Your Cheapest Holiday Season Ever

Don’t financially fret about the upcoming holiday season. There are several ways to enjoy it without spending a bundle. You just have to be dollar savvy and shopper smart about holiday entertaining and gift giving. There are some ways and methods that are low cost and easy to do. Not only will you be able to have the cheapest holiday season ever, you’ll also have the best!

1. Pot Luck Thanksgiving. Instead of cooking for your guests, have your guests cook for you. Have everyone bring over one component of the Thanksgiving meal. The turkey and gravy can be the host’s contribution because it’s easier to cook the bird inhouse as opposed to moving it to someone else‘s. Ditto for the gravy too,. However the sides and dessert can easily be made somewhere else and transported over. Discuss with guests what they’d like to make . This idea can also apply to Christmas and New Year’s Eve and Day dinners too. Just remember not to have duplicates.
2. Coupon crazy. Take advantage of both on line and printed coupons. Buy everything you need for these upcoming holidays now. Also a lot of supermarkets are offering double discount s if you use their club cards during November and December . Some are even offering discount in multiples such as five of the same items for a dollar or ten for five dollars. Stock up on the essentials you need, like canned vegetables, flour and sugar. These will come in handy when you have to make sides as well as ingredients for baked goods. Also use the multiple discounts to stock up on party essentials like soda , crackers dips , and olives.
3. Dollar store delights. The dollar store is a great place for finding everything. You can buy Thanksgiving table cloths to Christmas wrapping paper. This is the go to place for most of your gift giving and holiday decorating. .You can buy cute picture frames for your office mates, stocking stuffers for your kids and holiday plates for your table. There are also tree and house ornaments along with outdoor lights and wreathes/. Dollar stores also have th e most extensive range of wrapping paper and boxes so buy all your wrapping needs there.
4. High glamour, low budget. This is the season for dressing up and party going. However it’s no fun if you have no party togs to wear. What to do? Well if you ‘re a guy you can wear regular suit or rent a tux. If you’re a gal, well you can go to Rent The Runway a brand new site where you can rent glamorous designer dresses and gowns for as low as fifty bucks. They will be mailed to you ,wrapped , cleaned and all set to go. If you prefer on buying your own look to Target and Penney’s for some pretty and budget friendly holiday dresses. Also online stores such as Chadwick’s and Newport along with Metro Style has some good bargains and low shipping costs right now on dresses and suits. Looking for party shoes? Payless has some awesome styles for low prices. Check out designer Christian Siriano‘s gold pumps or Abeate’s wear with anything flats.
5. An old fashioned kind of holiday .Do what your great grandparents did – celebrate the holidays with economy. Don’t invite everyone over for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. Limit it to your immediate family. Nix the friends , the roomies the third and fourth cousins. You’ll save on food . Also think a bout giving one gift only per person or one big gift the entire family can enjoy. Another money saver is having a small holiday display. Don’t turn your house into an homage to Vegas or an airport runway. A few lights on just one tree or candles in the downstairs windows look as festive as any splashy show.
6. Be thrifty. Thrift stores are a great way to pick up gifts especially old DVDs and albums. Also you may be able to find some designer jeans, bags and coats for just a couple of bucks. Remember to thoroughly examine the seams and hems to make sure that they’re not frayed. You can also find some toys at your thrift store as well. Check and double check to see that they’re not missing parts or broken in any way.
7.  Handmade is the best made. This is the season for you if you can knit, crochet, bake or woodwork. Impress friends and family with homemade scarves and hats sets or hand carved spice racks. Also think about sewing designer originals for the fashionistas in your life or making homemade doll clothes for the Barbie set. Wood workers can also try making wooden toys and wagons. Bakers could whip up homemade gingerbread houses or cookie platters for loved ones. Be creative with your talents. It won’t cost you that much and you can have some fun doing so. .

Don‘t be worried about the cost of the upcoming holidays. Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukah , Kwanzaa and New Year’s can be low cost this year if you know how to save. In fact this may be the holiday season that will leave you in the black for once !