Tips for Saving Money on Gifts: Take advantage of large family purchases

The last stop on our Tips-For-Saving-Money-on-Christmas-Gifts Train is an obvious, but oft neglected one.  It can seem daunting to have to spend hundreds of dollars investing it items that your whole family needs, only to feel pressure to provide a lavish individual Christmas morning haul as well.  So, don't.  Position larger family purchases as individual Christmas gifts, as well.

For example, Audrey had a brief conversation with Santa who said it was ok for her and Joe to pick out the appropriate bunk bed set for her two oldest boys.  When the beds arrive, it will positioned as Santa Claus relying on commercial manufacturers to send the beds, rather than the elves.

I remember when I was in sixth grade, our family purchased its very first home computer.  We each got a couple small gifts to go with it, but the computer was by far the main gift for everyone.

Try this trick with other electronics such as mp3 players, a wii, an e-reader or anything else that will be used by the whole family.  Is your family going on vacation or even spring break?  Wrap up pictures of a beach to remind them of the fun that is yet to come.


In cased you missed it:

• Shop around your house first
• Think outside the gift box
• Temper your gift-giving