Aly and Molly's Christmas Blog Challenge - Day 4

Aly and Molly's Christmas Blog Challenge :)
Day 1: Christmas/Holiday traditionsDay 2: Black Friday/General Shopping Tips & TricksDay 3: Most meaningful gift/best gift you've receivedDay 4: Tips/Tricks to a Budget Friendly holiday seasonDay 5: Favorite Holiday Movie/TV Show SpecialDay 6: Gift ideas (what do YOU want? We all have family/friends reading our blogs...so let them know!)Day 7: Holiday Craft/DIY (If you don't make anything, what do you WISH you could make?)Day 8: Least favorite thing about the HolidaysDay 9: Favorite Holiday recipeDay 10: Favorite Christmas Songs/CarolesDay 11: New Year ResolutionsDay 12: Show us your decorations (indoor/outside)Day 13: Favorite Cookie RecipeDay 14: Oprah's Favorite Things: What item(s) would you want if you were in the audience
#4 Tips for a budget friendly holiday season

I just have three today - crazy I know, normally I can't shut up! :)

1. Decide who you are buying for. 

-Whether it be by drawing names in your family, deciding to buy presents for the kids, or by giving the gift of your time/helping hand to a friend or family member, if this is what you choose to do, make the decision and do it. All to often we get wrapped up in what this season is NOT about. It's not all about gifts and material things, and getting mad at the store clerk when their last Wii is sold out, and being greedy or Grinch-like. It's about giving, self-less love, and being with the ones that mean the most to you, even if that means you can only buy a gift for one person each.

2. Shop around

-If you do decide you have the financial means to buy gifts for everyone on your list this year, just make sure you shop around, or you will be sorry. For example, we have been comparing prices for a gift Bryan's sister wants, and the one that we originally wanted to get her is a little out of our price range, but we just scoured the black Friday ads and found one just as nice for something inside our price range. Again, it takes a little extra time and making a plan, but if you are serious about budgeting, it's worth it :)

3. Forgo presents with your spouse

-Some of you may say, "No way" - and that is completely fine and acceptable. However, in the past years Bryan and I have been tight on money around the holidays, so we've always decided to to forgo gifts for each other and focus on getting gifts for our family members instead. This year though I told him  we are getting each other gifts, even if it's something little, because I feel like this is a Christmas to remember - being our first as a married couple and all. :)

[One of my FAVORITE Christmas songs :)]


PS - Hope you all had a FABULOUS Thanksgiving! Can't wait to hear all your stories and see photos! I will be doing my Turkey Day wrap up later! :)


PSS - my blog turns 50 today :)