- November 25, 2011
- 99 Comments
- Sponsored
Shopping Smart, Holiday Shopping Challenge, and a $250 GIVEAWAY
“In this economy” are all-too-familiar words these days.
No doubt that “in this economy” each of us have discovered ways to deal with a tighter budget and the fact that Christmas comes at the same time every year…
How do you manage your holiday purchases? Do you have a strategy that has helped you manage your gift buying and general holiday spending? For my family, I have done a few simple things to help us be prepared for financial impact the holidays bring.
- I stash away money in a “Christmas” envelope throughout the year and try not to steal from it.
- I make lists.
- We set a dollar amount for gifts.
- And I keep my eye out for holiday sales and deals.
I don’t go crazy with planning, nor do I obsess about coupons and deals… I don’t go all “Black Friday” either. For us they real key is to have a plan. It’s confounding… those times I do not set a budget or create a plan. I feel like I’ve spent and spent and spent yet feel like I have little to show for it. Wasteful.
One way to NOT feel wasteful with holiday spending is using that plan to support local business…
Have you heard of Small Business Saturday? Small Business Saturday is THIS Saturday, November 26th. American Express supports small business… and they are working hard to encourage holiday spenders to support local small business. Visit their Facebook page to find out more and learn about incentives to help the consumer support small business – here.
Do you shop local? Do you support small business?
I live in a wonderful small community. Our downtown area is filled with locally owned bakeries, coffee shops and retail stores… wonderful book store, a charming children’s shop, clothing shops, housewares… a darling kitchen shop. On Saturday, I plan to grab some books for the kids at Liberty Bay Books. I also plan to mosey through a few of the other shops and find something sweet to put under the tree for my mom and mother-in-law. I can always find a gift in a pinch in downtown Poulsbo… and I love support local business!
Just keep me out of Indigo Plum. I could easy spend the Christmas budget on sweetness for my own self. Must. Focus…
Another smart way to shop is to utilize membership programs like the American Express Rewards Program… programs where the shopper can redeem points earned from spending… points that can be used to purchase items, gift cards, even airline tickets.
I have been spending some time looking through the American Express Rewards program and good golly I had no idea! From jewelry to gift cards retailers like Old Navy to eleectronics (DSi!!!). There are literally thousands of redemption options with American Express. American Express reward points do not expire. Redeeming points are a great way to check things off the list without having to dip into that money in the Christmas envelope!
Speaking of not having to dip into the Christmas envelope…
I am excited to offer you, thanks to American Express, the opportunity to win a $250 gift card of your choice! To enter, simply leave a comment sharing your favorite tip for how you stay in your holiday budget. Contest runs November 25 to midnight December 2, 2011 (PST)… You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
- Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post.
- Tweet about this promotion (ex: Win a $250 gift card from American Express in @jennyonthespot’s Holiday Shopping Challenge! http://bit.ly/u77OVc ) You must leave the URL of your tweet in a comment on this post.
- Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post.
- Open to US residents only.
- Winner chosen via random.org
*Disclosure: This post is sponsored by American Express. I have been given a gift card with which to buy gifts. As always, opinion is my own.
photo via Cut Them Coupons
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99 Responses to “Shopping Smart, Holiday Shopping Challenge, and a $250 GIVEAWAY”
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I got a Disney Rewards debit card that I accumulated points on thru out the year. So the kids are getting Disney stuff this year.
I made the gifts I’m giving others – gift baskets full of home-canned goodies (baskets from Goodwill).
Most of what I’m giving the family is from Goodwill, too. Since we’re all adults, I bought needed clothes for everyone.
This is combined with a limited gift budget for the holidays.
Oh, and I tweeted:
https://twitter.com/#!/Fernwise/status/140065168301375489
Great giveaway, Jenny!
I love supporting local stores, and we have a lot of great unique shops here in Portland.
Here’s my tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/kristalswan/status/139968242671304704
For the last couple of years, I’ve been prettttty good at buying through out the year.
