Can you believe that Christmas is around the corner? Christmas gift shopping may not be on your mind yet, but it’s a good idea to start planning to avoid the stress and overspending around the holidays. Plan ahead with a budget for Christmas gifts, a gift list and coming up your own wish list for your family.
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Christmas Gift List and Budget
Here is a step-by-step process on how to create your gift list and budgeting for these Christmas gifts:
Using a spreadsheet, create a table like below:
The easiest way to keep track of a gift list and budget is to use a spreadsheet. It’s super handy if you can access the list on your phone when you are out shopping. If you aren’t familiar with how to navigate a spreadsheet refer to this article:
How to Use 4 Basic Spreadsheet Functions to Create a Budget
In the first column, list all the people you want to give Christmas gifts to this season – family, friends, teachers, neighbours etc.
In the second column, come up with ideas for what you want to give each person
Budgeting
Review your budget and determine the total amount of money that you can spend on Christmas gifts. Ideally, you have incorporated a gift fund in your budget and have been saving year-round for it. Take a look at Budgeting 101.
In the third column enter the amount you want to spend on each person. Make sure the total amount of the third column is equal or less than your total gift budget. (Tip: use the sum formula to add up this column)
After you buy each gift, enter the cost in the fourth column. This will help you keep track of your spending and to stay within your budget.
Person | Ideas | Budget | Actual |
Family | |||
Dad | |||
Mom | |||
Kids | |||
Ryan | |||
Teachers | |||
Ms. Claire | |||
Friends | |||
John | |||
Margaret | |||
Total | Total Budget | Total Actual Spending |
Christmas Gift Ideas – Shopping on a Budget
Gift cards – use up those gift cards you have collected over the year for gifts
Reward programs (PC Optimum, Air Miles, Aeroplan, credit card rewards etc) – can you purchase gifts using those points?
Online shopping – is a great option when you don’t have time to hit the stores.
Have you heard of Rakuten? It is a great program that gives you cashback when you shop online and it is so easy to use. It is formerly the Ebates program. You go to the Rakuten website first and from there you go to your online store of choice. You make a purchase online and they will give you cashback to be redeemed at a later time. Sign up here and you will get back $5 after you spend your first $25. Related post: How to Use Rakuten to Get Cashback
Shopping on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. This year Black Friday is on November 29, 2019. A great day to scoop up good deals and get a lot of physical shopping done on Friday and online shopping on the Monday (a prime time to use Rakuten!)
Homemade gifts Use your special talent to make your own gifts!
Experience gifts – instead of a physical gift, how about passes to the zoo, playground, activity classes, amusement park, or the movies?
Mabel’s Labels – this is a great idea for a gift! These labels are cute and super useful. Label belongings to ensure that things don’t get lost at school or daycare. Save time and money from having to buy new items to replace lost things. They are dishwasher safe, microwave safe and waterproof. You order these labels online and they offer free shipping. Check it out here:
Christmas gift wish list
Create your own wish list for your family. Your friends and family may ask what your kids would like for Christmas. Receiving needed and wanted gifts will save you money, time and space. You receive less unwanted/unneeded items that may clutter up your home. You save time from having to go return or exchange gifts.
Think of what the kids may need over the next 6 months or more. Do they need new clothes, shoes, school stuff, or items related to their extracurricular activities? What do they specifically want for Christmas? Another way to approach a wish list is to make a list about: kids’ age, favourite colour, clothes/shoe size, favourite activities etc.
Perhaps a cash gift is the best option for your family. Suggest a cash gift or a gift card to a specific. Consider putting the money towards an education fund (RESP).
Christmas is a time to celebrate and spend time with friends and family, but it is also the season for gift giving. Plan ahead by budgeting, coming up with a gift list for others and also your own family’s wish list. It will save you time, money and prevent stress around the holiday season! Cheers 🙂
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It’s a great lists and I enjoyed reading this!
Great List! I enjoyed reading it.
I’ve never heard of Mabel’s Label’s before, I am IN LOVE with the fact that they are dishwasher safe! I am sure handwashing really well does the job, but I prefer the high heat of dishwashers so I know my little one’s stuff is as clean as can be! I am definitely going to check them out.
I love Mabel’s Labels! They have great sales around Black Friday 🙂
Great tips for making a Christmas budget! I’m all about experience gifts versus gifting things, at least for my kids. I’d much rather spend money on a fun family experience.
Thanks Rebecca! I am trying to go for the experience gifts this year as well!
Yep, I do a lot of these! Interesting idea to think ahead when receiving gifts. I think another way to save is to shop around and make sure you’re getting the best price.
Yes for sure! Shopping around for the best price is another great tip!
Lord knows I get too. Arrived away when it comes to Christmas I lose all senses. I love the tips given here and will be incorporating some this year.
There’s so much that goes on around Christmas that we all lose our senses 🙂 Good luck with your shopping!