15 tips for buying holiday gifts on a budget

It's already December, but you can still start your shopping right now to catch pre-holiday clearance sales and other deals before the holiday starts. Next year, plan to start your holiday shopping as soon as possible — maybe even in January, when all the holiday goodies are on clearance. 

Black Friday can be a great day to shop on a budget, but you need to make a plan first. Check out all the deals in advance online, then make a plan for the shopping day with a list of the gifts you plan to buy, and stick to it. 

Whether you can spend $50 or $500 per person on your list, knowing your budget ahead of time is the best way to stick to it while you're shopping. Use the Notes app on your phone to track what you've spent, and when you hit that limit, stop shopping! 

Instead of buying gifts for everyone in your extended family and friend group, ask them to participate in a Secret Santa-style gift exchange. Everyone will still get a gift, but each person will only have to buy one, freeing up cash in your budget for other expenses this holiday season. 

If you're crafty, DIY gifts can be more special than something you buy in a store. If you're a great cook, make jam or vanilla extract in the kitchen. If you're great with knitting needles, make a cozy pair of socks. 

Okay, you probably shouldn't make re-gifting a common practice. Still, if you receive something nice that you really won't use, and you aren't able to return it, the occasional regift is both a sustainable and budget-friendly choice. Just make sure you're not giving it to someone who might know it's a re-gift. 

For folks who love funky and eclectic finds, your favorite thrift store or vintage shop is the perfect place to score a great gift. Look for vintage decor, antique jewelry, or vinyl records for a unique gift that won't break the bank. 

There's no shame in buying a multi-pack of hand cream or lip balm and splitting that up among the kids for stocking stuffers. Check Costco and other warehouse stores for bulk gift deals to save a little cash. 

The same logic goes for holiday gift sets, which you can split up among your gift recipients to get the most bang for your buck. 

During the holiday season, it's tough to avoid all those asks for toys and treats from your little ones while you're doing the shopping. If you can, leave your kids at home to streamline your shopping experience, and make sure that you're not spending on extra items days before the holidays begin. 

Instead of piling gifts under the tree, consider booking a budget-friendly family vacation as a gift this season. You can also peruse sites like Groupon for discounted entry to theme parks and other attractions because nothing makes for a better gift than a fun experience with the family. 

When you're shopping online, avoid paying for shipping whenever possible. Try to buy most of your gifts from one retailer to skip the fees, and sign up for e-mail alerts to score discount codes that can help you save major cash. 

Keeping receipts is a good practice for gift-giving, but it can also be helpful in the shopping process. If you're out and see a gift you've already bought for a cheaper price, you can return the original to save money. 

Costco, Sam's Club, and online retailers like CardCash offer discounts on gift cards to retailers that can add up if you've got a lot of gifts to buy. You can give the discounted gift cards as gifts themselves or use them to shop for the items on your family's wishlist. 

Most importantly, now is a great time to remember that the important part of the holiday season is spending time with family, not having a giant pile of gifts under the tree. Try not to stress over what you can't buy, and practice gratitude whenever you can.