In my family at Christmas, we only buy for the kids. When I’m out doing my thing through the year, I’ll grab lots of stocking stuffers and such.
It’s pretty cool how full the bag for each of the kids can get by December!!
https://twitter.com/#!/ASassyRedhead/status/140076277464965120
One of my favorite local shops is a bookstore called Broadway Books. I love getting recommendations from the staff on interesting books to share with my friends and family.
I stick strictly to my shopping list and won’t buy anything unless it’s on sale or I have a coupon for it.
tweet–https://twitter.com/#!/mami2jcn/status/140083495413366785
oh how i could use this for Christmas this year, hannah got socks last year…
i wish i was kidding… we budget by not buying gifts because we cannot, sadly. We are in full-time Christian service and we just don’t have the money to spend on gifts. but we are doing what we are called to do and we are loving every minute of it!! 
http://twitter.com/#!/jo_blog_diggidy/status/140089731395489793
I also blogged http://blog-diggidy.com/index.php/2011/11/jenny/ (feel free to delete all obnoxious un-needed comments,sorry)
for the Christmas wish list, the boys are to come up with things they want to do, too… like going fishing with Dad or baking chocolate chip cookies with Grandma… or driving around Poulsbo the week after Christmas to look at all the Christmas lights
I love the idea of Small Business Saturday. When I lived in Seattle (Ballard), WA this seemed to be so much easier! I moved to Sacramento, CA last year and they just don’t seem to have as many locally owned shops. I’m still on the search for them though! I do like to do shopping online though and I visit shops on Etsy and I know of a few artists/jewelers on Facebook.
Thanks for the opportunity!
My wife does most of the xmas shopping… and I think it may be magic that she uses…. lol
https://twitter.com/#!/fogrocker/status/140144089692782593
I try to shop local and I also shop handmade (etsy). My teacher gifts and gifts I give to friends are usually handmade by me.
My tip is watch for the sales,make an list an stick to it an dont be swayed to buy things not on your list,,,we have a budget an I buy with that in mind,,there are lots of sales besides the black friday ones
vlbelk(at)hotmail.com
tweet
vlbelk(at)hotmail.com
http://twitter.com/#!/vickiecouturier/status/140169170137513984
We set a limit on the amount per gift. Then furing the year we look for sales and shop all year round for gifts. It works out well.
Throughout the year we look for deals on toys/gifts and when we see something on sale we buy it. When Christmas comes around we usually have most of our presents bought. This is how we save money.
tweeted
https://twitter.com/#!/JenniferCNP/status/140175227782049792
What a great and helpful giveaway! Thanks for the chance.
We buy presents in the early fall so as to be finished by the time all the hype rolls around. It’s easy to stay away from temptation when you aren’t in the stores!
I make a list ahead of time and stick to it!
gina.m.maddox (AT) gmail (DOT) com
tweet-http://twitter.com/#!/CrazyItalian0/status/140202775706468352
gina.m.maddox (AT) gmail (DOT) com
I keep my budget in check by setting a dollar amount per recipient, and then sticking to it. My kids don’t NEED anything, so I just get them a few things that they want.
tweeted! https://twitter.com/#!/racheldrechsel/status/140205251767709696
Stick with the list that we made/decided of how much to spend on each person, resist impulse buy.
tcarolinep at gmail dot com
tweet.http://twitter.com/#!/tcarolinep/status/140205135581294594
I always use coupons when I buy something and set a strict budget for the holiday gifts.
http://twitter.com/#!/ElenaIstomina/status/140208921666269185
I stay within my holiday budget by setting a limit on how much I’m going to spend on each person. To accomplish this I shop sales, use coupons, and use cash back sites.
pokergrl8 at gmail.com
http://twitter.com/#!/aes529/status/140219431908417537
pokergrl8 at gmail.com
I really do my best to watch the sales and buy things when I find them. I make lists and stick to them.
http://twitter.com/#!/Good_Bad_Crafty/status/140225313610272768
I faithfully tuck $25 a payday into a very inaccessible bank account all year long. It sounds like a very small amount but by the following year, I have $600!
