Frugal Holidays

Celebrate the Thrifty Way All Year Long

Holiday seasons throughout the year are times of celebration...and spending. But frugal holidays can still be fun holidays! Follow the tips below and visit the holiday pages listed for suggestions on keeping your holidays festive and affordable.

General Tips

• Buy decorations on clearance. Regardless of the holiday, decorations abound. And the day after a holiday is over, all of those decorations will go on sale. Buy holiday decorations on clearance and save them for next year.
• Buy gifts early. Not all holidays involve gift-giving, but many do. Christmas, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, for instance, all involve buying gifts. But keep in mind that the gifts do not have to reflect the holiday. All Valentine's Day gifts don't have to be red with a big heart on them! So, it's not necessary to buy gifts for that holiday just before the holiday's date, when prices are inflated. Buy gifts throughout the year, when you see something special for someone on sale, or at least when prices are normal and not bumped up for a special gift-buying season.
• DVR holiday specials. Almost every holiday has movies associated with it (Groundhog Day, Christmas Vacation, etc.). But most also have TV events associated with them (Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer claymation, The Great Pumpkin cartoon, etc.). Rather than spending money to rent holiday-themed movies, DVR the specials broadcast on TV and watch them at your convenience, for free.
• Share expenses. Whether it's going in together with a neighbor on Halloween candy or going potluck for a 4th of July barbecue, spread the expense around so the load is lighter on everyone. Not only does it ease costs, it also creates camaraderie as you work with others to bring together your holiday event/dinner/party.
• Focus on time together. Holidays should always be about spending time with your loved ones rather than decorations, activities and extras that so often cost money but don't bring you any closer to those you love. Focus less on throwing extravagant events and more on finding simple ways to spend time with your friends and family.

Valentine's Day is a wonderful opportunity to focus on the best part of life - love! But it's easy to get caught up in the advertising hype and turn it into just another spending spree. Visit my Valentine's Day Ideas page and discover how to keep your Valentine's Day passion high while keeping cost low.

Chicks and bunnies and eggs - oh my! Easter is a fun time to gather for egg hunts and a delicious meal with family and friends. Visit my Easter Ideas page for tips on how to keep this holiday festive while keeping your laughing wallet hoppy.

Halloween is a great time for creativity, fun and spending time with family and friends. But, like a vampire bat, opportunities to spend money come at you from every direction - from decorations to costumes, trick-or-treat candy and parties. Visit my Halloween Ideas page to learn how you can make the most of this fun holiday and still keep your wallet laughing instead of a screaming.

Thanksgiving is all about spending fun, quality time with family and friends - and eating like a king! But between travel, meals and decorations, you can find yourself less than thankful about the cost. Visit my Thanksgiving Ideas page to learn how to have a Turkey Day fit for a king on a pilgrim's budget.

Christmas is one the most popular holidays by far. It's filled with traditions and different ways to celebrate the season - decorations, cards, gifts, etc. But those opportunities to celebrate are also opportunities to spend, spend, spend. Read my Christmas Ideas for making the most of the season while keeping your money in your laughing wallet!

Valentine's Day

Easter

Halloween

Thanksgiving

Christmas

Jump from Frugal Holidays to the Laughing Wallet home page