When you have a large one income family you get creative around the holidays, wait...did I just say that??? It's only October, right? Seriously though there are several stores already getting in the holiday mood so I begin to start thinking about Christmas.
Last year was one of the most frugal Christmases we have ever had but it was also one of the best which proves what I have always known to be true...it's not about the stuff.
So how does a mom with a tight budget and a large family plan for Christmas gift giving? Let me tell you....I start early. As a matter of fact I found almost all of my stocking stuffers today in the clearance aisle at Joann Fabrics. I start early and I stay on the lookout year round. For example we give each of our children a new pair of pajamas to open up on Christmas Eve and that way they have them Christmas morning. You know what? Those super cute flannel pajamas all get clearanced out the week after Christmas so that's when I can pick them up for next to nothing for the following year.
The same tactic works for other things as well. I can buy a special Christmas ornament for each of the children for a fraction of the cost when I peruse the after Christmas sales...same goes for all things winter (slippers, gloves, hats...etc) So I have the stocking stuffed, time to go find some of those goodies I packed away after the sales last year!
Last year was one of the most frugal Christmases we have ever had but it was also one of the best which proves what I have always known to be true...it's not about the stuff.
So how does a mom with a tight budget and a large family plan for Christmas gift giving? Let me tell you....I start early. As a matter of fact I found almost all of my stocking stuffers today in the clearance aisle at Joann Fabrics. I start early and I stay on the lookout year round. For example we give each of our children a new pair of pajamas to open up on Christmas Eve and that way they have them Christmas morning. You know what? Those super cute flannel pajamas all get clearanced out the week after Christmas so that's when I can pick them up for next to nothing for the following year.
The same tactic works for other things as well. I can buy a special Christmas ornament for each of the children for a fraction of the cost when I peruse the after Christmas sales...same goes for all things winter (slippers, gloves, hats...etc) So I have the stocking stuffed, time to go find some of those goodies I packed away after the sales last year!
