Doing Christmas on Basically a Zero Budget
I know what you’re thinking…”Is it really possible to have Christmas on a zero budget?? It sounds too good to be true!” Well, it’s certainly possible, though it’s going to take a little work and planning…
Check out these 10 tips:
1. Take inventory
Start by looking around your house. Gather up ALL your spare items- books, clothes, toys, electronics, spare appliances, etc., then separate them into items that are giftable, and items that can be sold to buy gifts. I guarantee you have more than you think!
2. Raid your gift closet
A gift closet is a designated area (not necessarily a closet), where you store gifts throughout the year, as you find the best deals on giftable items. Gift closets are essential to saving the maximum amount on gifts! If you don’t already have one, start one now for next year! (Don’t forget to stock it with post-holiday clearance essentials, like wrapping paper!)
3. Write down everyone you need to buy for
This is a great starting point for putting together a game plan for gifting. Get this FREE Printable Christmas Gift List HERE.
4. Gather up your current gift cards
Those gift cards can be re-gifted, used to buy gifts, or sold to buy gifts. You can also sell gift cards on sites like eBay and Raise. If you’re planning to give gift cards as gifts this year, check out this fun DIY Gift Card Snow Globe idea.
5. Take advantage of rewards programs, email offers, survey opportunities and MORE
Some credit card companies offer huge rewards, in addition to programs like Disney Movie Rewards, Pampers Rewards, Huggies Rewards, Kellogg’s Family Rewards, My Coke Rewards etc.
Also, be sure to sign up for for email offers, free catalogs and more from your favorite stores to get exclusive offers! By doing so, you’ll be able to score freebies from popular stores like L.L.Bean, Eddie Bauer, Staples, Bath & Body Works and more.
Also, did you know that you can use your frequent flyer miles on magazine subscriptions? Yep! Mags for Miles allows you to spend those spare miles on magazine subscriptions, which are totally giftable! This is a great option for those of us who don’t typically accrue enough miles to actually earn a free flight, or whose miles are about to expire.
Speaking of free magazines, you can also easily earn FREE magazine subscriptions by taking simple surveys. All the info here.
Plus, if you do opt to gift a subscription, grab these FREE Printable Magazine Gift Subscription Cards/Tags!
6. Watch local yard sale sites
Keep an eye on your local Craigslist-type sites and Facebook groups. People are constantly listing things for “FREE – just get it out of my house!” – I know, because I’ve done it! Many of these items are new, or like-new, and totally giftable. You just have to be on top of it because they always go quick! You can find great low-cost gifts on these sites too.
7. Keep up on sales ads and use coupons
So this isn’t a zero-budget tip, but with the money you are able to round-up from various areas, you should be able to spend very carefully on your top priority items. Watching Black Friday Sales is a great way to check items off your Christmas list for less cash. Keep in mind that MANY of the Black Friday sales will also be available online.
And of course, couponing is a great way to grab free/cheap candy and other items that make great gifts and stocking stuffers.
8. Sign up for free samples
Many free samples can be used as stocking stuffers (think beauty samples), and November is usually a great month for scoring freebies! Be sure to bookmark Hip2Save’s freebie section.
9. Host a gift swap
That weird quesadilla maker your in-laws gave you last year that’s still sitting in the garage unopened might not be something you can gift to anyone YOU know, but maybe your neighbor has a recipient who would love it. Have everyone bring unwanted items and swap them out. This is a great way to switch out kids’ toys, too!
Speaking of hosting a gift swap, be sure to check out this post all about hosting a White Elephant Gift Exchange! There are some great tips AND FREE Printables.
Tip: Plan this early so you have time to prepare/cleanup any gifts that need it (like a fresh coat of paint on that new-to-you dollhouse).
10. Sensible handmade gifts
Let’s be real here… 😉
We ALL know that this is typically how handmade/crafty gifts go, right?? Don’t fall into this trap! If you don’t have the supplies on-hand, then skip it!
