Saving Savy on Gifts

Gift can make a big hole in your budget, especially if you are me.  I love to give gifts and if I had a million $$$, I would probably blow it on other people.  This is just part of how I am.

There are always birthday gifts to give, gifts for unique holidays, secret sister gifts, Christmas gifts, "cheer-you-up" gifts, appreciation gifts, and if you are like me, there is always an occasion to just brighten someone's day with a gift...and the list goes on.

So what do we do???

1. Stock up
1. Clearance!!! Check sales.  If there is a cute gift for 50-75% off, get it and save it.
2. Buy multiples, if it's cute enough and cheap enough
3. Buy ahead: Find cute cards and nonperishable gifts at the end of each holiday for the next year
4. Most of the time you won't buy for individuals, you will buy for a gender. ("This would be a nice present for a guy, OR This would be nice for a young lady") Then when you have that "occasion" you can go to your "store" and shop for the item that fits your person.
5. Exception to #4, there will be times that you have someone that likes a certain something; when you find a deal on it,  buy it and save it for the next occasion that involves them.

When you have to buy last-minute gifts, you usually blow WAY to much money.

1. Organize
1. Have a special place that you keep all your gifts. Keep it organized and easy to get to. That way when you have a gift-giving occasion, you can go "shopping" in your gift closet.
2. You can even have a list of birthdays and special occasion hung near by so that everything is close together

1. Be Crafty

1. From my family, I personally enjoy personal gifts. I feel that it is easy for them to go to the store and buy ______ but a homemade gift just takes a little bit more TLC.
2. Discover what are the true likes and dislikes of a particular person. Then work to create something that would fit them.  That means you have to take the time to get to know that person. Ask questions and then develop. It's not an overnight thing; it's a forever thing.

I hope this gave you some ideas. Think ahead and your gifts will be more exciting, less expensive and ready at the drop of a hat. - rejoicing in the present