5 Tips On How To Money Save On Christmas Shopping for Kids

I am not going to claim to be a professional shopper; I am however an avid shopper.
Ever since I was a little girl I have loved to shop and buy presents for people. It's my love language definitely.

For the past five years I have taken my love of Christmas shopping and expanded from buying by own gifts to buying gifts for others. Mostly family members but some friends as well.

In the past five years I have tried to research how to save money on Christmas shopping and never have I ever come up with a good blog or good articles. They all give generic tips that I have figured out for myself. No one tells when the best time to buy each item is.

So, I am going to start offering some of the in-depth information I have learned. I hope in doing so I will help others save money and find kindred spirits that can offer even better tips that I, too can use.

5 Tips On How to Save Money On Christmas Shopping for Kids

1. Shop Early For Basics 

Most people like to wait until last minute to shop, but that can cost you in the end. There are some things you should wait for but when it comes to basics start early.
By basics, I mean items (clothes) that will be in style year after year. For example, black yoga pants - plain black yoga pants come out every year from Old Navy.
Buying the end of the season black yoga pants at Old Navy in January or February in a size up for $4-6 will save you on average $4 a pair. This isn't a major gift, but it's a complimentary gift. You can spend $4 on a pair of pants and then get them next seasons sweat shirt (on sale) and give them a relatively inexpensive outfit.

This isn't something that you can do only for Christmas but for clothe buying for your children in general. Plain colored t-shirts, jeans, play clothes etc. any basic item that's really only an accent piece for your child's outfit you should buy when the season is over in the next size up.

2. Shop Frequently 

This tip will tie in with tip #3. By shopping frequently, not necessarily buying every time you shop, you're becoming aware of the items offered and their starting prices. You can see when they hit the market and better determine if you're getting a good deal.

For example, Christmas pajamas from most stores (not including the Children's Place) start coming out in October. Usually mid to late October. The week of Halloween more winter pajamas are launched and more long sleeve shirts are launched as well.
Shopping frequently doesn't only allow you to know when clothes are launched but it allows you to catch deals you would otherwise miss.

Checking websites for items you want on a regular basis will help you monitor prices and allow you to decide when the right time is to buy.

Also, when you're like me and have the research done you'll know when the right time to look for the items you want is and won't waste time looking before anything is launched.

3. Know Your Stores 

I cannot stress this point enough. It is SO important that you know your stores. Every store comes out with weekly deals and their BUY IT NOW pricing! They shove it down your face and people react impulsively buying items because they don't realize better deals will be coming.
Monitor the stores, they're pretty cyclical, and every year around the same times their sales come out. You can learn what the best sale is and when it's coming.
I'll dive into specific stores in my next blog, to give more helpful information.

4. Coupons

We live in a day with so many coupon APPS and websites that really we shouldn't be buying anything without a coupon or some sort of discounts. It's as easy as going to Google and searching coupons or downloading apps like Retail Me Not on your smart phone. Use coupons.

5. Backup Email Accounts

I will confess, I do have a backup email account that I use to sign up for store promotions after I've used my regular email account. Thankfully, I have my regular email account, icloud email, work email and back up email, so I'm covered for 4 years when it comes to getting to additional 10-20% off deals for registering. Just create an account it's not hard and it saves money in the end.

If you have more tips you would like to share please comment below!
Be on the look out for the next blog on Knowing Your Stores & learn how that can save you money on Christmas shopping!