HOWEVER, there are a million ways to re-purpose or use items you already have for something very giftable. Be sure to check out Lina’s Christmas Craft/ DIY Gift ideas! Some of my favs – Santa & Reindeer Hot Cocoa Cones, Homemade Gingerbread Play Dough, and Homemade Peppermint Lip Balm!
You can also utilize your talents… are you great at refinishing antique items? Pick some up at the thrift store or an online yard sale group! Do you make the world’s best jam? Gift it! Consider making handmade coupons for things too – you can offer a free night of babysitting, help with yard work, gardening, house work, etc. Be creative!
I made the Reindeer Hot Cocoa cones last year. They were awesome! One word of caution. Get your package of red pom-poms before the month of December. In my area they were sold out! Didn’t realize so many holiday crafts called for red pom-poms. Who knew?
What a perfect holiday post! Love all of these low cost ideas! People get so caught up in spending money during the holidays, thanks for sharing some alternatives.
Thx so much !.I love the gift snow globe. My two boys will have so much fun helping me make them.,plus it will give us something to do during thanksgiving break. Keep up the good work.!
OT I got a 20% off $100 purchase from American Girl and won’t be needing it. Expires 11/22 SUPCF8966QGEW5 or it could be SUPCFS966QGEW5. 🔎
Thanks for the code.
That was really kind!
I wish whomever used it would have replied that it had been used so as to save time from building a cart.
Cami, do you need a code? I have one I will not be using.
I need an American girl 20% off coupon if anyone isn’t using it.
If anyone else has a code as well, I’d really appreciate it!
I need an AG code if anyone has one. Thanks!!!
I need an AG code if anyone has one they’re not using. Oatmealbabygirl@yahoo.com. Thanks!!!
Oh my! If anyone else has any more American girl codes I could definitely use it. Thanks!
Thank you for posting this. This is so helpful for my family this year. We’ve had a really hard year financially and are struggling to keep our heads above water. I had to stop working for medical reasons and my husband had his hours unexpectedly cut. We have 2 young girls and the pending holidays have been so worrisome for us. We’ve been really stressed about how we’re going to do Christmas for our kids this year as we can barely keep our utilities turned on. So, thank you for all of your suggestions. And thank you for your site in general. I posted something last week about looking for frugal gift ideas and received such an amazing outpouring of kind words and even a couple generous people who sent spare gifts or a gift card. It really lifted my spirits so much. Your website is so wonderful and I’m just constantly overwhelmed by the sense of community that has been created on here. It’s been such a life saver for me this past year when we’ve really been at our worst.
I know this is probably a long shot but, I’m trying hard to use the shutterfly codes I’ve received to get some free gifts for family members. But, the shipping is just too high for me. If anyone happens to have a shipping code they won’t be using I would put it to good use.
Simplemamasaves@gmail.com
I will try my best to pay the kindness forward once my family gets our feet back on the ground.
Contact your local police department asap, as they do a “shop with a cop” program to get a few nice gifts. No shame in needing help!!
I can’t help with the shutterfly, but I would encourage you to post on your local mom’s and/or tag sale groups that you’re looking for stuff for your girls for Christmas. People are *very* generous!
Don’t forget church programs….maybe check to see if your local tv station is collecting toys for a local organization like toys for tots…Also, check with your local government officials-city councilman,etc.– to see if they know of any programs. That’s all I can think of right now but I really hope you’re able to get what your children need and want.
Hi Stacie! Try contacting Catholic Charities in your area. They provide many types of assistance year round. At the holidays they can help with Christmas. God Bless your family. Also, if you have a Sears or Kmart close by, sign up for shop your way. Play the Sweeps and the Win It app. You can accumulate points and get things for free or cheap. This is one way we use to purchase gifts on a tight budget.
You can fill out toys for tots forms online. Also call 211 from a landline ( it’s a library service and they should have the info for local groups that could help you with food pantries/clothes/utilities (HEAP form esp. If you live in a cold state), toys programs.also make sure to let them know if you’re a veteran.
