Holiday Shopping Survival Guide

What is known to be the “most wonderful time of year” can also be the most stressful especially when it comes to holiday gift shopping. Each year, the average person spends over $800 on gifts, decorations, and food during the holidays. As a broke college student who loves gift-giving, the holidays can be a challenging time to find great gifts for a low price. Whether you’re just getting started, or finishing up checking everyone off your list, take into account these helpful tips: 

1.Set a budget that works for you

The holiday season can impact your yearly budget, but it doesn't have to be a financial burden.  Establishing a specific budget for each person can help prevent unnecessary expenses. Determining the total amount of money you can afford to spend will prevent you from experiencing future financial challenges.

2.Make a list 

After you’ve determined a budget, it’s time to start searching and brainstorming gift ideas. Create a list using Excel, the notes app on your phone, or good old-fashioned paper to organize the different gifts you intend to buy. This guarantees that you won’t forget someone at the last minute and allows you to keep track of the gifts and people you’ve already bought for. 

3.Compare prices across different retailers 

To ensure you are getting the best bang for your buck, it’s important to compare prices across stores. This can help you get the best deals on the same product or similar products for cheaper. Take advantage of special promotions and ask about student discounts to avoid overpaying. 

4.Start your shopping early

Waiting until the last minute to start your holiday shopping can leave you feeling overwhelmed and result in overspending. Buying gifts weekly is more manageable than trying to buy everything during the final week or days before the holidays. Shopping early isn’t only budget-friendly but it also gives more selection than leftover gifts others didn’t choose to buy.

5.Make homemade gifts

Not all gifts have to be bought. Homemade gifts are the perfect cost-effective and thoughtful alternative. Creating homemade gifts allows for personalization, and are simple yet still meaningful. My favorite gift to make is a homemade tie blanket! 

It’s important to remember that the true meaning of the holidays isn’t about the extravagant spending but the time spent with family and friends. Following these holiday shopping survival tips allows us to focus more on the happiness the holidays bring rather than the money they take out.