Sourcing good but cheap Christmas gifts

No matter what time of year it is Christmas is never far away. Each year the cost of Christmas increases and yet for many people their income will not have done so. Having said that, experiencing a great Christmas is about more than just spending too much money.

The secret of enjoying a great Christmas is about family, friends, celebrating the birth of Christ, and of course it is about children. Gift giving is an integral part of Christmas celebrations around the world but can be a worry. We all love to see the recipient's eyes light up when they open their Christmas gift but spreading such pleasure can be costly. However in reality it does not have to cost the earth.

It’s never too early to buy Christmas gifts

Forward planning is essential if money is in short supply; even if it is not why spend more money on Christmas gifts than is necessary? Shopping for Christmas gifts throughout the year means that you can take advantage of sale prices and special deals.

Free gifts
Believe it or not there are some suitable gift items that are free or almost free. Consider:

• Saving club-card points such as Tesco's in the UK and using them to purchase Christmas gifts.
• When you purchase some items, such as those in the Clinique range, for example, a bonus free gift is given. These free gifts can be fairly substantial. Either use for a Christmas gift or toward a Christmas gift.
• Save vouchers earned from completing surveys through the year and cash them in at Christmas for some or all of your gifts. Be careful if you are saving such vouchers that the store does not cease trading before you can use the vouchers.
• Save any money gained from a cash-back Internet site and use for Christmas gift shopping. Buy the gifts from these sites and start building more cash-back.
• These free gifts can be fairly substantial. Either use for a Christmas gift or toward a Christmas gift.
• Save vouchers earned from completing surveys through the year and cash them in at Christmas for some or all of your gifts. Be careful if you are saving such vouchers that the store does not cease trading before you can use the vouchers.
• Save any money gained from a cash-back Internet site and use for Christmas gift shopping. Buy the gifts from these sites and start building more cash-back.

Do it yourself gifts.

Do it yourself gifts are those that you have made or assembled yourself. For example, how about:

• Collecting suitable toiletries throughout the year and packaging them in a nice Christmas gift basket. The gift can be personalised with Christmas wrapping paper and bows making it look far more expensive than it actually was.
• Utilise your creativity and make the Christmas gift. Try making wine, chutneys, pickles, sweets and candies, cakes, soaps and more.
  

• The initial outlay will be small and such a gift is sure to please. Package the gift with all the trimmings in order make it great on the eye.
  
• Bake and attractively decorate a batch of cookies. Package into a lovely Christmas themed jar.
• If you are good at do it yourself, such as woodwork, make attractive book ends, a magazine rack, a computer mouse holder or book shelves.
• For those with an artistic streak create a work of art, embroidery, knitting, glass work or pottery. There are endless possibilities.
• Hunt for bargain books and DVDs and then personalise the covers with appropriate protective jackets.

• Record yourself reading a short story onto a cassette or CD. This would make a great gift for grandparents whose eye sight may be failing. The bonus is that they will love that it is your voice they can hear.
• Buy a pretty but basic photo album or scrap book early in the year. Throughout the year add photos and notes that will interest the recipient.

How to buy cheap Christmas gifts

If you have started shopping for Christmas gifts early in the year you should be able to take full advantage of the January sales. Make sure however that you do not buy items that will be unpopular or unfashionable by the next Christmas.

• Try to think of a few suitable gifts for each person on your Christmas shopping list. Use these ideas to research the Internet. Ensure that you use websites where you can compare prices. This should enable you to secure the best price around.
• Remember that gifts can appear far more expensive with some added touches such as stylish wrapping paper and bows.
• Check out websites such as EBay to see what may be suitable for a Christmas gift.
• Always have your Christmas gift list in your purse or wallet. This will mean that you can check it if you think you may have spotted a possible bargain gift.

You will need
Imagination.
Forward planning.
A list of those you want to buy a gift for.
Some current knowledge of the recipient such as age, hobbies and interests.
To always have some cash set aside for Christmas gift shopping.

Tips & Warnings
Shop early for Christmas gifts. Remember the best bargains are soon snapped up.
Research on-line for special offers.
Use cash-back websites when possible.
Keep your eyes open for potential Christmas gifts and ideas.
Avoid using a credit card to purchase the gifts. In the long run using such a card will make them expensive.

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