Not sure if this will help anyone…but I work at a Catholic hospital and I know around the holidays we do a lot of things for those who are struggling financially such as our “Christmas Shoppe” which is put on by our Foundation and donates outfits, toys, and food to families (We actually set it up as a mini store and let the parents choose the gifts and then we wrap them). So, point being, it’s always worth calling around to various hospitals or Catholic orgs in your area to see if they have any type of assistance for those who are struggling this holiday season.
I also can’t help with the shutterfly codes, but check with your kiddos school, or the local elementary or middle schools- they usually run programs at the holidays to bless local people in need.
This is a really great post! This is the first year things have been tight for us around the holidays and I have done many of these things but some of them are new ideas for me! I’ve had a ton of luck selling things on the mercari app and I’ve bought a lot of brand new toys on there with the money I’ve made! I sell my clothes on Poshmark. I also save all the gift cards I get from target from deals through out the year and use those as well! Anytime I get a $5 off 5 or 10 off 10 coupon I always go and find something to get for a gift that will be close to free!! All this has been possible for me because of hip 2 save! Thanks so much 🙏🏻😀💕
So happy to help, thank you! 🙂
Haha….I love that gift list!! Except my husbands side is completely empty!! He told me the other day ‘Just order that necklace you’ve been eyeing. Its your Christmas present’
Hahaha, typical husband. You have to get your own gift. Me too…so funny!
I second that lol… I looked at the list and said to myself, at least for her the husband’s side says wife, on our list the husband’s side is empty 🙂 I wanted Roomba for Christmas and 2 weeks ago he came in with a box that had the Roomba in it and said, here, your Roomba is here. Oh God, I said you could have hidden it and give it to me on Christmas. He said you can hide it if you can resist not opening it lol…. Of course I could not resist. Opened it right there and then….
Shortly after we were married (22 years ago, yikes!) my husband sweated bullets trying to pick out just the right simple gold hoop earrings I told him would be a good Christmas gift. He was miserably uncomfortable in the jacket I bought him.
After that we agreed that two adults, each possessing credit cards and a drivers license, should just buy what they want and be done with the “gift” concept.
thank you so much colllin ..:)
hi i am looking buy toddler bed set in box ($99 each) at blackfriday deal at walmart
i am interested frozen bed one but my 3 1/2 years daughter interested in minni mouse bed. i cant decide what theam bed to buy . my husband comfort me like once she started day care and school she will start liking frozen princess bed dont worry . but i am not sure
some one help me is really kids likes will change once start school( As of now she mommy pet :D) and guide me what theam best for her bed room
I’d get her a regular bed – twin or full – that she can use for years and a versatile comforter and accessories. I’d limit character/themed items to ones that are fairly cheap and easy to swap out as her tastes change – like a sheet set, decorations sitting on a floating shelf or picture frames with cheap posters/printables. If you need to stay in the $99 range, you can probably find the bed frame on Craigslist and stick with a basic mattress – you can add a memory foam pad or pillow top cushion when she gets older. If you’re worried about her falling out of bed, line up pillows next to the bed, leave the mattresses on the floor or get one of those safety ‘walls’ that slide between the mattresses. My daughter’s 7 and her favorite characters change ALL THE TIME. As it is we’ve switched colors once (light pink is now for babies) and themes 5 times. (Butterflies/flowers to flowers/Minnie to butterflies/flowers/owls to Disney Princess to Paris/fashion).
Thank you Mommy … thank you so much
mommyspendsless you are right on! Exactly what i would recommend. we did this for our son and he still sleeps in the twin bed and hes 14 years old
We bought our then 3 y/o a reg bed & used a gigantic pool noodle or foam roller tucked under the sheet so she wouldn’t fall off 👍🏻😃
In my area these toddler beds are always up on craigslist or yard sale sites. You may try posting ISO for one or keeping an eye out.
