7 last-minute Christmas shopping tips

BY: LAURIE PK

Even if it’s at the last minute, it’s not too late to put these Christmas shopping tips to work! Here, “The Money Couple” offers seven ways to get your holiday gift list under control without spending a whole boatload of money.

“We find that regardless of a couples’ income, holiday spending can quickly become a battlefield,” say Scott and Bethany Palmer, authors of First Comes Love, Then Comes Money: A Couple’s Guide to Financial Communication. “One of you spends too much, one of you spends too little. Someone splurges when they should have skimped; someone saves when they should have shopped.”

To avoid this financial minefield, check out their, seven last minute Christmas shopping tips for couples…

1. Talk about Christmas shopping and spending limits before you go to the mall. Don’t wait until you’re on your way to the mall to talk about how much you can spend. Take an afternoon or an evening to talk about how much money you can afford to spend this year. Know what you can spend, and plan accordingly. The same goes if you’re doing your Christmas shopping online!

2. Cut your Christmas gift list. Take an honest look at your gift list. How many of those gifts do you buy out of obligation? If you’ve got a limited budget for gifts, don’t feel like you have to go all out on co-workers or distant relatives. Are there people who would be just as happy with a card or a homemade treat? Remember, it really is the thought that counts.

3. Set a dollar limit for each Christmas gift. Again, do this at home, with a realistic picture of your finances in front of you. Do some research to find the best deals before you hit the stores.

4. Share the Christmas shopping. If one person has to find all the gifts on your list, he or she is bound to get tired. And that’s when overspending can cut through all your good intentions. A smart Christmas money saving tip is to divvy up your gift list or make a date out of finding meaningful presents for the people you love.

5. Get creative with your Christmas gift shopping. If you have a big family, consider a few group gifts. Maybe you and your siblings can pitch in on one great present for your parents or all the cousins can contribute to a special holiday gift for Grandma and Grandpa. Draw names so each person only needs to buy one gift. Decide to give only handmade gifts.

6. Give a cow for Christmas. Consider a charitable donation to an organisation such as World Vision where you can purchase a cow, a goat, school supplies, vegetable seeds, or other goods that will change the life of a poor family. There are also other enormous charity organisations and homes you can visit to give your donation, and bless a disadvantaged person with a wonderful Christmas.

7. Check in with each other as a couple. Plan on one or two conversations a week to make sure you’re staying on track with your Christmas spending. Make adjustments as needed. With a little planning and plenty of clear financial communication, you can make sure that the only surprises this season are under your tree!