Super Freak by Rick James

Brick House by the Commodores

Unglued by Stone Temple Pilots

Car Wash by Rose Royce

Get Down Tonight – KC and the Sunshine Band

You Should Be Dancing by Bee Gees

Rearviewmirror by Pearl Jam

** CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE ** Let’s start Christmas Shopping together… NOW!

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I’m always looking for ways to help us save money in a fun way.  One thing I used to do when my son was young was to buy Christmas gifts every month throughout the year so I would not be overwhelmed with shopping expenses in December.  I would buy 3 gifts per month, 2 gifts for my son and 1 gift for someone else.  When December came around, all my shopping was done except for whatever “big gifts” I had to pick up.  No stress! No breaking the bank!  It was awesome!

Here’s what I want you to do.  If you normally shop for lots of Christmas gifts, sit down and create a list of people you shop for.  Then decide about how many gifts you need to buy each month to help you toward that goal!

The fun part about this year-long shopping spree is that we get to look for sales that we might not get during Christmas time!  In fact, we should only pick up stuff that is on sale, or that we have coupons for, ’cause that’s what we do, right?

If you have leftover wrapping paper, wrap the gifts as you go but be sure you mark them because you will never remember who they are for or what’s inside! (been there, done that).  Also, keep track of where you stash the gifts so you don’t find them years later! (been there, done that).

There is nothing wrong with giving various holiday clearance items as Christmas gifts.  It’s fun (and funny) to get an Easter basket or a Halloween costume under the tree!  Also look for clearance wrapping paper and use whatever you have, no matter what the print is.  You can even use newspaper to wrap.

I think we will have fun with this and I’ve very curious as to how you feel in November when you have almost all your gifts purchased and wrapped.  You won’t even feel the pinch!

Each week I will post a Christmas Challenge Update to remind you to do your shopping and to give you a chance to leave a comment letting us know what treasures you found the previous week. I’m going to make you stick with this!

Optional Donation Christmas Challenge… if you want to also take part in the Donation Christmas Challenge, all you need to do is pick up one dollar store item per week to donate to kids in need when we get close to Christmas! And/or you can build a stockpile of non-perishables for a food donation.

Please leave a comment on this post letting us know if you want to be part of the Christmas Challenge! I’m keeping track of how many of us are doing it 🙂

 

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39 comments to ** CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE ** Let’s start Christmas Shopping together… NOW!

  • Belinda Pare

    I would love to try it!

  • Patty Garvin

    I have done this before but maybe not to the extent.
    Count me in!

  • Mandy

    I am in! We have 9 children, and our first grandson will be born (due date) April 4. Always looking for deals on toys, clothes, etc!

  • Teresa Ward

    I’m in….I tend to want to buy for everyone. This past year I cut back a little. And I try to start early in the year….this way the list is not so over whelming as we get closer to Christmas.

  • Sharon

    I have done this for years outside my own home, but this sounds even better. Can’t wait to get started. I’m definately in!! I think if I don’t find items I want in a month, I will put the money aside in an envelope for when I do find it on sale or with a coupon. Good Idea.

  • Erica R

    what an awesome idea now to stick with it!!!

  • Patricia N.

    I am so in. I used to have all my shopping done by Nov., but with grown kids, you never know what they want until the last minute. I usually do this for my siblings’ families.
    I remember one year when I couldn’t find a present I bought for the kids. It was a game system or something like that. I found it in the spring while on a cleaning spree. You should have seen the excitement in the house when we broke that one out.

    I already have all of the tins, baking boxes and cookie bags from Jan. and Feb. sales!

  • chickengirl

    I’m in! I do so well saving money during the year except for christmas. I go crazy and spend a ton of money. Thank you for the great idea Darlene!

  • This will be my first try at this , but I’m going to start with the baby things at Target this week. Hoping to get at least two things there that are on sale and I have coupons for. I have printed the coupons for the Norelco items but have not found a bargin yet to use them on.

  • April

    Already started with 2 gifts for inlaws in texas….bought a bunch of baking goodie boxes, cupcake wrappers, gift bags, paper,not sure how much i will get done the next month or so with my sons recovery but im in!

  • Sherry

    I’ve done this for the last 6 years and I love it I’m able to buy more and don’t have to worry about forking alot of money right up front my only downfall is at the end of November finding places to hide things so kids don’t find them

  • Meagan Baker

    I am totally in!!! I kind of do this anyways, but to have a plan will work a lot better for me. Thanks for the challenge