3 Ways to Save Money This Holiday Season

I don't know about you, but I feel like my wallet opens the day after Thanksgiving and doesn't close until after New Year's. There's no doubt about it, this can be a very expensive time of the year.Besides the gifts, I find myself spending money on things like decorations, party food and clothes. It all adds up for sure.

My philosophy is to save where I can and spend when I have to. But with a little creativity, it's easier to save  on the "extras" of the season. Here are a few of my favorite ideas for saving money this holiday season:

Party Attire

Never underestimate the power and versatility of your LBD (little black dress).  For a girls lunch, pair it with tights, boots and a brightly colored scarf or cardi.  For a night out, add sheer stockings, black slingbacks and your best jewelry.  Office get-together? Try opaque hose and a structured jacket.  Your options are limitless, and no one will realize it's the same basic underneath. One dress - three parties!

Decorations

I love a live wreath on my big picture window.  But decorated wreaths can set you back $30 or more.  Trader Joe's has plain evergreen wreaths for  about $6.99. You can dress it up with some floral picks from the dollar-store, a few pine cones and a festive bow, keeping your grand total under $10.

Another easy way to save money on decoration is to use what you have.  Do you have green and red vases? A cluster of them can make a holiday-inspired vignette.  Tie a red or gold bow on a topiary to make them more Christmas-y. Pine cones in a bowl and cranberries in a glass vase can bump up your decor for pennies.

Gifts 

Try to shop sales whenever possible.  One year I scored monogrammed Lands End tote bags for $20 (it was a daily email sale) - they made great teacher's gifts and looked festive stuffed with bright tissue paper and tied with a tulle ribbon.  Or consider a $1 store mug filled with good chocolate.  Add a festive tag created by your child to finish it off.

With Pinterest at our disposal, it's easier than ever to get inspired. What's your favorite way to save money during the holiday season?

catch you soon -