How to Save Money on Christmas Gifts
Buy Good, Cheap Xmas Gifts at Tag Sales, Fall Fairs,and Crafts Fairs
Oct 19, 2009
Christmas is always a time when people spend beyond their means. With so many out of work or hurting from the recession, finding money for Christmas gifts this year will be harder than ever.
The good news is that there are ways to save money on Christmas gifts without sacrificing on quality.
How to Save Money on Christmas Gifts
The obvious difference between shopping at the mall or shopping at a church tag sale, craft fair, or resale venue, is price. But that doesn't necessarily mean of lesser value. In fact, in some cases, value for the money may be much higher than if the same object were purchased retail. Here's why:
- For some "used" items, there is no evidence of pre-use. Examples include jewellery, dishes, art, or tapes or videos, or other items that don't depreciate over time.
- Some rare, vintage, or collectors' items may be found that, if sold through specialty shops, would be priced much higher.
- Not all items are "used." Some come in their original packaging, as cast-offs by someone who bought the wrong size or color, received something as an unwanted gift, had "buyer's remorse," or for some other reason.
- Crafts fairs offer unique, handmade gifts or supplies used in creating handmade gifts. Either way, crafts fairs offer a way to make gifts more "special" without incurring the same cost as in department stores.
Christmas Shopping: Benefits of Tag Sales or Crafts Fairs
The usual advice to Christmas shoppers is to make a list and stick to it. That's good advice when shopping in malls or stores. Swept up in the enticing store displays, impulse buying is more of a danger during the holidays. But see how the experience might be different when shopping at fall fairs or tag sales:
- Serendipity. Although gifts may sound good on paper, sometimes the "perfect gift" for someone presents itself in ways that are unmistakable. At a fair or church sale, that may be a far better buy-both for the savings it offers as well as its fit with the intended recipient.
- Tag Sales: Greater diversity of items in a single space. This is another plus, which allows you to browse for a number of gift ideas at once. Recently, a church sale at Christ Church in Tarrytown sold boutiques, furniture, toys and games for children, electronics, white elephants, leather goods, new designer socks, and a silent auction including vintage jewellery and comic books, a restored Folk Harmony guitar, a brand-new Tiffany card case, and fur coats.
- Crafts Fairs: Unique items that reflect the handiwork of artisans who benefit financially from sales. But that's not all: Their talent is also being rewarded. Who wouldn't prefer gifts that have a "story" rather than those sold in bulk at retail stores.
- Donations to charity. A "feel good" aspect of shopping at church sales, for example, is that a portion of the proceeds are often donated to other charities. This means the gift extends to more than just one person.
See this account of one happy shopper "Why I Love Church Garage Sales" to see what her experience was like.
Finding Local Fall Fairs, Craft Shows, and Craft Fairs, Tag Sales
This directory for fall fairs and crafts fairs across the U.S. is a way to get started. Local listings for fall fairs, thrift stores, church tag sales and other less expensive venues can also be found. Search by a particular state or region. Of course, it's a good idea to check with local community churches and libraries as well. Whatever the means, there are good opportunities between now and Christmas to find fairs and other events where one can browse for Christmas gifts.
Given the recession and high level of unemployment, many families will be spending less on Christmas this year. But that doesn't necessarily mean scrimping on quality. Take a morning or afternoon to browse at a fair or tag sale. You may find some unexpected surprises-practical gifts, unique gifts not found elsewhere, or gifts that you wouldn't have thought of. If so, they will cost less but not necessarily because they're worth less.
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