This Christmas many parents are looking for the perfect gift to get their children.
They also have to do it on a budget and still have enough left over for other holiday shopping musts.
This can be challenging especially for families on reduced income.
So how do you go about getting ready for the holidays when the money just doesn't seem available? Here are some economical suggestions and tips to help you get ready for the holiday and still make it special.
Plan and Save.
The sad fact is that many people and families don't really quite know what a real budget or saving plan looks like.
It normally is here are X amount of bills and here is X amount of money.
How can you juggle the money to pay the more important bills? A real budget will give you a strategy to meet your daily expenses and still put aside a little bit for later.
So the first thing to do is go over what you need to pay, what can be delayed until later, or even better paid in smaller pieces.
This will give you a realistic view of what you can do.
Then look at what you have paid in past Christmases.
Looking at bank statements or credit card bills will help you with that.
Line up what you expect to spend with what you earn and make the hard decisions.
It might mean cutting back on some luxury in everyday expenses or replacing a holiday tradition with a cheaper alternative.
The point is reconcile and then start a savings plan.
If you need extra cash try to find small things you can do now in the fall to earn that extra saved income and keep it saved.
Look for savings in your holiday.
There are often things that you pay for during the holiday that you don't really need to pay for or you can replace with a cheaper alternative.
For example it may mean using cheaper tree ornaments or making some holiday treats yourself.
If you can find reasonable and doable alternatives you can help maintain the integrity of your Christmas and not lose a thing.
Shop smarter when looking for toys.
There are countless ways to save money buying presents for your kids.
Hopefully the cash you have saved will be some help.
First, look in store publications and News for information on sales and price cuts on popular toys.
Second, try to maximize the purchases for each child by setting a max amount.
A great idea for younger kids is that Santa is giving kids the choice this year to get one extra special present or pick two or three smaller gifts.
Try to explain it in a way your children can understand.
Finally use non credit payment programs like layaway for toys you know your kids just "have" to have.
Try to get things the whole family can enjoy.
To offset the extra toy, look for items that your entire family can enjoy.
This can be a game, TV, or a computer.
The criteria is that everyone will benefit.
One great idea that all your younger children can enjoy for an affordable price is personalized letters from Santa.
These are customized Santa letters with info about your children and their wish list.
This is great because your kids have their faith in Santa affirmed and you can deny that you were the one that got the gifts this year.