Shopping Christmas clearance for now and later

When I married into a large family, I had to think of creative ways to shop so I didn’t end up parting with large amounts of currency every Christmas season. My husband and I are both the types of people who love to find the perfect gift for someone. Especially after having children of my own, however, I found that I just plain couldn’t afford that “perfect gift” every year for every person.

If you are in a financial bind due to the economy right now and are worried about ways to save money on Christmas gifts this year, trust me there is still hope (even with Christmas a few days away). How? Let me share some ideas with you.

One tip I’d like to share in this next week is to hit the Christmas sales. Most Christmas items, with the furious pace retail sets now a days, will be on clearance this week to make room for Valentine’s Day merchandise. And if you are not going to use something this year, think of next year. For instance, every year I hit the Christmas clearance sales for things like jewelry, home décor items and other items I know I can use as Christmas gifts for family members next year. Personal tastes change, this is true, but there are some gifts that will always be welcome. Those are the gifts I try to find and buy at a fraction of the cost every year.

Second, if you do not have the money to hit the clearance sales, and trust me I relate, consider home made Christmas gifts. I know it sounds cliché, but it really is the thought that counts and something that you make yourself will always be appreciated by family and friends. One of the best Christmas gifts I ever received was a gift basket my sister-in-law made one year when she was working two jobs just to make rent. She made everyone in the family baskets with a loaf of bread, some home made fudge and other little “Christmas goodies.” I was touched that she would take the time to make such a thing when time nowadays is so short and I’m sure your family and friends would enjoy the sentiment as well. Not sure what to make? Just type “home made Christmas gift tutorials” into Google. You’ll find more than you’ll ever need to make things easier for you.

Erika Buswell runs a blog dedicated to coupons and deals in Alaska (http://alaskanbargainhunter.blogspot.com) and lives in Palmer with her husband and two children