In our long cherished Filipino tradition, the countdown to the happiest time of the year officially begins. It usually transpire as early as the start of the “ber” months. Christmas is all about giving and sharing our blessings to other. It is also the perfect moment to treat our families and friends. It can either be to good food or surprise them with thoughtful presents. In addition, there are money-saving tips for Christmas that you can do to reduce your holiday spending.
Some of us—affluent or not—are fond of throwing big parties. This results to whipping up a sumptuous Noche Buena feast and pampering ourselves with new outfits,. Some would be giving aguinaldo to our godchildren and splurging on extravagant gifts and vacations during this festive season. We do all these even if it means maxing out our credit cards. Every Christmas, it has also been our yearly custom to have Kris Kringle. It is a form of gift exchange in the office, at home, and even with our college besties. No wonder malls and bazaars are often jam-packed with busy shoppers. Likewise, our online carts are filled with some cool stuff for check out.
Your Presence is already a Present
Amid all the lavish spending and merry-making, we sometimes lose sight of the real essence of Christmas. It is actually celebrating the birth of Jesus with the people we care about and sharing our love to everyone. Gifts are not limited to material goods; we can also give someone a gift of quality time and effort. This can be done even though we can’t afford to buy them nice things. Sparkling decorations, overflowing banquets, expensive gifts, luxurious hotel staycations — these are all icing on the cake. We can always create priceless new memories that will stay with us forever without breaking the bank. In fact, one of the best money-saving tips this Christmas is being present.
It doesn’t mean we can’t play Santa to our loved ones. We can still give them wonderful presents that will make them feel special and ecstatic all throughout the holidays. What we’re saying is, you don’t have to shop ‘til you drop this festive season. Consequently, you might kick off the new year with a debt hangover. Don’t use Christmas as an excuse to overspend on things beyond your financial means.
By planning ahead, learning smart money management skills, and putting on your creative hats, you can avoid unnecessary financial stress. Check out these useful money-saving tips this Christmas season without skipping the holiday fun.
7 Great Money-saving Tips this Christmas
1. Make a budget plan (and stick to it)
Before hitting the malls or browsing online shops, take your time to sit down and make a list of people. The people you will be buying gifts for as well as the items you need to purchase. These can be presents, food, decor, clothes, and travel tickets. Then estimate how much you can afford to spend or allocate for each one. Not only will this save you from forgetting to buy someone special a gift or missing an important ingredient, it will also allow you to keep track of your expenses and avoid impulse spending.
Remember that you don’t have to pick the most expensive gifts just to impress your friends and family, then cry about your post-Christmas credit card bills later. Don’t forget to set a limit on how much you’re going to spend and of course, stick to your Christmas budget. Planning your budget ahead can also give you more time to save up, and it will help you identify the essential things that you need to prioritize for the holidays.
2. Be an early shopper
Fan of last-minute shopping during the holiday season? Hunting for the best deals and discounts just a few days before Christmas can be quite stressful, so you may want to consider buying presents for your loved ones in advance. It can save you a lot of money because you can take advantage of sales all year long. Some hot holiday gifts that you wish to purchase will most likely sell out fast, and shipping delays are the last thing you want to encounter, so it’s never too early to start shopping around to avoid getting caught up in the Christmas rush.
This also goes for party food shopping. Start planning your menu in advance, and stock up on non-perishable items and pantry staples in the weeks leading up to the 25th by grabbing some of the ingredients (make sure to check their expiration dates) during your weekly grocery runs or when they’re on sale. Ticking off some of the items on your Christmas shopping list each month will help spread out the spending throughout the year, easing the burden on your December budget.
3. Shop Online
Online shopping has many perks: avoiding traffic jams and crowded malls, having access to a vast selection of products, comparing prices and customer reviews, and conveniently adding items to your virtual cart from the comfort of your couch. It’s so easy and hassle-free. Our favorite e-commerce websites also offer enticing deals and huge discounts, so you can save money when buying gifts or groceries.
When you shop online, you can also avoid gasoline costs, parking fees, and unexpected purchases. Plus, you can see the total cost on your screen and instantly remove overpriced items before proceeding to check out. Always be on the lookout for promo codes, free vouchers, sale items, and other special discounts for more savings. Other online stores also offer free shipping when you reach a certain amount of purchase, so you may want to take advantage of that as well.
4. Make your own gifts
DIY Christmas gifts are just the sweetest, don’t you think? Putting in a lot of effort and creative prowess into something is definitely priceless and more valuable than buying an overpriced present only to show off. As the old saying goes, “It’s the thought that counts.” Homemade gifts made with love also have a personal touch and sentimental value in them that may be missing in presents purchased from the store. Aside from being memorable and heartwarming, giving DIY presents can also save you some cash this Christmas.
Try making scented candles, soaps, and body scrubs or baking delicious chocolate chip cookies, gingerbread biscuits, cupcakes, and other goodies. Whip up your own jam or sauce in the kitchen. Create a scrapbook for your bestie with your favorite travel photos and mementos. Customize your Christmas present based on the personality or interest of the recipient. And don’t forget to craft a Pinterest-approved packaging for your gifts to make them more special. You can also make some DIY Christmas decorations for your home instead of going for the store-bought ones. Not only will you save money, it’s also a fun bonding activity with the kids!
