It’s that time of the year again. Time to buy the gifts and spend the money that us college students don’t have. Every year I face the dilemma of how to buy my friends and family great gifts while still being able to afford to eat during the month of January. Believe it or not, there are great ways to save money throughout the month and still give great gifts.
A couple of years ago, my friends and I decided to start doing a Secret Santa Christmas. Secret Santa is a great way to bring everyone together for a good time while only having to buy one gift. This way, it is easier to spend a little bit more money on that one gift for your friend instead of buying a gift for everyone. Secret Santa is fun and affordable and one of the best ways to save money during the holiday season.
Because college students are often times in a hurry to get shopping done, we don’t want to take the time to seek out the discounts and sales going on around town. However, the newspaper and local magazines always have coupons and advertisements for sales that are currently going on. If you take about 20 minutes out of your morning to browse through the paper, it is easy to locate where the good deals are. Also, don’t forget to look on the stores Website. Many stores have amazing online discounts that you can’t find in the store. It is easy to buy in bulk online and, a lot of times, you can find free shipping during the holidays. Another tip that I find helpful when shopping on a budget is to always make a list of what you are looking for before you head to the mall. If you go to the mall without any idea of what you are looking for, it will take more time and the chances of spending more money are very high.
Lately, I have been consumed with “Do It Yourself” blogs. They have awesome ideas and concepts for holiday decorating and gift giving. DIY projects are fun and usually cheaper than buying the finished product in the store. Even if you are not a crafty person, these Websites have step-by-step directions to the projects. Not only are these gifts fun to make and give to people, but by making it yourself, it has more sentimental value attached to it. There is always a feeling of accomplishment after taking the time to make your own gifts to give to family and friends.
Holiday shopping on a budget can be scary but it is do-able, and you can save money without skimping on quality. By taking the extra time to find sales and discounts, you can save a bunch. For great DIY ideas for gifts, visit http://www.creaturecomfortsblog.com or http://www.pepperdesignblog.com. And don’t forget to make your own Christmas cards for everyone!
A couple of years ago, my friends and I decided to start doing a Secret Santa Christmas. Secret Santa is a great way to bring everyone together for a good time while only having to buy one gift. This way, it is easier to spend a little bit more money on that one gift for your friend instead of buying a gift for everyone. Secret Santa is fun and affordable and one of the best ways to save money during the holiday season.
Because college students are often times in a hurry to get shopping done, we don’t want to take the time to seek out the discounts and sales going on around town. However, the newspaper and local magazines always have coupons and advertisements for sales that are currently going on. If you take about 20 minutes out of your morning to browse through the paper, it is easy to locate where the good deals are. Also, don’t forget to look on the stores Website. Many stores have amazing online discounts that you can’t find in the store. It is easy to buy in bulk online and, a lot of times, you can find free shipping during the holidays. Another tip that I find helpful when shopping on a budget is to always make a list of what you are looking for before you head to the mall. If you go to the mall without any idea of what you are looking for, it will take more time and the chances of spending more money are very high.
Lately, I have been consumed with “Do It Yourself” blogs. They have awesome ideas and concepts for holiday decorating and gift giving. DIY projects are fun and usually cheaper than buying the finished product in the store. Even if you are not a crafty person, these Websites have step-by-step directions to the projects. Not only are these gifts fun to make and give to people, but by making it yourself, it has more sentimental value attached to it. There is always a feeling of accomplishment after taking the time to make your own gifts to give to family and friends.
Holiday shopping on a budget can be scary but it is do-able, and you can save money without skimping on quality. By taking the extra time to find sales and discounts, you can save a bunch. For great DIY ideas for gifts, visit http://www.creaturecomfortsblog.com or http://www.pepperdesignblog.com. And don’t forget to make your own Christmas cards for everyone!
Devon Turner, YWCA Public Relations Intern
"I am currently a senior at the University of Tennessee and I will receive my Bachelor of Science degree in Communications with a major in Public Relations with a minor in French. I am originally from Charlotte, North Carolina but I have lived in Knoxville for four years. I love to travel around with my friends and family and make memories that will last forever.When I graduate, I plan to move back to Charlotte for a while then I would love to go explore the West Coast. I love dogs, surrounding myself around good people, and listening to interesting music."
