Creative Holiday Savings | Savings

by AlexandraVrugt

Nobody wants to be a scrooge or grinch during the holiday season. But, with prices constantly soaring during this economy crisis, it seems like there are not a lot of opportunities to buy for cheap anymore. Well, take heart in knowing that despite the economic climate, holiday shoppers can still find deals by using a little bit of creativity and by being resourceful. Here's where to look for the best places and ways to give and still save during this holiday season:

Give an altruistic gift! Instead of giving directly to those that you love, consider giving to others on behalf of the people that you care about. Donate to their favorite charities instead of spending large sums of money on expensive gifts. Because your donation is private, you don't have worry about sharing the exact amount with them; just simply get some type of statement or letter from the charity acknowledging the donation. By doing this, you will not only let your loved ones know that you care about what they have a passion for, but that you also want to share the joy of the season with others. If you don't have any cash to spend, donate your time! Make a commitment to volunteer in lieu of a financial donation. Many organizations will appreciate that even more!!

Thrift stores have perfect buys! Your local thrift store could be a real treasure chest for finding a wonderful gift that you can buy for cheap. Not only can you find brand new items there, you can also find slightly used high-end pieces that your loved one will love also. It's not how much you spend that matters for most people. Simply knowing that you cared enough to give them a small token of your love during the holidays is enough. Plus, during an economy crisis such as this, just being willing to still give speaks volumes!

Canvass garage sales, yard sales, and holiday bazaars. Many non-profit organizations have an annual holiday bazaar where you can find lots of handmade crafts, specialty foods and goods, and deals, deals, deals! Of course, garage sales and yard sales are always great at the end of the year because people are making room for their new stuff. So, they are more apt to work out great prices to unload as much as possible.

Take advantage of dollar store deals. During this economy crisis, you have to get as much as you can for your dollar. So, why not make a nice gift package or basket using items that you find at your local dollar store. From toys to soup and nuts, it's all at the dollar store and all perfect when assembled for a special holiday treat. Not only will you be able to get quite a few items that the person will like, but you can also save in the process. For $10 you could create a fabulous basket. That same basket could potentially cost upwards of $30 in a retail store!

This holiday season could offer you a saving good time if you do a little research, take advantage of all of the sales, and look for deals outside of regular retail outlets. Remember that if you are happy as you give your gifts, your recipients will see that and will enjoy receiving them too!

DISCLAIMER: This article is provided as information only and is not to be taken as financial advice.

As a recognized connoisseur on saving money in daily life, Alexandra Vrugt has written many articles on how to manage on less. You can get a free copy of her Ebook '15 Top Ways to Save Money' by visiting her MakeEndsMeetOnline.com site. This and other unique content 'holidays' articles are available with free reprint rights.