Christmas is kind of expensive. Last year was the first time in a while that I was working somewhere with co-workers and I forgot how expensive grabbing a few little things here and there can get.

I’ve been pretty lucky that most of the last few years, my Christmas gift list is my parents, my brother, his girlfriend and my two best friends. It generally doesn’t break the bank. Last year I added a dog to that list.

Last year I also added a work secret Santa, my assistant, one of the girls who worked in the office with me, our stage manager – the list seemed to add up quickly.

Not gonna lie, when I set my escape date from the job for December 22^nd, the skipping the holidays here savings did cross my mind.

But whether you’ve got one gift to get or twenty, there are some things you can do you minimize the holiday damage.

#1: Install the right help right on your computer. 

My two biggest money savers year round are eBates and Honey. Honey automatically scours the internet to apply coupon codes. eBates will give you a rebate for any purchases made on a site that’s part of the eBates universe. Over the last few years, I’ve earned $487.38 in shopping rebates.

Back in the olden days, when I would walk uphill in the snow both ways to school, you had to go to the eBates website and use it as a portal to get to the other sites and get the rebates that way. I never used to remember to go there first. Now, since it’s an extension in my Chrome browser, it just alerts me if I’m shopping on one of their sites and asks me if I want to save some money.

Thanks, eBates. Yes, I do.

#2: Make a list and check it twice. 

Ok, maybe you don’t have to check it twice, but having a clear idea of who you’re buying for gives you a better idea of the big pictures – and it keeps you from getting your favorite cousin Sam two Christmas gifts because you just totally forgot about the first one you already picked up for her in the made Christmas shopping rush.

A list also helps you out with making a Christmas budget. Some people see Christmas budgets as a buzzkill. I see them as the way to a happier New Year – especially if your list is large. If you jot down an amount you’d like to aim to spend next to each person, it’ll help narrow down your shopping a little and let you make a plan for how much you’ll need to get through the season.

#3: Raise 

Have I mentioned I love Raise much? You can actually just gift folks gift certificates from Raise, if you want to save a few dollars, or you can use that list you made to figure out where you’re likely going to do a lot of shopping and pick up gift cards for those places on Raise before you head out the door. This way you’re starting with some instant savings.

If you don’t know what Raise is, it’s a gift card reselling site. Let’s say you’re a Dunkin Donuts gal through and through and some well meaning family member gifts you a Starbucks gift card for Christmas. You can let that thing rot in your wallet or you can turn a $25 gift card you don’t want into $22 of cash and some Starbucks lover can save $3 on a brand new $25 gift card.

Raise is totally how I keep my Starbucks app stocked.

They have a lot more than just Starbucks though. Raise has gift cards to places like Best Buy, Macy’s, Kohl’s, Sephora and way more. As a matter of fact, the more niche the store, often the bigger the savings. If you’re looking for something for the fisherman in your life, you might get a 2% discount on a gift card from Target, but a 11% discount on a gift card from Cabela’s. Spend a little time poking around the site with your Christmas list.

#4: Regifting

Did you gasp when you read this? Maybe regifting isn’t entirely what I mean, but in my home, I have a shelf where random items go through out the year that could be like a housewarming or hostess gift. Some of them are regifts – well intentioned things that are totally not my style or maybe I just already own one of whatever it is. Others are more the buy one, get one free type of items. If I wind up with an extra free candle or extra bottles of nail polish from a CVS deal – anything along those lines.

 

Now, I’m not saying to regift that weird non-fiction book about moving vases with your mind for beginners or that strangely personalized homemade quilt your crazy Aunt Betty made you. This is a shelf of legit “extras” that have just come into your life over time. When I was mystery shopping, I would often wind up with some “extra” that were perfect for the hostess gift shelf.

 

How do you keep the holidays from destroying your budget?