Christmas planning and saving ideas?

[miztia]

I am a HUGE Kijiji fan, so this is a great reminder. As for the photo stuff, it's something I was going to do for my sister as well, so thanks for the ideas!

I love this group! You are all so creative!

I post stuff on Kijiiji for my older neighbors who dont have internet. All I do is post with their info, and they look after the rest. I usually get $10-20 when it sells. So far ive made almost $200. I would do it for nothing because they are my neighbors, but they insist on giving something for my troubles. I love pulling into the driveway after work to see my neighbor waiting for me with a big grin and $20 bill.Its a great way to make a bit of extra xmas money!!

[thecountess]

24 Days to Christmas bump

[julie.leeds]

An Idea to start for next year....

Get a reloadable gift card from where ever you shop most around Christmas time. (like Wal-mart or a grocery store) and put $2-$5 on it each week or bi weekly what ever you can afford, then come Christmas time you will have a small chunk to take the sting out of Christmas.

If you have amazing will power just put a toonie in a jar every week instead of grabbing a Timmies and watch it add up. I can't do this because I inevitably "raid" the jar to buy Timmies *lol*

$100 goes a long way to getting some of the little extras around the holidays, My hubby and are try to do this and then we just have a big splurge and get chocolates and "delicacies" and other EXTRA stuff that its hard to justify buying all at once.

Too late for this year, but something to think about for next year!

[aussie]

An Idea to start for next year....

Get a reloadable gift card from where ever you shop most around Christmas time. (like Wal-mart or a grocery store) and put $2-$5 on it each week or bi weekly what ever you can afford, then come Christmas time you will have a small chunk to take the sting out of Christmas.

If you have amazing will power just put a toonie in a jar every week instead of grabbing a Timmies and watch it add up. I can't do this because I inevitably "raid" the jar to buy Timmies *lol*

$100 goes a long way to getting some of the little extras around the holidays, My hubby and are try to do this and then we just have a big splurge and get chocolates and "delicacies" and other EXTRA stuff that its hard to justify buying all at once.

Too late for this year, but something to think about for next year!

Thats a great idea!!!!! I suggested that to a friend when she found out she was pregnant.... good way to save money for groceries when on maternity leave... or diapers! Im gonna do it when Im pregnant! sorry I know thats got nothing to do with christmas lol.

[julie.leeds]

I got the idea from my parents who are from the UK, They used to have Christmas clubs where a group of people would but in $X.xx every week and it all went into a bank account that earned interest all year and by Christmas they had extra money for Christmas plus interest. Or sometimes the "interest" was raffled off between the group members.

[Nice Sass]

This Christmas has been tight for us, but I used many of the points that I had been saving (in some cases for years):

- 460,000 HBC Points = $50 e-certificate at Chapters/Indigo online (used to purchase a DVD for someone)
- 40,000 Petro Points = $25 GC to Restaurant chain
- 25,000 PC Points = $25 GC to Restaurant chain
- 25,000 PC Points = $25 Home Depot GC and used that to buy a gift there
- 320,000 HBC points = $40 GC to HBC stores
- 240,000 HBC points = $30 GC used to buy a gift at The Bay
- 40,000 SDM points = $100 of cosmetic products as gifts
- 50,000 PC points = $50 GC to PC

This minimized the financial hit to us. I've already started the weekly GC savings idea for next year though, and realize that it will be wise to do my spending where I can capitalize on points that I'll use. I love that I can use PC points to purchase GCs; wish SDM would do this; I could have redeemed for another $200 last weekend, but they didn't have anything that my Christmas gift recipients wanted - a GC would have been perfect. Also wish PC would have more bonus offers, like SDM!

[christmas presents]

It's getting close to that time of year, and I am hoping to get a head start (ie: before December!) on my shopping and planning, and hopefully save some money. I know lots of you started... well, last January? lol ... but here's what I am looking for.

I am looking for ideas:
- freebies
- great deals

Maybe a forum for Christmas ideas/sales?

Not sure, hoping you all could brainstorm with me, as money is tight this year for many people, myself included.

Anyone want to share some ideas? Thoughts? (Boo, maybe we could have a christmas savings forum or something?)

I started looking at http://christmas.organizedhome.com/get-organized/simplify-your-holidays-christmas-planner-notebook and Gifts in a Jar, but I am hoping for some new ideas.....


Thanks!

Hi....Follow my link in signature, you will find so many ideas divided by gender categories. Hope it will help you.

Thanks

[thecountess]

[coupon girl]

try to buy free coupon items (smellies) or things on sale thru out the year , when items are 1.00 - 4.00 stock them in a tote til Xmas.also buy paper at the end of the yearand bags.

[thecountess]

try to buy free coupon items (smellies) or things on sale thru out the year , when items are 1.00 - 4.00 stock them in a tote til Xmas.also buy paper at the end of the yearand bags.

Yep I am making several smellies gift baskets this year because I got a huge crapload of Glade.... many were free and others were only .99 (because of sales and coupons including FPCs)

[Nice Sass]

An idea - I did this for my mother a few years ago because she is perpetually unorganized and wanted help: I bought a giant three-ring binder for her (the good quality heavy-duty kind); a 50 pack of clear sheet protectors (the kind that open only at the top); and an 8-pack of tabbed dividers. I labelled each of the dividers as "Major Appliances", "Small Appliances", "Electronics", "Furniture", "Miscellaneous", etc. I gave this to her so that she could organize all of her manuals for items, as well as place the receipts with them. She thought that this was the best gift ever, and the biggest expense was the binder (cheaper at Walmart than Staples).

The next year I made a similar thing for birthday cards: 12 clear pocket protectors; one for each month; month tabs; and a 1/2" binder. On each tab I listed that months' family birthdays and anniversaries, with space for more.

It's along the home-made lines I guess, with help from office supply stores. Perfect for that someone on your list who will make their New Year's goal one of being organized!

[lekate]

An idea - I did this for my mother a few years ago because she is perpetually unorganized and wanted help: I bought a giant three-ring binder for her (the good quality heavy-duty kind); a 50 pack of clear sheet protectors (the kind that open only at the top); and an 8-pack of tabbed dividers. I labelled each of the dividers as "Major Appliances", "Small Appliances", "Electronics", "Furniture", "Miscellaneous", etc. I gave this to her so that she could organize all of her manuals for items, as well as place the receipts with them. She thought that this was the best gift ever, and the biggest expense was the binder (cheaper at Walmart than Staples).

That's a really good idea! thanks!

My idea, don't buy something for someone if you feel forced by expectations to buy them something, a nice card and baked goodies shoud be sufficient.

[thecountess]

Came across these links and thought I would share

7 Homemade Christmas Gifts That Don't Suck

http://www.soundmoneymatters.com/hom...ristmas-gifts/

Inexpensive gift ideas for giving from the heart - and the pantry

http://ca.lifestyle.yahoo.com/holida...d-the-pantry/1

Do-it-yourself holiday gifts cost less, mean more; projects to try for holidays

http://ca.lifestyle.yahoo.com/holida...for-holidays/1

Save Money This Holiday Season

http://ca.lifestyle.yahoo.com/holida...liday-season/1

[jennyruther]

In the months before Christmas, many retailers will start to cut costs and many will have special offers. Many of the best deals are often offered by web stores. Using online voucher and discount code sites is also a useful thing to do right now. Getting percentage discounts, 3 for 2 offers and money off deals, for example, can make a real difference to the price of any product.

[davidmiclon]

Hi....Follow my link in signature, you will find so many ideas divided by gender categories. Hope it will help you.

Thanks

Thanks for your advice,,,,