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19 Different Ways To Afford Christmas Gifts On A Broke College Student Budget

You're already a year too late at getting started!

Ashley Lytle

Dec 19, 2018

Bowling Green State University

435

19 Different Ways To Afford Christmas Gifts On A Broke College Student Budget

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When I buy Christmas gifts I start a year before and sometimes even earlier. That's right, I already have gifts for Christmas 2019. Starting this early allows me to hit all the sales, spend money over time so I don't feel so broke, and find the best quality gifts for those I care about. If I find multiple gifts I love for someone I don't have to worry about overbuying for them because I can just give it to them the next Christmas.

Here are 19 ways I buy quality, thoughtful gifts on a broke college student budget:

1. The after Christmas sales!

One of the main reasons to buy Christmas gifts so early is to take advantage of all those sales welcoming you into the new year!

2. Black Friday

As hectic as it can be out there it still is a prime opportunity to fin some quality gifts at a fraction of their normal price. I usually hit up Walmart and Target for their epic movie sales. I also usually check out what sales Amazon is offering.

3. Cyber Monday

Mega sales are with us 24/7 on Cyber Monday. All you need is a laptop or smartphone and probably a game plan. I usually check out all my favorite stores but mostly I shop Amazon.

4. I look for yearly sales in all my favorite stores

Since you aren't confining yourself to a specific time of year to do your shopping, you have the option of taking advantage of any sale, at any time during the year.

5. Amazon

Amazon is one of my favorite shopping destinations for my broke college student budget. It has special deals and sales all year round, plus it has an abundance of not expensive products to shop from.

6. I save my credit card points for gift shopping

My credit card rewards goes to gift shopping. This lets me save my money for my bills.

7. Coupons are life

Don't overlook coupons. It might sometimes take more time and preparation to look for coupons but it let's you have the gift budget your friends and family deserve.

8. If coupons are life, so are student discounts

We only get student discounts for a limited time in our life, so now's your chance to profit on what's sending us all into debt.

9. Buy in bulk!

I've definitely bought a larger quantity of an item to give to multiple people in an effort to give quality gifts on my tiny budget. For example, one year I bought a pack of six nice quality socks. I then made six little care packages that included one pair of the socks as Christmas gifts for different people.

10. Price match

Now this is something we should all do every time we shop. A lot of stores will price match their own website or competitor prices. It can definitely be worth the couple minutes it takes to check their price online before hitting up the register. I once saved $40 by price matching online prices for the stores own website!

11. Cut yourself some slack!

Everyone knows we aren't rich. We're college students and what matters most to the ones we care about is the thought.

12. Create a budget for yourself

I usually make a list of everyone I want to buy for and set a price budget. I'll also use the list to keep track of what I buy, how much I actually spend, and a place to brainstorm ideas. Making a budget allows you to approach your holiday shopping strategically instead of accidentally spending all your money before you get a chance to buy everyone a gift. My budget changes throughout the year as my financial situation fluctuates.

13. Be creative!

I love Pinterest! And for those of you who saw "be creative" and thought "I'm out," I recommend looking on there. There are so many ways to get creative with your gift giving. I've definitely made flower pens and wreaths as gifts before.

14. Team up with someone

Maybe a sibling, a cousin, or your significant other. Teaming up on buying a gift allows you to share the cost, possibly saving you money or simply allowing you to gift something more expensive then what you could afford on your own.

15. Buy used or refurbished products

Often, if the gift comes a reputable company or seller the used or refurbished item is as good as new but is a whole lot cheaper.

16. Facebook Marketplace and Garage Sale Pages

Continuing the buying used conversation, I love shopping on Facebook marketplace or on my community's Facebook garage sale page.

17. White Elephants

Let's be real, you don't always see something you want at the white elephant you participate in. But, maybe instead you see something you know someone else would love. You put the money and/or energy in to participate so if you walk out with the perfect gift for someone close to you, I'd call it a win.

18. Don't feel obligated to buy for everyone

Just because you know the person doesn't mean you have to buy them a gift. Not only is that unrealistic in terms of your budget but it'll be harder to know what to get them if you don't really know them. Figure out who you want to buy a gift for and then go from there. Gifts shouldn't be an obligation.

19. It's the thought that counts

Christmas is not about how much money you spend. The person you're gifting will just be appreciative you thought enough about them to get them something. And if they don't, then they're really not worth keeping in your life.

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19 Different Ways To Afford Christmas Gifts On A Broke College Student Budget

You're already a year too late at getting started!

1. The after Christmas sales!

2. Black Friday

3. Cyber Monday

4. I look for yearly sales in all my favorite stores

5. Amazon

6. I save my credit card points for gift shopping

7. Coupons are life

8. If coupons are life, so are student discounts

9. Buy in bulk!

10. Price match

11. Cut yourself some slack!

12. Create a budget for yourself

13. Be creative!

14. Team up with someone

15. Buy used or refurbished products

16. Facebook Marketplace and Garage Sale Pages

17. White Elephants

18. Don't feel obligated to buy for everyone

19. It's the thought that counts

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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