It's no secret I love giving gifts, but things can really add up - especially if you have a big family, multiple kids, or a lot of "small" gifts to hand out (to teachers, coaches, coworkers, the mailman, etc.)

Rather than cut down my holiday giving list I try to save money other ways. Hopefully these tips can help you stretch your budget this season too!

Disclosure: This newsletter contains affiliate links. As an Etsy affiliate I earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through these links.

Ways to Save Money on Gifts

1. Start you shopping early. Black Friday sales are already underway (so early, I know!) so take advantage and check a few things off your Christmas list while they're discounted.
2. Consider buying second hand or making things yourself. This isn't just good for your budget but the environment too!
3. Opt for gift exchange parties over giving everyone gifts. Secret Santa, White Elephant gifts, etc are all fun for families and workplaces!
4. Go in on group gifts. Often times you can spend less money and still give a better gift by pitching in. This is especially great for your parents and boss.
5. Direct ship (instead of mailing). It's not as fun as wrapping things up and sending them yourself but you can save a lot of money by taking advantage of free shipping online and sending right to their door. Subscription boxes are also fun! (You could even go in on one of these as a group too.)
6. Save money on wrapping paper by repurposing - Use things like brown packing paper from shipping, old comic books, or re-used gift/shopping bags as gift wrap. I also buy wrapping paper when it goes on sale after Christmas for next year!
7. Find creative small/cheap gifts for acquaintances. Rather than spending $10 on something store bought for each person put together cute mini gifts that cost less but still feel festive. Think a dollar store mug with hot chocolate packet, cookies, recipe in a jar, homemade scrubs, etc.
8. Gift Experiences instead. Sometimes these can cost more, but if you look for discounts (like Groupon) you can usually find some fun ideas. Sometimes a "cheap" experience gift can be more valuable than a "stuff" gift -for example, $10 Starbucks card vs a $10 box of chocolates.
9. Host some after-Christmas gift exchanges. So many things go on sale right after the holiday season including decor, gift wrap, and a lot of gift items. Consider scheduling some of your holiday get-togethers for early January and enjoy the savings!
10. Look for discount codes for every order. You don't always see them on the big stores but smaller retailers and budget shopping sites like Temu often have promo codes for your first order. I also find a lot of promo codes in newsletters too. (Psst, you can use our code GIFT10 at BloomsyBox.com to save 10%.)

​

Cheap Gift Ideas

Office Gifts Under $20 These are great for coworkers, your boss, or even family gift exchanges. ​ Read article

Best Gifts Under $10 Cheap gifts can still be nice! Here's some of our favs that cost less than 10 bucks. ​ Read article