10 Things I Quit Buying at Christmas to Save Money & Sanity

Christmas is a magical time of year. It’s the best time to bring out your family traditions and make memories that last a lifetime.

But, in the past, I also had a problem with it. It meant that…

December = endless to-dos
January = junky toys, mountains of clutter, less in the bank account for things that mattered more

I was generally relieved for it to be over.

But then I decided I was tired of feeling this way. What if, instead, I just stopped buying certain things? Could I decide to do Christmas my way?

It turns out the answer is yes!

So, today here are 10 things I’ve stopped buying at Christmas to save money and sanity. I hope they inspire you to do Christmas your way too!

how to save money at Christmas: stop buying these things

10 Things I Quit Buying at Christmas

And I’m not sorry!

1. Junky toy gifts for my kids

I developed a few rules around buying gifts for my kiddos.

No toys that they’ll only love for a short time
No junky plastic toys. And preferably no small pieces that will get lost in 5 seconds

Now, I get my kids gifts that promote outside activity, learning, or critical thinking.

2. Greeting Cards

I still splurge on a few family Christmas cards each year. But I’ve stopped buying additional greeting cards around the holidays.

Instead of buying lots of cards these days, I have the kids make one. I write a heartfelt note on festive Christmas paper if they’re not around.

3. Novelty Christmas shirts

It’s pretty impractical to buy a shirt you only remember to wear once a year.

Now, that being said, I have two Christmas shirts that I adore. But that’s plenty and I don’t need to buy more.

4. Cheap stocking stuffers

I no longer buy low-quality stuff just to fill up space in a stocking. Instead, I stick to practical items and usually one fun gift card or item.

Things like:

Chapstick
Toothbrush stuff
Food items like fruit snacks
Coloring or writing supplies
Socks
Winter hats and gloves
Gum or mints

5. Christmas Presents for Everyone

Cutting down on gifts was my biggest concern when I first simplified Christmas. I didn’t want to buy fewer gifts while looking like a Scrooge. Yet, I found that every time I said something, most people were happy that I did.

Instead of buying for everyone, we now…

draw names
do gift exchanges
give experience gifts

Gift-giving is still an important piece to the holiday. It just doesn’t have to be for everyone you know.

6. Tons of holiday decorations

I’d rather decorate my home with a few staple holiday pieces that last a long time. So, over-the-top decor no longer makes its way into my home.

7. Pre-made gift baskets

family gift basket ideas, things I stopped buying at Christmas

Pre-made gift baskets cost a fortune and often have low-quality things in them. All you have to do is search Pinterest or grab family gift basket ideas online to make a cool, unique gift for anyone.

8. Artificial holiday scents

Confession: I still have holiday-scented candles and soaps from 5 years ago.

And that’s why I stopped buying them. The odds of remembering to dig them out at holiday time are slim. At this point, I’d prefer having the space in my home instead.

The same goes for specialized kitchen gadgets (like hot chocolate makers or Christmas-themed cookie presses) that rarely get used after the holidays.

9. Expensive wrapping paper

I think using fancy paper that gets torn up and discarded right away is ridiculous.

Instead, I pick up regular wrapping paper the day after Christmas and save it for the following year. It’s half the price and I don’t have to scramble when I need it.

10. Gingerbread Houses

I also believe buying a pre-made gingerbread house takes away the act of being creative.

So, I buy a box of graham crackers, frosting, and use up our leftover Halloween candy to do this! It’s cheap and my kids love it!

What have you stopped buying at Christmas (and you’re not sorry!)

best tips for saving money at Christmas, holiday budget for a frugal xmas

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10 Things I Quit Buying at Christmas to Save Money & Sanity