Like any frugalista worth their salt I am already buying my Christmas presents.
I tend to start doing my gift buying about 6 to 8 months before the event because I have found in the past that if I try to do it any more than that then circumstances can change and what was perfect before now isn't (dessert cookbook for a sister who then looses 30lbs or sweater for a friend who then moves to a hot climate).
I have a list of people and events (raffles) that I am always on the look out for to buy gifts and prizes for and once that list is complete I stop buying. I don't want to fall into the trap that I have see where people see something that is great, but not for anyone on their list. We have all seen it happen or we have done it ourselves. The scenario tends to go like this.
A woman (we will call her Dora) will be standing at a garage sale
contemplating an item while chatting to their friend, "You know who
would love this? Lynn, I think I'll get it for her as a Christmas gift".
So Lynn gets the doohickey for Christmas, the only problem is that
Dora and Lynn have never exchanged gifts before and now Lynn feels
obligated to get Dora something. Following year Lynn gets Dora a
doohickey and now Dora feels obliged to get Lynn another gift.....
There are many people that enjoy playing Lord or Lady Bountiful, buying gifts for friends and acquaintances at every opportunity but when you buy someone a gift that they are not expecting you are putting them in an awkward situation of having to reciprocate. In the past when someone unexpectedly has given me a gift I make it a point of getting together with them latter either in my home or out, for a lunch or coffee as a thank you.
There are many people that enjoy playing Lord or Lady Bountiful, buying gifts for friends and acquaintances at every opportunity but when you buy someone a gift that they are not expecting you are putting them in an awkward situation of having to reciprocate. In the past when someone unexpectedly has given me a gift I make it a point of getting together with them latter either in my home or out, for a lunch or coffee as a thank you.
The whole idea of a gift is to show someone that you care for
them and does not have to be a tit-for-tat endeavor. (That being said I
will often drop off flowers from my garden at friends homes especially
if we haven't seen each other for a while. I don't really consider it a
gift but rather a little treat from me to them).
If you feel that there are just way too many people on your Christmas list then this is the time of year that you should be bringing it up. You can do it casually during a summer BBQ with family or friends or call them up to see how they are doing and steer the conversation to Christmas and gift giving. You will probably be surprised at how quickly most people will agree that buying gifts for everyone is a strain and they would love to have another option of just getting together over the season to visit.
If you are a super barganista that is always finding the most amazing deals for pennies then consider finding a local charity that needs raffle prizes and donate your deals to them. A great raffle prize can help them raise hundreds, and in some cases thousands, of dollars that will go to a good cause.
So what if you are one of those people sitting there sipping on a cool drink and thinking, "Christmas, I don't even have anything for the baby shower I'm going to next week!" you need help organizing your gift giving. Read Saving Money on Gift Giving for some great tips and hints.
Content and Photography
If you feel that there are just way too many people on your Christmas list then this is the time of year that you should be bringing it up. You can do it casually during a summer BBQ with family or friends or call them up to see how they are doing and steer the conversation to Christmas and gift giving. You will probably be surprised at how quickly most people will agree that buying gifts for everyone is a strain and they would love to have another option of just getting together over the season to visit.
If you are a super barganista that is always finding the most amazing deals for pennies then consider finding a local charity that needs raffle prizes and donate your deals to them. A great raffle prize can help them raise hundreds, and in some cases thousands, of dollars that will go to a good cause.
So what if you are one of those people sitting there sipping on a cool drink and thinking, "Christmas, I don't even have anything for the baby shower I'm going to next week!" you need help organizing your gift giving. Read Saving Money on Gift Giving for some great tips and hints.
Content and Photography
Copyright Ingrid Talpak
Morestylethancash
Morestylethancash
My wife and I tried to institute a brag bag system with the family last Christmas because it was just getting out of control. We spend so much money on silly presents when there are much better thigs we can do with it. Unfortunately we got a lot of pushback and so we did shop for everyine but set a very strict limit.
Maybe this year we can institute the grab bag without so much fuss.