Or…do a twin bed with Minnie sheets. Put just the mattress on the floor with or without crib rails (always around for $5 on my Craigslist!).
We moved my older daughter from crib to double bed (on floor, in case she rolled) at 18 months. My current 18 month old will be in the crib until she’s in college. At that point she’s going into a twin!
Love this post! I think we all have some extra Yankee Candles from all of the deals this year hanging around.
I sure do!! Gifts for coworkers, friends and family!!
I’m attempting to find a pic.
Of Danielle to put a face with her posts. There is a old pic of your sidekicks In the “new here” section. You have currant pics of the team, but I’m not easily finding one labeled whoes who. Point me in the direction if you do! Great reminding info in the post! Thanks!
Thank you for this! I love the post! I’ve been using the Bath and Body Works coupons like crazy and saving the items I get to use as Christmas presents! I also use the website Mercari to sell items around my house that I know I won’t be using or don’t have a use for anymore! I’m saving the money from that to buy Christmas presents that I maybe don’t have a coupon for! 😉 If your interested in trying Mercari, here’s my referral code. 🙂 Use my code “NZSEWQ” to join Mercari and get $2 off your first purchase!
https://www.mercari.com/dl/
I’ve kept all my free samples this year and I am using them for stocking stuffers. I feel like I spend more on stocking stuffers than I do gifts! I cashed out my Walmart Savings Catcher, Ibotta, Savings Star, and Checkout 51 that I have accumulated since the beginning of the year. I will be buying gift cards with them. I turned my Ebates rewards into gift cards as well. I taught myself to can this year, so I’ve made jams to give as gifts. I also shop the day after Christmas for the next year’s gifts. Every bit I can save helps! I owe a lot to Collin and her crew for all the awesome deals they post!
I really wish we would get back to keeping gift giving simple. Especially Christmas. I love to surprise people I love with special things through out the year…when they are having a tough time, when I find something that they love..
I have always abhorred the idea of “I have to buy a gift ” just because it’s expected at Christmas! I would love to see more gifts of time and of ourselves rather than trying to outspent and create a culture of who gets more! Reality is that far too many children and adults around the world are happy with far less than any of our children could fathom. Sorry….I will step off my soapbox lol. ❤
I agree! When my brother and I were in our early-mid twenties we would still do Christmas exchanges in our family. I realized that we were giving each other detailed lists and focusing all our Christmas season time on budgeting and shopping. Our main holiday activities were gift exchanges but I realized how silly it had gotten when two familt members gave each other equal-dollar gift cards. It had lost the joy and meaning. I finally suggested we stop and spend our gift giving budgets on activities and spend our time on Christmas playing games or doing crafts/baking/etc. Now that there are grandkids we have reintroduced some presents and my mom still does stockings but the holiday season is much less stressful overall
Absolutely! I think we could be friends!!!
Totally agree, Carrie! You’re not alone! : )
Great post, thank you for the list. Hubby and I are so grateful for each other, the way we give to each other n family n have realized we have all we need therefore this year through the month of December we’re giving each other encouraging notes and an extra nice card for Christmas as our Christmas gift. The kids will get a family gift that they use/share with the family. We’re also continuing to buy candy to make goodie bags for the homeless.
You’re welcome, and great ideas!
Here’s a $20 Off Holiday Cards From Shutterfly: KEBF-07SV-4134-DMR9U1 *Apply code at checkout by
12/28/16* http://www.shutterfly.com/kelloggscard Offer is good for $20 off one qualifying cards order of $20 or more (after select discounts and before taxes, shipping and handling)
Thanks susan… someone already used..
