6 Creative Approaches to Save Money on Holiday Gifts

Many people get excited about the deals during Black Friday, while others, like me, aren’t as thrilled about spending a lot on holiday gifts. I love the joy of giving, but with leftover bills and my husband’s student loans from grad school, I’m trying to avoid overspending.

If you find yourself in the same boat, don’t worry or feel guilty. Instead, celebrate your creativity and ability to stretch your budget to give thoughtful presents while saving money. Here are some ideas that might help:

1. **Use Swagbucks:** If you haven’t tried Swagbucks yet, think about it for next year. I save up Swagbucks throughout the year and cash them in as a PayPal payout in early November. This year, I redeemed 10,000 Swagbucks, which turned into a $100 PayPal deposit, boosting my gift-buying budget.

2. **Get Credit Card Rewards:** Many credit cards offer points you can convert into cash or other perks. My credit card, for example, lets me trade 5,000 points for a $50 restaurant or Visa gift card. I saved up and exchanged my points for a gift card to a restaurant my mom loves.

3. **Craft Homemade Gifts:** If you’re crafty, homemade gifts can be a thoughtful option. Whether it’s food items or clothing, these gifts show you care. My kids, for instance, loved the scarves their grandma knitted for them.

4. **Shop on Craigslist:** If you’re buying for kids, check out Craigslist for deals. You can often find ‘new in box’ toys at lower prices than on Amazon or eBay. Young kids usually don’t mind if a toy is second-hand, making this a great way to save.

5. **Watch Deal Sites:** I keep an eye on websites like Mamasource, Groupon, and Living Social for great deals on gifts. Once, I found a half-price science kit on Mamasource, which is perfect for my science-loving son.

6. **Draw Names for Gifts:** In big families, drawing names can help cut costs. Each person pulls a name from a hat and buys a gift for just that one person. To be fair, agree on a spending limit for each gift.

The holiday season doesn’t have to mean financial stress. By using these strategies and a little creativity, you can give wonderful gifts without overspending. Do you have any other clever tips for saving on holiday gifts?