32% of Americans would give up alcohol for a year in order to bag a great deal on their Christmas shopping, according to a survey from OnePoll. Meanwhile, a further 29% say they’d ditch chocolate if it meant they saved cash on Christmas gifts. If you’re a U.S. shopper keen to forgo the finer things in life to snap up a bargain this festive shopping season, then these tips will help you on your way.
Wait for the sales
November is certainly the time to start your Christmas shopping as Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday all kick-off. According to The Balance, all 3 days see in-store discounts averaging 37% across all items. If you’re an online shopper, then Thanksgiving is the best day to get on the net as discounts average 24%. However, to ensure you’re not lured in by cut-price electronics or reduced clothing, make a list of all the gifts you need to buy and stick to it when shopping.
Pay wisely
The average American will spend $1,047.83 Christmas shopping this year. This is a 4% year-on-year increase, but if you shop and pay smartly there’s no need to splash out so much. Paying with a card rather than cash when you hit the shops can earn you significant reward points such as cashback and flyer miles which you can utilize at a later date. Meanwhile, contactless payments completed via your smartphone or credit card speed up the transaction process, so you’re less likely to pick up extras at the till, such as food and knick-knacks.
Make your own gifts
More than 14% of people say that they sell their possessions to raise funds for Christmas, and 22% say Christmas will leave them in debt. It’s, therefore, wise to avoid buying costly gifts and make your own instead. Cookies, sweets, jams, jewelry, and cards are all simple enough to make and can be expertly presented in tissue paper, gift boxes, and bags. Avoid paying top end for ingredients and packaging by bulk buying from online retailers, such as Amazon and eBay, as well as wholesalers and you’ll save a small fortune this Christmas.
There’s no denying that Christmas is an expensive time of year, but there’s no need to let this get you down. By doing things such as waiting for Black Friday and getting creative in the kitchen, you’ll get more for your money, and it could even transform the way you shop for Christmas for good.