My husband bought my engagement and wedding rings at a chain jewelry store and for major jewelry gift-giving holidays (Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Christmas, anniversary date, etc) he gets a voucher. The voucher amount varies by holiday, sometimes it’s a free gift and sometimes it’s up to $100… but lots of times it doesn’t have a minimum. At those times, his mission is to go there and spend as little as possible on me for a nice little piece of jewelry. He knows that I’m such a bargain freak that I’ll love the gift even more when he tells me he only spent $5 on it! LOL! I keep saying that one day the store will catch on and stop sending him vouchers, but until then that’s all I ask him to get me for Christmas… and our anniversary, etc. 😋
I posted this on a different post a few days ago. I thought it might be helpful here as well…
Last year I utilized the “share your codes” posting on hip2save. I traded coupons and gift cards I had, for ones I could use (say a 10/10 jcpenney coupon for a 10/10 charming charlie coupon), and then would use them to buy gifts. This was a great way to say money and get things that I would use to buy gifts.
I usually cash out my loyalty rewards this time of year (Kellogg’s, my coke rewards, pampers, ect) and use the giftcards or items to buy gifts for my family.
I also shop clearances all year (online and end of season in store) and already have most of my Christmas presents (most averaging $3) bought by the time October rolls around. For my husband, I also buy one item that is more expensive and he needs. I also buy duplicates of the same item in a different color if the price is good. For instance, I purchased 2 sets of pocket squares, and two sets of tie bars and lapel pins with the recent Jos. A Bank deal posted on Hip2Save. I paid $2.68 each, tax included. I will give my husband one of each for Christmas, and save the other sets for prizes for an upcoming vacation.
For my close family, I also like to handmake or personalize an item to save money and make the gift meaningful; pillow covers, shutterfly ornament, shirt with an iron-on, ect.
For my mom and sisters, I will be making gift baskets full of makeup, lotion, and shampoo that I got for cheap from coupon deals at target throughout the year. I have also heard of people making first aid kits for presents using this same method.
I buy my white elephant gift exchange gifts (I know how many parties I will likely go to) on 70-90% off Christmas clearance the year before.
I also get free magazine subscriptions (from hip2save, recyclebank, ect) throughout the year and send to people (extended family- ships free! And close family to add to what I give them) as gifts. I log into the magazine website customer service, and pause the subscription until December or January. This allows me to stock up on magazines, and get a subscription to popular one while they are available.
Additionally, I get free children books from Kellogg’s during the beginning of the school year buying food I buy anyway. I gift these books to children in the family, but they would also make great teacher gifts. Kellogg’s even ships them for free!
My family knows that I am frugal, but even so, they always think I spend more on Christmas than I do, because of all of the nice things I give (that I got on clearance throughout the year or from a coupon deal). I enjoy giving presents, not making a large dent on my monthly budget, getting people things they need, and wrapping their presents in 75-90% off wrapping paper. Holidays are about spending time with family and celebrating what you have, but if you also partake in gift giving, you can use these tips to give without blowing your budget.
I’d like to know more about the free Kellogg’s books!
Go to Kelloggs Family Rewards, sign up and on their website will show you where you can redeem for free books. I think it’s at Walmart. I use Kelloggs for a number of things.
Kellogg’s has specially marked boxes that state 1 box= 1 book. These start showing up around back to school time on cereal, granola bars, and other Kellogg’s products. You then redeem the codes online just as Susan said.
I have one 20% code for American Girl and i wont be using it. $5 PP or ebay gift card and this code will be yours. Email me at kpopisgood@yahoo.com if you’re interested
My plan for black
Friday is to go “free shopping”… I turned in all the points on my credit cards for gift cards… Cashed out on my Receipt Hog app for cash to my paypal account… Gathered up all the coupons I got for free stuff for my birthday since my birthday is this month, and gathered up items to sell on Facebook… Yes u can have a great Christmas if u really plan😊
I’m excited because this year, I got my mom and sister (and me) flights to New Orleans for a weekend in February. I opened a Southwest Visa account earlier this year and with the points I only had to pay taxes (less than $35!) on the flights. Looking forward to a girls’ weekend in a few months!!
Have so much fun in NOLA! Go to the ruby slipper cafe for breakfast or Willa Jeans! Must go to cafe du monde. Go shopping on magazine st. and get the bus/trolley pass to get around different areas of the city (unless you are people phobic). I grew up in that area and miss it so much!
