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Creating Christmas on a shoe strring budget may be a daunting task but it is a goal that is achieveable during these tough economic times. It is time for planning, gift making and scaling back on the number of people on the gift recieving end of the list. Adults will understand the need to cut back but it will be a bit harder for children to comprehend that there is no money for the expensive toys advertized on every channel geared toward children.

Planning

Although budgets are tight all over by using the shoe string method of planning there can still be enough money to allow for a few extras at Christmas. The toys and other gifts may not be what the children see on televison but they will have something under the  tree come Christmas morning.

Scouring resale shops and dollar stores can lead to a variety of gifts for children. Consignment shops offer great deals at a reduced price. Many items are like new or need very little fixing up to  be made almost as good as new. There are clothes that often times still have the price tags attached. It may simply be a case of someone buying something they changed their mind about wearing. Much of the clothes on the racks have been worn only a time or two, thus they still have that new clothing item appeal.

Dollar stores are a shoe string budget person’s best friend. There are numerous toys, craft objects and books to choose from for those who have little ones on their list. This enables parents to buy many small items to wrap up instead on one big expensive item.

For the teens on the list, Dollar stores offer candles, bath items knockoff perfumes and colognes there are often gadgets for phones also. Use these items as fillers when considering what to get teens. They may have more of a concept of the money situation and be more open to the thought put into the gift rather than the price.

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Gift Making

Now is the time to make gifts for Christmas. Homemade items for the children’s rooms and baked goods for friends and family can stretch the shoe string budget. Consider making homemade breads, cakes and cookies as gifts instead of the store bought items that adorn the shelves. Make your own labels using last year’s Chriatmas cards. Wrap the presents in leftover Christmas wrap or aluminum foil with a pretty bow. The personal touch you add will be appreciated since anyone receiving the gifts will understand the need for homemade gifts this year.

Trimming Back Your List

For years the Christmas list have grown out of proportion. We felt the need to give a gift to all those who do us a service. We have given gifts to all the adults in our lives and each year it seems more people show up on our list to recieve gifts. This year install the children and teens in the family concept. Exchange names if the family has grown during the year. Then there is only one gift to give instead of something for everyone. For teachers, church members and coworkers that have always recieved gifts, if you feel the need to give then something, out them on the baked goods list. However if there is no spare money for the extra involved in this venture most will understand since they are probably struggling too. Trim the list whereever possible to cover only those closest to you.

Executing the Christmas Shoe String Budget

Figure out how much you can afford to spend and stay within that budget. Leave the credit cards at home. No need to fall victim to impulse buying or run up a bill that will haunt you in January. Aim towards more homemade gifts this year.

Grandparents will love a picture frame adorned with the art work of their grandchildren as much as an expensive present. Use school pictures in the frames decorated by the children. Buy irregular T-shirts and after washing let the children decorate them with fabric paint. Perhaps let the children make jewelry or paint plaster objects available in craft stores and retail outlets.

Get teens scrap booking materials to create their own personal scrapbook. Target the materials toward their interest. This may open a whole new hobby as they can create something all their own.

Children love to show off their artwork and abilities by making craft projects. Collect multiple items to allow the children to show off their creativity. There are boxed items in craft stores and retail outlets to make many crafts.

The main thing is to stay within your budget. It may mean there is no new games for the X-box or designer clothes, unless you found them in the resale shops, but there will be gifts under the tree. Strongly suggest the idea o an old fashion Christmas with the family being together instead of a commercialized Christmas where everyone is trying to out do everyone else. This type of planning will help you stay within your Christmas shoe sting budget.