-new second-hand toys just waiting to be discovered. Second-hand gifts are good for your wallet and the planet, and they’re easy to find through online marketplaces like Facebook buy-and-sell groups, OfferUp, Craigslist, and eBay.
Budget-Friendly Gifts for Kids
A monthly book subscription
Are you trying to raise a reader? If so, you’ll love children’s book clubs like Bookroo, My First Reading Club, and Reading Bug Box. These services mail curated books throughout the year to promote literacy and keep your child’s love of reading alive. And with subscription services starting at $16.95 a month, it won’t break the bank.
Maker kits
Whether your kids love science, crafting, or just any opportunity to get their hands dirty, it’s hard to go wrong with DIY kits. From STEM kits to slime kits and more, DIY projects are as educational as they are fun! While there are costly kits out there, you’ll have no trouble finding fun projects under $30.
Outdoor toys
As parents, we’re always trying to encourage our kids to get outside. This holiday season, give your kids a reason to play outdoors with classic toys like NERF guns, a giant bubble wand, and kid-friendly lawn games. Even the scooters that are all the rage are surprisingly affordable.
Board games
Harness your kids’ love of video games into family bonding time with new and classic board games like Clue, Telestrations, Apples to Apples, and Robot Turtles. If your kids enjoy family game night, look into renting board games from local libraries and game stores for even more low-priced fun!
Don’t let the high price of gift shopping leave you saying “Bah humbug!” to the holiday season. There are lots of ways to have a wonderful holiday without spending a small fortune on gifts. From affordable gift ideas to smart strategies for saving, these tips will have you — and your wallet — feeling merry this holiday season.