One way I save money is I shop all year long for Christmas gifts when I find outrageous sales. I stash my finds in a gift bin. I also thrift and make the rest. That way I definitely save money…and hopefully save something from the landfill.
Thanks for the chance to win!!
~Michelle
http://www.falafelandthebee.com
I tweeted about it, but don’t know how to leave the URL on HootSuite.???
It is under Falafelanthebee
I buy small presents at local shops throughout the year and make a lot of gifts too. We try to give “experiences” from the heart to build those special memories.
I wait around for my husband’s bonus that comes every November….but this one. Oy.
I keep a gift-giving notebook year-round. I keep track of who I have to buy for, my ideas and what I actually got. Because I always have the best ideas in July. This helps me not forget come December.
My fav tip… handmake gifts! If you’re not lazy that is…..
We also have a Christmas fund. Usually starting in August we start putting money aside for gifts. By December it’s an easier hit on the (pretty, pink) wallet. Merry Christmas!
When I shop online I go through Ebates to get money back on my purchase.
We set a certain budget per person and try to stick within that limit. We usually buy gifts for our immediate family, draw names for extended family members, and bake delicious gifts for everyone else.
Here are some of my ideas for this year to save money: I like the idea of giving a board game to a whole family. Also, I’ll be giving some close friends an ornament that fits their personality or goes with an inside joke.
If you don’t have money, go for sentimental value. Framed photos of the kiddos are always a hit with grandparents, especially if you have creative photos to show off. Last year I made Tastebook recipe books for all my family members, and included all of Grandma’s recipes. It was a hit.
At thanksgiving we all make lists and we have a budget. The kids know to put needs and crazy wants on the list. They will get something that is on their list. Uncle Wayne always has a red Ferrari on his list and throughout the years has received a few model versions, but never the full size item. The kids have received socks with each one wrapped separately. Then Mr. Langworthy chooses one lucky person each year to receive the “clue” gift — he wraps up a clue in one box which has to be solved to find the location of the next clue to get to the next clue and so on until the gift is located. Hey, it’s a frustrating but expected tradition, and everyone helps to solve the clues. Really it is the traditions (Taylor Ham for breakfast — a New Jersey treat, grandma’s Swiss-German cookies, Uncle Doug’s stollen, the remembering of family members not at this year’s gathering, and more!) and the story of Jesus’ birth that make it Christmas.
I stay within budget by using discount coupon codes from retailmenot and ebates cash back. I find better deals online because I have time to search for the better price and I don’t impulse buy
use coupon code and shop on line, save gas money. I also compare the price before i place order.
http://twitter.com/#!/HappyTina0115/status/140598146899247104
Yup! In fact, I read this just after getting home from a local kids’ stuff consignment shop.
This is going to be a tough year for us, so Hubs and I decided we won’t be exchanging gifts. (that is really hard)
And most of the gifts to the kids will be necessity types (shoes & clothes) and from Goodwill. Sad, but true. Plus I’ve already gotten the kid’s Big Santa Gift from garage sales this summer.
Tweeted!
https://twitter.com/#!/monstergirlee/status/140693583421390848
Thanks for a chance to win.
I make a list and then find sales, discount codes and coupons to coordinate with my list and stick to it.
Tweet
https://twitter.com/#!/disneyfan40/status/140879426316546049
Oh heck. Everyone else is so organized. We just try to be reasonable, and we go a little overboard, we eat ramen for about forever.
I tweeted: blozulfog blozulfog
Shopping Smart, Holiday Shopping Challenge, and a $250 GIVEAWAY jennyonthespot.com/sponsored/shop…
Lists, lists, lists! I make them and stick to them, it’s the only way. I usually add a set dollar amount for extra items as well, so of I see an impulse buy then it is technically on the list.
my tip is just to make a list and stick to it
thepryfamily@gmail.com
https://twitter.com/#!/annatiffany2/status/141159923345129472
thepryfamily@gmail.com
We keep an excel spreadsheet of every gift purchase, it works!
