6 Crafty Ways to Save Money Over the Holidays

​​​The holidays are often a time to spend extravagantly on food, gifts, decorations, and travel expenses. There are a million festive ways to spend money, but you may be wondering how to save money this time of year.

With a little creativity and strategy, the below list can help you find crafty ways to save money over the holidays this year.

1. Gift Your Time

Giving your time to a loved one or organization this holiday season is entirely free, not to mention incredibly rewarding. You can serve meals at a local food bank, pull together a community gift drive for kids in need, or watch your sibling's kids for the night while they go out and enjoy some much-needed time alone.

2. Shop the Sales

Black Friday deals used to be limited to the day after Thanksgiving, but now companies are offering discounts throughout November. Know what gifts you want to give and start to keep an eye out early.

And shopping the sales doesn't just go for gift-giving — it also goes for travel. Many airlines and travel companies will put fares on sale in the months leading up to the major travel holidays. Subscribe to emails from your favorite airlines to make sure you don't miss a thing.

3. Turn Gift-Giving Into a Game

White elephant and secret Santa are fun options for a group that will ensure each participant only needs to spend on one gift. These games allow guests to express their creative side and are guaranteed to get some laughs, too.

4. Make Gifts at Home

Pinterest is a fantastic resource this time of year. Not only will you find incredibly delicious recipes, but a slew of craft options for gifts for recipients young and old. Making a homemade gift is a fantastic way to save money, put a bit of your heart into it, and guarantee the recipient will treasure it for years to come.

5. Host a Potluck

If you're hosting an event this season, whether it be Thanksgiving dinner, a New Year's party, or otherwise, a potluck is a great option that also makes your job as the host easier! Having each attendee bring a shareable dish is not only a great way to keep costs low but also has the potential to turn into quite the recipe exchange. With everyone putting their best dish forward, it's sure to be a delicious time.

6. Make Ornaments Special

Decorating the Christmas tree can turn into a pricey endeavor. But you can help keep costs low by making homemade ornaments with family instead. Ideas like stringed popcorn, spray-painted acorns, and construction paper ornaments are relatively inexpensive and a fun way for family members to see their mark on the tree. You may be surprised at what your kids can come up with, given some craft supplies and an afternoon!

Before you partake in a spending frenzy this year, step back and remember why we celebrate. When you emphasize spending time with those you love, it won't feel necessary to splurge and suffer through the regret of overspending come January.

Notice: Information provided in this article is for informational purposes only. Consult your financial advisor about your financial circumstances.

Source: iQuanti, Inc.

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Tags: Financial Solutions, Holidays, Personal Finance, Save Money