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If you’re anything like me, figuring out what to get people you care about for the holidays or their birthday isn’t the easiest of endeavors. How do I give a gift that is the perfect amount of “I care about you” but doesn’t exude “I’m on a budget here?” Most people can’t figure out how to navigate that fine line and instead end up wildly overspending and put themselves in a financial hole. It doesn’t have to be that way, of course. There are many things we can do to give the perfect gifts to those we care about while staying true to our financial goals and realities. Today, we will be looking at simple approaches to gift giving without overspending.
Start Early!
Believe it or not, those “great” sales during the holidays aren’t usually all that great. One of the best things that my mother taught me was to always listen to what people say throughout the year and keep notes about things they mention wanting or needing. This way, you can always get a head start on holiday and/or birthday shopping and snag the best deals early in the year. Usually, January through August (when back to school shopping begins) is a great time to score phenomenal deals on a wide variety of goods. We are often tempted to see a marked down price during the holiday season and think we are getting an out of this world deal, but it’s usually just a retail tactic to increase our spending. Those illusions typically go away after the holidays and you can grab gifts and stash them for an even better price.
Buy Out of Season
This goes right along with starting early but buying gifts out of season is a great way to grab the best possible deals. There’s definitely items that are best to buy when out of season, including clothing, televisions, and dishware. If you know of a few couples in your life who are going to be tying the knot in the next year, look to score some awesome deals in October and November, when wedding season has mostly ended, and traditionally given wedding gifts are to be had for a bargain.
Make it Personal
A great way to show you care and stay within your budget is to grab personalized gifts. They will take some additional time to be made but the receiver will bestow a present that says you took the time to think about them and that you cared enough to go out of your way to have something designed uniquely for them. These types of gifts do not need to be expensive and can be as simple as a coffee mug, keychain, or pendant. With so many great options available, you should have no problem finding something for everyone on your list regardless of occasion.
It doesn’t need to be difficult and stressful to find a gift that shows you care. The worst part about the holidays for many people is that they do find it difficult and stressful, and on top of all that, wildly expensive. By starting early, seeking the best deals, and looking to personalize your gift giving, you will take all the negatives out of the process and be well on your way to earning a reputation as the best gift giver around.