*This is a sponsored post written by me for Sverve.*
Okay, I know it’s a little early for some of you to be thinking about holiday shopping, but some people are already done! Am I getting you stressed out by mentioning holiday shopping? Sorry, but it is right around the corner and you know you’re going to have face it. So, to help you stay on budget and ease the holiday shopping stress, I’d like to share 10 holiday shopping tips & a free printable.
10 Tips to Stay on Budget and Ease Holiday Shopping Stress:
1. Make a realistic budget and stick to it! If you have XXX amount to spend for shopping, stay within that budget and try to pay for things in CASH to avoid any credit card fees (unless you plan on paying in full).
2. Make a list of everyone you plan to purchase gifts for (free printable below!), what type of gifts you want to buy, AND the top amount you are willing to spend for each gift. So, if you’re planning on spending $10 on a gift, don’t spend $13 – those few extra dollars add up quickly and you’ll have blown your budget. ***Make sure you include your trash collectors, mailman, hair dresser, etc… on your list. Literally, everyone you plan on giving a gift to should be on it.***
3. If you’re buying high ticket items, do some research online and look at performance, reviews, and compare prices for the best deals.
4. Shop the best deals and sales – Black Friday or Small Business Saturday. If you like shopping on Black Friday, make a plan and shop with friends! Know when each store opens and make a plan on how to visit each store. Make a list of things you all want and divide it between each person to get these items and meet up later to continue shopping…if you have the energy 🙂 Make sure you have alternate gift ideas in case the gift you want is unavailable. For those that rather shop online, how about Cyber Monday? Many online stores offer free shipping and a no hassle return policy.
5. Get free gift wrap if it’s offered. You won’t have to spend extra money for wrapping and it’s one less thing to worry about!
6. I know crafting and baking might be stressful for some, but many find it relaxing. How about making your own gifts? Just remember to keep a budget in mind for all the supplies.
7. Take advantage of price matching – many stores will match advertised competitor prices, so check store policies when you shop.
8. Do you know what the hottest toys are for the season? Most will sell out early – been there done that. Find out what hot toys have the #ChosenByKids approval by going to store events, like Walmart’s Holiday Toyland. Come to these events and let your kids have a hands on experience with some of the top 2014 toys! It’s a great way to know what toys they’ll actually like and get a jump start on the holiday season! I know I’ll be checking it out, so check back for a toy product review! Check your local stores for event times and dates – event dates start on October 4th.
Some of the brands you’ll be seeing at Walmart’s Holiday Toyland Events
9. Use layaway. This is great if you don’t want your gift out in the open too early (like a new bike), but want to make sure you have your item. ***Check to see if the store will price match layaway items or match a sale price if the price goes down while your item is on layaway.***
10. Need to shop for relatives in far away places? Save yourself a trip to the post office and ask if the store will ship your gift for you.
There you have it. Just a few ways to help keep you on budget and have a less stressful holiday shopping season. Have you started shopping yet or are you already done?
Free Holiday Shopping List Printable
Great tips, Erlene! And that printable is so lovely. Hope your holiday season is off to a wonderful start!
Hello gorgeous! What amazing ideas.Pinned. We hope to see you at our party tonight at 7 pm. It is so fun to party with you! http://loulougirls.blogspot.com/
Happy Monday! Lou Lou Girls
These are some great tips. I just have the hardest time figuring out what to get people. That is what stresses me out
Erlene,
I must admit that I don’t make lists and set a budget beforehand, and I think I really need to do that this year. Those few extra dollars really add up quickly. Thanks for the printable and the tips!
These are all good tips. I’m glad I’m already finished shopping for this year! Woohoo! I started early, first time ever. I know. I’m proud of myself too. Haha. What an awesome printable. I will be pinning this for next year though. Thanks for sharing!
These are great ideas. Thanks for the printable. I printed out two! One for me and one for hubby!
This is the prettiest list of all! Thank you!
Thanks for the tips. I sure wish more stores offered free gift wrap options!
great tips you have here..thanks for sharing
LOVE this printable! I love lists and so this is very helpful! Thanks so much!
WOW Isn’t this just awesome! Thank you so much – Love it! Now to make sure that I follow it this year…
Your welcome 🙂 I know, it’s so hard to keep to a strict list and hopefully this budget printable will help some.
Love your printable. I printed it out and will use it. What a great event coming up!!!
Glad you can use it 🙂
These are great tips and what a fantastic printable! I love getting good deals by shopping online.
Thanks Kimberly. I prefer shopping online during the holiday season too…anything to avoid the holiday lines at the stores is always a plus for me.
This printable will come in handy, Thanks so much!
Glad you can use it.
What do you think your kids will get you for Christmas? I love homemade gifts from my kids–they make me tear up every time!
Hmm…hard to say, but I do like the homemade cards the best.
Love the printable list! I need to take more advantage of price matching. I always forget about this option, but it’s so rewarding when we do!
I always forget too, but I have become more savvy at finding great deals.
Love that pretty printable! I have to keep a list of some kind for Christmas since our family/extended family is getting so big!
So important to start thinking about budgeting now!
Great tips, Erlene! Love the printable too. 🙂
Thanks for the printable!! I will def use this!!
These are some really awesome tips. I have to admit if I don’t stick to a budget then I’ll definitely spend more than I had planned to.
I love the free printable you have made for us. Thanks for making it and sharing it.
I agree about making a budget and sticking to it. Things can get crazy otherwise!
These are all great tips. I generally buy throughout the year, but this year I’m getting a late start. Your budget worksheet will come in handy.
The holidays can be so stressful. Great tips to keep that stress in check. Thanks!
I worked in retail for many years and witnessed many people become unraveled during the holiday season…lol. Sometimes I think people forget the real reason we celebrate.
I love all your tips and I pinned this to read over again when it gets closer to Christmas. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Jen. I’m usually done by Black Friday, but have lately been braving the BF crowd so a list and a plan of attack is always a must.
I think it’s great and pretty essential to have a system when shopping for Christmas, otherwise it just ends up being chaos. #hobnob
Totally agree. I always make a list or I tend to forget.