5. Organize a secret Santa gift exchange
Instead of buying a gift for each member of your family or barkada, you can suggest having a Secret Santa arrangement this Christmas. This gift exchange is a very practical money-saving strategy, especially if you have a big family or wide circle of friends because you will be assigned to give a Christmas present to only one person (while remaining anonymous). You’ll draw random names, agree on a spending limit, and make a wish list of gift ideas. It’s a fantastic way to trim down the number of gifts you need to purchase without losing the festive spirit.
Deciding on a maximum amount for the gifts is also important to avoid overspending, and each one in the group will receive a lovely present without going overboard with the gifting expenses. For those who cannot reunite with their loved ones this Christmas because of the pandemic, you can still continue this fun tradition by organizing a virtual Secret Santa, sending gifts through online delivery, and opening them together during your Zoom party!
6. Give gifts of service
If you’re really running low on budget this Christmas or you simply want to veer away from material presents like jewelry, perfume, and clothes, why not offer your gift of service instead? This is actually a practical money-saving gift this Christmas. Be creative and give your family and friends some funny holiday cards with personalized gift certificates or coupons that indicate what you are willing to do for them.
For example, you can write something like “good for one free massage,” “one full day of babysitting,” “free breakfast in bed,” “a week’s worth of dog walks,” “free manicure or foot spa at home,” “free house cleaning,” “free car wash,” and more. You can also offer to run errands for your elderly loved ones, cook healthy meals for your sister, do a family photoshoot for your best bud, drive your aunt to work, wash the dishes, pull out weeds in the garden, etc. These little chores and services are very much appreciated, especially for busy parents who need some time off or stressed relatives who long for a day of pampering.
7. Earn extra cash is a direct money-saving tip this Christmas
Want to make some extra money for additional Christmas funds? You can start selling some of your stuff that you don’t need anymore; it’s also a great way to declutter during the holidays. Look for the things that you don’t use (which are in good condition) and can be beneficial to other people.
Perhaps you still have the coffee maker you got from the office raffle, books that you already read, preloved baby items like car seats, toys, and strollers, a gorgeous gown you donned on your best friend’s wedding, a furniture that you need to get rid of, clothes that you’ve never worn, and old electronic devices like smartphones and tablets. You can sell these preloved items on online platforms like Carousell or Facebook Marketplace. Another way to earn extra cash for Christmas is by having side hustles such as blogging or working as a virtual assistant. You can also cut back on your coffee habit, bring your own lunch to work, or cancel some of your subscriptions as a money-saving tip this Christmas.
Celebrate Christmas in a resort-themed condo
Instead of booking a luxurious staycation to relax and unwind in the city, why not consider spending the holidays in a resort-themed condo in Caloocan? Staying in with your loved ones for the festive season doesn’t have to be dull. With a little bit of creativity, you can transform your place into a holiday fairytale by decorating it with sparkling ornaments and celebrating the joyful traditions with the whole family. After all, there’s no place like home for Christmas.
Camella Manors Caloocan, pre-selling condo in Caloocan, prides itself for having its own commercial complex and lifestyle amenities that are perfect for homeowners and investors who want to live a well-balanced life with comfort and convenience. As condo dwellers, you and your family can enjoy using the swimming pool, clubhouse, function hall, fitness gym, playpark, jogging path, and garden roofdeck. For your safety and peace of mind, 24/7 security is provided.
Have a merry little Christmas in the first mixed-use condo development in North Caloocan that is strategically located at the heart of Camarin Road. Explore the new side of Caloocan City where you can experience a blend of city and suburban living. Countless opportunities come with living near Quezon City, and its proximity to the province of Bulacan—which is known for its rich cultural heritage—is also an advantage.
Investing is still the best money-saving tip this Christmas
This affordable condo in Caloocan is also accessible to lifestyle centers, business hubs, and other major establishments in the city. It is only two minutes away from Caloocan City North Medical Center, 10 minutes away from SM City Fairview and Ayala Fairview Terraces, and 10 minutes away from National University Fairview and Our Lady of Fatima University-Lagro.
Commuters who plan to go to other parts of Metro Manila can soon use the Metro Rail Transit Line 7 for transportation. Once the railway project is done, Camella Manors Caloocan will just be 15 minutes away from the Mindanao Avenue Station of MRT-7, which will link North Avenue in Quezon City to San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.
Caloocan, a highly urbanized city in the National Capital Region, has grown into a preferred settlement among people from the metropolis because of its booming industrial and commercial centers as well as its huge residential area.
Camella Manors Caloocan is a 2.5-hectare project that offers five residential towers with 15 storeys each. It has studio units at 23.76 sq.m. and 28.55 sq.m. and one bedroom-type units at 30.36 sq.m.
Its strategic location in the NCR brings a lot of business opportunities for those who want to purchase a property investment in the Philippines. Because the residential property is in one of the most populous cities in the Philippines, the property’s market value is potentially high.
Please click here to visit its official website for additional information and inquiries about the property. Come home to Camella Manors Caloocan now!
