What are your best tips for frugal Christmas shopping?

I will start off the list:

1) Shop sales all year long

2) Look in non-traditional places for good deals

3) Buy a few things each payday.

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~Happiness is a large family~

i agree with all of happy moms i would add

1. make a list and stick to it.
2. lower your expectations
3. remember its the thought not how much you spent.

here are mine:
1. use your skills/ hobbies to give homemade gifts. If you sew make ragdolls, stuffed animals, a car organizer or a potporrie filled potholder. If you stamp give a pack of homemade giftcards and envelopes. If you paint make a small painting, paint a vase or even a bookmark. If you bake make quickbreads, pies, muffins,etc.
2. Break up giftsets and re-wrap individually to give to several people
3. Look at thriftshops with a creative eye. For example I found a book on creative nail painting for $2.00 for my 6 year old. I will add a few mini nail polishes and she will have a lovely gift.

For me, it's keeping my list of things I've already purchased. That way, I can see right away, that I already have XYZ for one person and don't need anything else or that I don't have anything for my BIL etc

with all the above.

Look at all of the ads you get you never know when you will find the right item at the back of someone's flier.

Teach your children how to make something to give as a gift. Teachers, Aunts, Grandparents all would like something your child made. It will also give you time to spend with your child.

If you find someone who has "everything" offer a day to spend with them doing what they want to do.

Remember to keep the Christmas in Christmas!!

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Stephanie

with everyone's ideas already posted. I shop throughout the year and buy when I find something on sale. I shop at Kohls when they have buy 1 get 1 free. I also find good deals in Tuesday Morning and TJ Maxx on toys. When you are at Half Price Books and the price tag is in the upper corner and has a barcode on it as well, then that is a new book (not a used one traded in).

I have been doing almost all of what all of you have said. Sometimes I give a gift that looks very expensive but only cost me $8-10. The thrill of the bargin hunt is what I always say. LOL I personally draw the line at giving used items as gifts though... like from thrift stores ect. unless it is brand new never opened, still in original packaging type thing.

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!!!

First...cut down your list!! Spend time, not money, with your loved ones. We give to our kids and our niece....THAT"S IT!