This post is hilarious! Love the list of who to buy presents for and the craft meme 🙂 Also I am excited to implement many of these this year as my husband is back in school and I am a full time caretaker for our autistic son (wish it came with a full time salary haha!) So we won’t have an extravagant Christmas this year but thanks to this site we will be able to stretch our dollars farther!
So happy to be helpful, and I’m glad you get my humor, haha! 😉
This is sort of related, having to do with freebies… I took my daughter to a free introductory class at The Little Gym in our town, which was tons of fun-for a whole hour – and then they emailed me a code from Shutterfly for $25 plus free shipping. So win win win. I definitely recommend this company if you have one nearby.
Nice! Thank you!
One of my favorite homemade gifts to give is a cookie mix in a pot holder (the kind with a pocket) or an oven mit with a utensil or cookie cutter, sprinkles…etc and a recipe card with the preparation instructions. I measure out and mix all the dry ingredients for a batch of cookies (chocolate chip, oatmeal scotchie, snickerdoodle, sugar cookie …etc.) into a ziplock bag. I push all the air out of the bag as I am sealing it, then fold and tape down the corners to enable it to fit into the oven mit/pot holder. I use raffia or ribbon to attach the recipe card, utensil, cookie cutter, or sprinkles. They’ve been very well recieved. I used to layer the ingredients in a mason jar until I ran out. I’ve also given the mixes in gift bags, holiday cookie jars and tins – all purchased from the previous years Christmas clearance of course!
Great idea! Love it!
I also received an American Girl code I won’t be using (20% off $100 purchase). I will email it to the first person to reply directly to this post with their email. No trade necessary–I will not use it and would like to give it to someone who will enjoy it 🙂
I would love the code! Lovelylindsy@gmail.com
Just sent to you Lindsy–let me know if you don’t receive it!
Catie – pls email to Laura.chapman82@yahoo.com
Thanks!
I also have a 20% off $100 American Girl. Leave email if you’d like it.
Thanks for the email, I appreciate it!
I have to say I wasn’t convinced u could give used things for Christmas until last year! My friends MIL found a train track at a yard sale for like $20 she repainted added her grandsons name on it and added a few Thomas trains to make her 2 year old grandsons Christmas!! I’ve seen it and I’m telling u it’s so much better than if she would have went out and bought a new one plus the mom doesn’t have to stress out about a $200 toy being messed up by their 2 year old! 😄
Love that idea!
I agree with Danielle. With coupons that I have gotten I have been able to pick up 6 camis and 4 candles completely free in the last 6 weeks. For less than 2.00 each I have been able to pick up sterling silver earrings, sleep pants and make up brush sets also in the last 6 weeks.
Recyclebank has magazine subscriptions you buy with points you earn on their site. You can then print a magazine gift template from amazon that tells the recipient what they will receive.
For my nephew and his wife, I saved up my Hallmark certificates, so they are getting a plaque I got for free. I bought J C Penney gift cards via Kelloggs Family Rewards, so that takes care of my 2 nephews and 2 nieces. That is really saving me money. I also do E rewards where I buy Macy’s gift cards, Amazon and for my mother Red Lobster gift cards. She is getting dinner this weekend. Savings Star is another way for me to save. I am also doing Shutterfly, for gifts. I have been getting enough credits for free things, that are becoming Christmas gifts. I also have been going to Macy’s through the year and picking up presents on clearance. So I can spend some on myself.By spreading out through the year, I don’t feel like I am going into debt for Christmas. And by waiting for toys to go on sale and clearance I also give to Toys for Tots. And since my husband and I give baskets and trays to our neighbors for Christmas, I have been picking those up at Goodwill on their 50% sales. I make up baked goods and I picked blackberries from the plants in our yard. So my neighbors are getting homemade jam this year also.
I have an American Girl 20% off $100 or more (exp 11/22) to trade for a Target gift card! Email me at jasonptfamily at gmail
I don’t have target but I have shutterfly…. do you want that?
