The holidays are quickly approaching. The question you may be asking yourself is, how can I be frugal during the holidays? Being frugal does not mean being cheap. When we are frugal, we are trying to get the most for our hard-earned money. Sometimes there may not be an option to be able to save money on some things, but we can always do our best to see if we can first.
This time of year can be such a joyous time. Not having to add stress from holiday bills can help us to enjoy the season as well. There are things we can do to enjoy the season and not spend a lot of money doing so. I have included several suggestions.
Preparation to be Frugal During the Holidays!
- Set a budget for all categories.
When it comes to the holidays, there can be many different categories that we need to spend money on. Take your time and think of all the categories you have that requires you to spend money on. You don't want to miss one. Some categories may include: food and drinks, cards and stamps, and gifts.
Once you have written down all of your categories, set a realistic budget that you both want and are able to spend on each one. Being realistic with our budget can help set us up for success to stay within it. If you realize that you would not be able to stay within your budget, go back through your categories and see if there is anything you can cut back on. For example, could you change some of the food items you planned on having? Maybe choosing less options to have or less expensive options.
- Make your lists.
When making your lists, be sure to include all of them for the holidays. For example, will you be hosting a holiday party? If so, make a list of what food and drinks you will be serving along with the price you budget to spend. Will you be having games at your party? Make a list of what games you will provide. Will you need to purchase any of them? If so, write them down.
Another list is a gift list if you will be giving presents to others. Write down who you will be buying for and how much for each person you plan to spend.
Another list idea is a holiday card list if you plan to send some out. Who will you be sending them to? Do you need any of their addresses still? Do you need to purchase cards or stamps? Check to see if you already have some. Maybe you purchased some last year at an after holiday clearance sale.
Frugal ideas for the holidays.
Draw names.
As an alternative to purchasing gifts for everyone on your list, perhaps would some of you consider drawing names? For example, if you have ten people on your list to buy for and two of them are your children and one is your spouse, could the remaining seven and yourself draw names? That would be six less gifts to purchase if you only have one of the seven remaining on your list to buy for. If you spend for instance $15 on each of the seven other people on your list and buy one $15 gift in a name exchange, you would instantly save $90.
Gift something you have.
Are you hosting a holiday get together? Or do you and your siblings exchange gifts? One idea could be rather than to buy new gifts, gift something you already have. You could set the rules as being something new that you no longer want and it be something you feel the other person would like.
You could set a price limit and choose something that would be as close to that amount as possible with what you have. Something you no longer want could get great use from someone else. An example could be a price of $20. If you draw your sister's name and have a top that is new with tags that you know you are not going to wear, maybe she would love it. Make sure that the price would be about $20. This idea allows you to give something that you are not using and not have to spend money doing so.

Host a cookie exchange.
The holiday season is a great time to host a gathering. To help make it be frugal, you can serve cookies and ask that your guests bring a dozen cookies each to share. Spend an afternoon or evening catching up and delighting in one another's delicious baked goods. Before everyone leaves, you could provide each person with a baggie or cute tin and they could pick out several cookies to take home with them.
Have an ornament exchange.
Plan an afternoon for an ornament exchange. Ask each person to bring a wrapped ornament. You could cap the price at $5 for example. You could provide cookies and enjoy an afternoon of fun. Another idea for this could be brining an ornament you already have that you would like to give.
Enjoy a holiday movie marathon.
Are there some holiday movies that you and your family love watching? You could plan an afternoon or evening and have a holiday movie marathon. Pop some popcorn and make hot cocoa and enjoy some movies while in one another's company. You can enjoy the movies without even leaving your home.
Enjoy holiday lights.
A lot of people put lights outside of their homes during this time of year. I have even seen light displays that are synced to holiday music. Spend a little bit of time one evening driving through the neighborhood enjoying the beautiful lights that are on display.
Conclusion
The most important thing is to spend time with those you love and care about. If you do host gatherings or buy gifts, try to not spend more than you budget for and try to enjoy your time as much as possible. The holidays go by quickly. Remember you do not have to spend a lot of money to have a great time.
Kaybee Lives says
This is a great list! As long as I plan ahead I usually have a frugal Christmas. If I am behind and don't plan ahead, then all bets are off! Thanks for sharing!
Amy says
Thank you! I understand, I try to plan ahead as well.
Aoife says
This was really good thank you for the ideas !!
Amy says
Thank you for reading and commenting 🙂
Kimberly says
I love the ornament exchange idea. I’m going to suggest it to my family. It would be great to exchange them on Thanksgiving so we would all have them for decorating when it’s time to put up the tree.
Amy says
That is a wonderful idea to exchange them at Thanksgiving! I love that idea. Thank you for sharing and for commenting!