How to Save Money Buying Christmas Gifts

Christmas, for many people, means breaking the bank and going into debt for months to come in the quest to buy everyone on their list the perfect gift. It needn't be so! Check out these ways to stretch your dollar Christmas shopping.

Peruse the sales flyers. Whether or not you have a specific item in mind, scanning the daily and weekly sales ads will alert you to great deals at your local stores. Compare prices for the same item at several different stores and find the best deal. Pricing changes quickly, so make sure to take the time to shop while your item is still being advertised at the lower price. Once inside the store, don't get caught up in the shopping moment and start grabbing items willy nilly. Many times the best deals are offered as "loss leaders" in the hopes you will continue shopping and pay full price for other items.

Clip coupons. Many major department stores offer an additional percentage off coupon in their sale flyers. Combining this with a reduced price item really pays off. I was able to shop at Macy's, usually one of the higher priced merchants, using a coupon worth 15 - 30% off in combination with their after Thanksgiving sale to find some great bargains. I didn't pay more than $20 for any gift! If there is a particular store you favor, be sure to sign up at their website to receive any special deals. Oftentimes you will receive a coupon or special offer before it is offered to the general public.

Shop the Internet. Even if you find an item at a similar price in a store, it pays to order it on the Internet as many times the website does not charge tax or offers free shipping. This will save you both time and money! Sometimes will be worthwhile to place one large order which may offer you the maximum discount. Many times, however, it is better to make one purchase as the online vendor may offer a discount on a future purchase to returning customers. I did this with Sharper Image. After placing my first order and signing up for their Email specials, I was immediately offered a 10% discount on my next order so I went back and finished shopping with an additional 10% off.

Attend yard sales. While some people may look askance at this form of shopping, there are many unique items you can find for Christmas gifts by buying what others no longer need or want at a fraction of the original price. It is quite easy to find items still in their original packaging, never opened. Even used items can be given with piece of mind if you take the time to clean and fix them up as new. For instance, a rocking chair can use a new coat of paint and the application of nursery-appropriate decals as a lovely gift for an expectant mom for mere dollars. Take a set of wine glasses and inexpensively frost or decorate them with easy kits from your local crafts store, wrap them in pretty gold tissue paper and present in a basket with a bottle of wine. If your gift recipient is an antiques lover, great finds at dirt cheap prices abound at yard sales. It is also easy to find pieces that complete a gift recipient's collection, whatever it may be.

Shop at the grocery store. Odd is this may sound, I have been able to find lots of great items while doing my usual grocery shopping. It is particularly easy to make a gift basket, whether you want to fill it with gourmet coffee and flavored dry creamers, a pasta-making kit with sauces and various noodles, a bottle of wine with crackers and vacuum-packed cheese and sausage or a relaxation collection with bubble bath, scented soap, candle, etc. Stick an appropriate magazine or book or even a gift card to a restaurant in with each collection for a special touch. All of these items are readily available at your local grocery store. If you have a coupon for any of the items, all the better! Stocking stuffers abound at the grocery store, also. Candy, jerky, candles, specialty cleaning products, batteries, toothbrush - all are perfect to add to a Christmas stocking.

Be flexible - you may not be able to afford an I Pod for your special someone but there are cheaper versions out there with expandable memory. Remember to set a budget that will include all the recipients on your gift list and stick to it! There is no need to amass huge debt simply because you want to impress your friends and family. More than likely, your gift will not be the only one they receive, so let others fill the gap! Happy shopping!