How do you set a birthdays xmases and other occasions budget?

[bubblyanne]

I’m struggling with the number of people I know, so I eventually decided on Christmas gift boxes for some people and Christmas large chocolate puddings for everyone else. I’m struggling a bit with birthdays and other occasions, however.

[Oliverlogan263]

Girl, I totally feel you on budgeting for gifts! It can definitely get overwhelming with so many friends and fam to shop for. Here are a few tips that have helped me:

- Make a list of everyone you want to exchange gifts with and upcoming occasions. Then set an overall budget you can afford to stick to.

- Decide on a dollar amount limit per person. Like $20-$30 max each for close friends and family, $10 for acquaintances. Stick to it!

- For birthdays, try putting together a basket of small treats and snacks they like. Add a card. Super easy and thoughtful.

- Consider doing experience gifts like tickets to an event, homemade coupons for a meal you'll cook, spa day packages youDIY.

- Hit up dollar stores, TJ Maxx - they have great cheap home goods and accessories people love.

- Reuse gift bags/boxes to cut costs. Or make personalized tags for store-bought treats.

Hope this gives you some ideas sis! Organizing it all takes stress away and keeps you from overspending at Target last minute haha.

[HelpfulWoman]

we got a lot of nieces and nephews. so the rule set for our family has always been "Buy for the children" (and my dad as he's the only one on my side of the family we speak to and such!). then basically a tenner that at this point has its own running joke of how its passed around each family adult member for their birthday.

[HelpfulWoman]

i also bargain hunt and keep to a strict limit of up to £10 per kid, and £20 for our own 2 boys (since they'll then get like (at least 10 sets of presents from the family too). so our Christmas for instance is £170 for the kids and then like up to £20 for my dad. so £190 in total. (this is also saved up over at least 3 months! and this month i've opened a Christmas saving account that adds in some "points" that converts to cash amounts when i shop at that specific store chain. not sure if that'll be gifts or for general food though yet. opened in feb and its got around £30 in it already which actually ain't too bad!)

[Nikki1989]

You skip all that nonsense. Problem solved.

You're welcome.