Holiday Giving In Tough Economic Times

Many people are concerned with the current economic situation and are wondering what they can do to help themselves save more money.  They are even more concerned about it when they realize that the holiday season is quickly approaching and they want to give gifts to many people.  The holidays are a time of year when people generally spend a lot of money on gifts.  Because it is a time when people spend a lot of money, it will also be an opportunity to save a lot of money.  No matter what kind of financial situation you are in, there are many things you can do to help your pocketbook when there are rough economic times.  Here is some more information to help you make good decisions with your money and to make the most of the limited budget you have during the upcoming holiday season. 

Many people find that it is difficult to spend less or no money at all on friends and family even when they are able to save on food and other expenses throughout the rest of the year.  No matter what the TV ads say, there is really more to the holidays than just giving and receiving gifts so it is also important to make sure that you remember that being with family and friends if much more important than impressing them with an expensive gift.  One of the most fundamental things that you can do to save money on your holiday shopping is to set a budget and to stick to it.  There are many ways you can do this; you can set a specific amount for each person you plan on giving a gift to, you can set a specific amount you want to spend overall on all of your gifts, etc.  There are many ways to approach a budget.  You need to make sure that your budget is reasonable and that you can really afford to buy all of the things you want to give as gifts.  You should also make sure that you have your budget visible and that you stick to it even when something comes up that you would really like to give.  One practice that will allow you to stick to your budget more easily is to take at least a day to consider your purchase when you find something you believe you want or need to give so that you can make the best decision after analyzing it from all angles.  If you keep this one thing in mind, there will be many cases when you will realize that you really don't need or want the thing you originally though of.  After all, you lived without it for a day after you thought you had to have it, so you can probably live without it for a lot longer as well. 

It is also a good idea to keep from buying your gifts with credit cards when possible.  Many people find that they are paying for Christmas gifts long after the festivities and parties have ended.  A sound financial bit of advice is that you shouldn't buy anything with a credit card unless you have the money to back up the purchase. It's a good idea to take only cash with you when you go gift shopping.  This will also make it less likely that you will buy something on sheer impulse before you really think it through.  Some people are uncomfortable carrying cash and if this is the case then you can use your debit card that takes money directly from your bank account.  It is also important to keep in mind that you should shop around for the things you want to buy.  The super "Day after Thanksgiving Sales" may not really be the best places to get your gifts.  Yes, the prices are very low, but sometimes when you compare quality, you will also find that it is lower than you would normally find for the particular product you are buying.  This may be especially true of electronics which are among the most popular and common gifts given during the holiday season.  You can also start shopping around early so that you know when you are really getting a good deal.  If you compare the prices after Thanksgiving to the ones before, you may realize that it isn't worth the trouble to go very early to do your shopping.  You should also shop around online if you are comfortable purchasing from websites.  They may offer specials or free shipping so that you don't have to leave the house when you do your shopping. 

It's also a good idea to simply be creative and to do something that you have never done before.  Many people have a special talent that could allow them to offer a unique gift.  In all reality, many people may even be sick of the `usual' gifts they get for Christmas and will really appreciate something original or homemade that was intended specifically for them.  You may know how to build something special or how to create something from scraps that could then be used around the house or as some kind of decoration.  You may even be able to take a class at a craft store or hardware store that will teach you how to make something new or that you have never tried before.  Many stores offer these classes for free or offer discounts on the supplies needed to make the item at the store.  Even if you don't end up using the item you make as a gift, it can be a great way to learn how to do something new.  One gift that you can give that will help people remember you, is a framed picture.  The frame is reusable and allows the person you give it to, to use it for years to come. You can find great frames at garage sales and can also add your own unique touch to these items.  Don't be afraid to shop at second hand stores because theses places often have things that are new or nearly new that you can then reuse to make the most of your budget. 

If you are not in a position to give a gift to as many people on your list this year, you can still let them know that you are thinking of them by sending a themed holiday card.  You can find these quite economically at many stores all over, but there are also things you can do to make your own cards and make it even more personal that other gifts.  You can have your kids make parts of the cards or cut out the shapes you'll use on the card yourself to make it completely customized.  You can also hide messages in the card or send multiple cards to spell out a special message to the recipient.  Be creative with the things you use and the way you deliver the card as well.  If your friend or family member lives close enough to you, you can make a special visit to deliver the card that will mean more than just the card on its own. 

If you aren't sure what you want to get someone but are aware of a store the particularly like or spend money at regularly, then you can get them a gift card.  Many places now offer the ability to customize gift cards.  You can take a picture of your family or of some other picture they will recognize and put this on the card.  They will remember that it is from you and will think of you when they choose the item they buy with the gift card.  In a way you are giving the best of both worlds.  You are giving a gift as well as the opportunity for them to choose what they really want the gift to be.  If you can't think of a specific store or item they would want, then you can buy a general gift card, like a Visa, MasterCard, or American Express that will allow them to buy whatever they want wherever they want.  You have lots of options when it comes to giving a gift card for the holidays and for a recipient who is struggling financially in these tough economic times, a simple gift card may be more valuable than you realize.  For close family members you can also give coupons or `gift cards' that allow them to redeem them for special items or services.  This will take some creativity for you to think of what you want to give, but they are fairly simple to make and to use.  A husband may offer his wife a free massage coupon that can be redeemed.  You may also give a free night of babysitting to a neighbor or friend.  There are many people who would rather have a night away from the kids all to themselves than many other things.  You need to remember that you should be creative in what you choose to offer and make sure that it is something that would be meaningful and appreciated by the person you are giving it to.  Be creative with what you choose to do in the end and you will find that there are many different ways to do your holiday giving even in tough economic times.