Tweet!
http://twitter.com/#!/channynn/status/141237427498000386
Great giveaway! We tell our kids they can ask for three things. They may receive more but, they can only ASK for three. It helps keep their expectations low and prioritize what they really want and not just ask for EVERYTHING!
I buy everything on sale. I keep ALL the receipts. From now until Christmas I watch the sale ads and if I find the items cheaper I either get a price adjustment or return the items and re-buy at the cheaper price.
I make a lot of my presents. Friends and extended family truly treasure handcrafted items.
I start shopping early. That way, if something isn’t on sale, I have a little buffer time to keep checking back for sales and coupons.
I always pay cash for stuff, all year long. Every week or so I dump all the change (and the occasional $1 bill) out of my purse into our change jar. In November I roll all the coins and take it into the bank to get our Christmas shopping money. We don’t miss it throughout the year and it (almost) covered everything
What you mean Christmas ALWAYS comes at the same time EVERY year???? Who knew?!?
We make it work by having an envelope too and taking cash to the stores with a list. If it’s not on the list, it ain’t coming home…
It also helps now that my very large family does a name draw on Thanksgiving so instead of 30+presents we only need to purchase about 17 (kids are exempt from the name draw).
If we win this gift card, we know exactly where we’re using it. Each year the last presents we buy is for a child off the Giving Tree. This has become our most favorite and cherished tradition! With times being so rough, we are unable to buy the child the ‘big ticket’ items off their list. This gift card will really make a dent in that!
I always use Swagbucks as a search engine and every 450 pts. I “buy” an Amazon giftcard worth $5.00. I’ve been doing it since January and now I have almost $200.00 in giftcards that I can shop away…no guilt and no actual money has to be used! Also, we tell our girls to list 4 things that they really really want and they will get them. They know not to list 4 expensive things, just items they would love to have. Example, our 11 yr. old daughter asked for school sweatshirt, moccasins, earrings and an MP3 player. Done
Look for great buys throughout the year and have a designated tote to put those buys in. Come holiday time, open & start sorting for teachers, little friends, etc…
I tuck money away all year, and shop clearance for stocking stuffers. You’ve inspired me. I need to start looking through our community, because I KNOW we have some great small businesses!
Heres my Tweet:
greensullivan
Who doesn’t need extra $? Win a $250 gift card from American Express in @jennyonthespot’s Holiday Shopping Challenge! bit.ly/u77OVc
Here is the url (I think):
https://twitter.com/#
We accumulate our Christmas gifts throughout the year for family and friends. The kids are more ‘trendy’ so those we get in December by having a list and tracking sales.
Tweeted… https://twitter.com/#!/jdnorthwest/status/141912987245096960
https://twitter.com/#!/jen_to_the_nth. In to win it, baby.
And here’s the blog post. http://preteenstoddlersandnewbornsohmy.blogspot.com/2011/11/giving-back.html
I save by looking for discounts, but I don’t do Black Friday. I subscribe to several coupon mom blogs, so I usually find tips. I usually only get my kids and husband one “big” present, and then a bunch of little ones like pencils, craft stuff, socks, pens, underwear, gloves etc, and of course lots of snacks and candy to fill up their stockings. Here is the link to my tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/taranehguidry/status/141920264991682560
With so many rewards programs to choose from, I have sorted through and tried several. I like the programs that give me rewards that are flexible to spend on sites where I can leverage that reward even farther. As an example of one, CVS gives AMEX Gift Cards, during the holidays, as a weekly spending incentive on top of their regular rewards. Earning AMEX Gift Cards allows me to purchase deals online without touching my household budget. I love that they are accepted just like a credit card on most of the major online stores. I try not to touch my household budget for major holiday celebrations and this is one way I can do that. This also allows me to put more into savings. Between coupons, freebies, reward programs, blogger giveaways, and corporate promotions like the Small Business Shopping promotion with AMEX and FedEx, my family can enjoy a few special treats without my budget suffering or going into debt. I can also use this type of reward to support my local businesses. Thanks to bloggers like you, my family is doing better this year and I have hope that we can do even better next year with planning and organization.
I tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/Allhoneyhere/status/141935475182157824
Thanks for the giveaway!!
I stay in my budget by shopping for birthdays and the holidays all year long – even at garage sales (kids don’t care – yet- if the stuff is brand new or not!).
This is a wonderful giveaway for this time of year. Unfortunately, the last few years I have had to turn to the Food Bank Toy shop or the church for most of my presents for my girl. We do not get presents for each other, and I will only buy a couple “big” items if I can for her. Most of the time, this is when she get’s new jammies, clothes, shoes etc. I would love to be able to surprise her this year with a couple more “want” things rather than “need” things.
Oh forgot, as she get’s older (as you well know) the wants get more technical and more expensive!
dont spend! get creative is a tip! Thanks for this splendid giveaway
I tweeted at http://twitter.com/#!/anashct/status/142118653201104896
email: anashct1 [at] yahoo [dot] com
I hit up all the sales I can throughout the year
sweokgrl@gmail.com
I tweeted
sweokgrl@gmail.com
https://twitter.com/#!/bdiane34/status/142235827118948352
I’m making gifts, too!
We have the kids write lists by priority and try to teach them value instead of volume!
I shop constantly (it’s a good excuse) but don’t impulse buy unless it’s something I know a use for or it’s something I’ve been coveting a while.
Pick me please! I have a six month old grandson who needs new clothes and I would love to buy him some toys!
Throughout the summer and fall, you can find me in my kitchen with beads of sweat (being blotted by my best hankie, of course) preserving the Harvest! In this economy, a girl gots to do what a girl gots to do. Plus, who doesn’t love Smooth Apricot Jam with Maple and Vanilla? Or Salsa? Or, or, or….. pick me – and you get a jar – fo sho
So, I’m thinking Friday is December 2nd, no?
The best Holiday Budget Tip I have is to figure out your budget in advance.
I tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/ChristianClippe/status/142614675127939072
to keep in budget I stick to a list..I do not stray from the list.
I make a list. And check it twice. Then throw it out because my kids don’t want THAT stuff anymore because a NEW version just came out. Or whatever. So basically I cave, get the kids what they want and become an extreme couponer for a while to try to save and pay off the credit card. Merry Christmas!
I shop through the year for certain things, like gifts for the clubs I belong to. For the kids and grandkids, we have started giving cash or gift cards.
I tweeted https://twitter.com/#!/phyllis2win/status/142617430227828736
My favorite tip is to always check prices, online vs. in store! It has saved me a fortune!
My dad was a pastor growing up so we really had very little extra even at Christmas. One of my favorite gifts was the year that we drew names and we each made a coupon book for the person we had drawn. These coupons could be redeemed at any time for things like “doing you chores for a week”, or “redeem for one 15 minute shoulder rub”, or “redeem for a dozen baked cookies”. We had fun coming up with ideas then we were able to redeem them all throughout the new year!!!
I made most of my gifts this year, as long as it’s functional, people enjoy it and appreciate the time you put into it. Making or baking saves a lot of money and most people are in a tough spot these years not anyways, they understand. I think christmas is more abotu the feeling of Christmas than the giving/getting. As it should be.
We set a dollar limit for my side of the family and then I stick to it. I also supplement with some crazy make-a-bunch-of-them homemade project. I’ve done Christmas ornaments, aprons, lingerie bags, and this year lined grocery bags made from jeans.
We do a Secret Santa for all the kid cousins and they each do one gift capped at $25. That way we are all giving to our nieces and nephews without having to buy for all 9 of them!
I do two things to help save for the holidays. I use crafts and personal ideas to cut costs (pictures in a nice frame) and I don’t go crazy with the present buying. One good gift is better than 10 okay ones, and you’ll end up saving in the long run.
Swagbucks!!