Great ideas, thank-you!
You’re welcome!
Been watching deals all year!! Scored half off on Lego sets at Kroger and stocked up! Used my shopyourway winnings to earn free $$ for gift items. Our local store closed so I watch for free shipping deals or use the hometown store about 1/2 hour away. Use Kohls, JCP, CVS and target coupons to score low price items I know will get used. Mypoints and swagbucks are also an awesome way to make $$
Also I have noticed a decrease in shopping when I done up on staple items at the grocery store. Coupons stink anymore so I just stick to my list and sale items. I bring my binder but I don’t use much!
I know this isn’t something everyone can do but if you are credit card debt free and financially stable, this is a great way to save money. We charge everything (we would normally spend money on anyway) to our Discover card, such as our utility bills, gas and groceries. We pay it off in full every month via autopay from our bank account (so I don’t have to worry about forgetting pay and getting stuck with a late fee). By the end of the year, we have hundreds of dollars in Cash Back, all on things we were going to buy anyway. Then I can trade in for higher value gift cards. $40 or $45 Cash back might buy me a $50 gift card. And they have TONS of gift cards to choose from. You can also pay for your purchases on Amazon with your Cash Back money. It’s saved me tons of money over the years and takes virtually no effort on my part.
I love my Discover Card rewards, too! Great idea!
That is exactly what I do. We just pay it off every month and then use the cashback rewards to buy Christmas. I know when they run out, shopping is done! 🙂
Hi, I have a Shutterfly code for free easel calendar or 8×11 wall calendar, expiring today 11/16. And code for $20 off, exp. 1/31/17. If anyone would like to trade for unwanted Kohl’s cash or JCP, please leave your email and I will get back to you. Thank you!
I also have this 40% off everything Shutterfly code that expires 11/16: DA66-CY1B-ZF6G-H5TK84
It says it can be combined with $-off promos.
Excuse me some of us really like our quesdilla makers 😉 😉 haha. Great ideas,though, thank you!
Also, throw some thin sliced steak or Steakums in between shells with cheese, peppers and onions…put it in the quesdilla maker and you’ve got yourself a man-pleasing super easy dinner. You’re welcome!
Haha! You win, that sounds AMAZING!
anyone have an american girl code they are not using? I could trade for a $5 amazon gc. email mce1934 gmail
Email sent
This is my same problem! I was contemplating of NOT gifting for xmas due to financial reasons and my minimalist ways. But I thought with my frugal/bargain shopper brain, I could find something nice yet cheap to express my gratitude to the folks in my life.
So I brainstormed practical ideas (ie: hand soap, things for the kitchen, etc). From there, I walked around Walmart with that list. I found cute kitchen items to pair together for less than $4 per person. It was such a nice presentation, my mom copied me! Now I have to find a different gift for her.
I really enjoyed this post and hope to see more of this type. I would like to see people stop trying to “Keep up with the Joneses”. Let’s all Forget the Joneses and be more frugal in all aspects. I like seeing the deals posted but I really would like to see more frugal posts included on the FB forum showing how to truly save.
As for what to buy all those kids for Christmas how about first asking if they even remember what they got last year. I did that one year – went around the neighborhood and asked the kids questions. None could remember the gifts from the year before. Not even the girl who got a new computer. When asked what they did with their parents that made the season special you should have seen the faces of every one of them light up with joy at helping bake cookies for the troops, driving around town and looking at all the lights, making homemade fudges as gifts, Selecting a tag off the tree at the mall and fulfilling a child or elderly person’s wish, etc.,. It was the TIME spent with their family – those traditions that they remembered and treasured. Not the gifts they got but what they did and gave.
