How high is your stress level during the holidays? The excessive traffic, the maniacs stabbing each other for the latest gaming consoles black Friday, the little kids crying out what they want Santa to bring them, the annoying clinging of the Salvation Army bells ringing and worst of all the soft weeping of your wallet. There’s so many people you have to buy for that you savor all your money to be sure you can get everything. Standing in lines at 6:30 at night on Thanksgiving for your black Friday sales is not the way you want to go. Who would want to skip out on pumpkin pie to be stuck in Target? The right way to go about your holiday spending is sales and coupons, second hand stores and even do it yourself products.
Sales and coupons are extremely vital to the Christmas shopping. Many stores have apps and articles in the newspaper that provide customers with coupons. Walmart’s app even has the feature on their app that if you scan your receipt after receiving it, it gives you’re a bit of money back. “I’ve been saving on the app for over a year. I’m using the money to buy some of the gifts for my kids,” Tracy Adams, mother of two high school student’s states. Sales are another huge hit on how to save money. Kohl’s started there black Friday sales on the 11th of November at midnight. Hot Topic also had their big 10-dollar tee shirt sale on November. There are many black Friday sales that happen on other days than that Friday.
Another great loop hole to help save money is second hand stores. Most people will stick their nose up at the thought of used items, however some of the best things can be found there. Shops such as Goodwill, and other used shops in the richer areas have really nice and slightly used clothing, furniture and even jewelry. “I have found name brand clothing like Ann Taylor with the tags still on it in Goodwill,” Tracy explains. There are also websites like threadup.com that sale slightly used clothing. As long as you wash before you give it away and make sure the item is in good condition so it is acceptable to give them.
The big thing that’s in currently is DIY (do it yourself.) Do it yourself activities are when you make something from scratch or use old materials to make something completely new. Pinterest is the home of DIY ideas. LCHS junior art student Emily Stinnett states, “I’m painting a decorative bottle for my mom in art class for Christmas,” Art projects like painted wine bottles or clay bowl or even just paintings are great presents with low cost and high sentimental value. Another thought is to go to thrift shops and pick up old pieces of furniture and refurnish them. A gift that was made from someone’s own two hands will mean so much more to the receiver of the gist then something that was bought.
One of the hardest parts of the holiday season is stretching your money. Money is hard to come by and easy to get rid of. Most families will do whatever they can to get through the holiday season and make sure their children are pleased on Christmas morning. With sales and coupons, the proper use of second hand stores and Do it yourself products Christmas shopping can be much more relaxing.