Thank you for the ideas, but they really require some money and not zero. I am the mom to a wonderful daughter. We raised her to be the “spirit of Christmas”. Always adopting several children or a family of them for Christmas, sending shoeboxes overseas, helping with food baskets in our church etc. This year has been so hard for us. I e had seven surgeries – a major heart one last Thursday. And we have her here at The Mayo Clinic now trying to figure out a treatment plan for some rare illnesses that have hit her hard. We have NO money for Christmas, barely money for food or gas and I don’t have the heart to tell her. It will shatter her soul I’m afraid. She is just now coping with her father’s unexpected death from 7 years ago. Life has not given us a break lately and I have no optimism left. How do I tell her there will be no Christmas? How do I break the spirit I spent 19 years cultivating? Depression has a entirely new meaning this year.
Please don’t give up on the miracle of the season. One can tell by your story that you’ve had a tough year. Please ask to speak with a social worker at Mayo Clinic and/or a member of their clergy. They should know of resources in your community to help you with food, possible bus passes, and maybe donated gifts. Also, please speak to a medical professional about your depression. They can help you. I wish you health and happiness this holiday season.
I do take advantage of all the reward programs. Thanks for the ideas.
Great post!! Im trying to do christmas cheap this year. I win alot of sweepstakes throughout the year. Nothing crazy… It can be something as small as a t-shirt or a $10 giftcard but I put all that stuff in my gift closet and save for christmas. We really stacked up this year!
Love this post. I’ve been thinking of making beauty gift baskets using items from my stockpile for my neices and sisters.
Thank you for your savvy tips
#10 literally made me LOL. Don’t know how many times I’ve said that to my SIL!!
OT- if anyone’s got either of the following to trade, please email me at nbp0320 @yahoo: 10% Best Buy Coupons (usually emailed), $40 off $100+ Under Armour Coupons and/or 20% off 100+ American Girl Coupons. Have tons of Shutterfly Codes, Coke Caps!or could trade Amazon or PayPal. LMK!! Thanks a bunch!! 🙂
I actually did some Christmas shopping today and spent no money out of my pocket, I just received a rebate from Samsung after we bought new appliances for our house a few months ago and used it along with multiple coupons, I had a $50 off $125 Joann coupon(from their coupon calendar available at end of year) also redeemed 2 $20 giftcards to Joann from ibotta to use with it. The balance was paid from Samsung rebate, went to bealls outlet and used a $10/50 coupon along with rebate money, I found a Lularoe Sarah there for $9!! Snagged alot of Christmas gifts too, even got lunch at chic-fil-a, free 3 piece chicken strips with the calendar card
Oh and I received a $5 coupon at bealls at register, then my mother in law gave me a $10/10 Kohls coupon on my way home lol
The Black Friday sales link goes to last years’ sales, just fyi.
If anyone has an eddie bauer $10 coupon I cold really use one. I usually have one by now but have not seen any
this is awesome!!! my goal to spend 100 dollars on all christmas gifts for like 50 ppl😳. i get very creative and love to get stuff at cvs for free once i get the rewards bucks. coupon things for free. regift things to ppl i know they will love. i love it. it’s a hobbie and a challenge
I’ve already made my freezer jam with blackberries I picked at the edge of our property. It especially helped getting the pectin for free from Target with coupons. I also do surveys with e rewards and I buy Macy’s gift cards to use for gifts. I make money from the surveys and buying Macy’s cards is a treat for me. Nothing out of pocket and using Kelloggs Family Rewards for JC Penney gift cards makes Christmas very painless. I could not do Christmas otherwise. I may be the boring Aunt who only buys clothes,but since it’s costing me next to nothing, that’s the way it is.
I am hoping Target sells the holiday giftcards with the holiday PEZ attached. I needed a bunch for a group of neighborhood kids so I bought a bunch of $5 giftcards that came with free shipping and kept the giftcards and wrapped the Pez candies for the kids. They all loved them
This year, I am making old fashioned candy for my neighbor gifts. Going to put it in a ball jar and decorate it with a ribbon and printable gift tag.
Another thing that’s not quite free but makes a great gift are shutterfly items. They often have coupon codes for free or discounted items plis shipping.