by Emily Hechler 
It’s almost the holidays. I’ve been seeing Christmas decorations at my Hobby Lobby in St. Charles for months already and if feel like this season comes faster every year – something I actually enjoy. I love the thrill of the holiday season especially since I’ve figured out how to shop for the holidays stress-free. Over time, I’ve picked up tips on shopping early, budgeting wisely, and finding fun seasonal activities to share with friends and family. Check out this guide to keeping your holiday shopping stress-free this year.
Early Holiday Shopping Perks
With so much to do around the end of the year, get ahead with your holiday shopping. By starting early, you can take advantage of sales, avoid delays, and more. Check out these perks for starting your holiday shopping early.
Find early sales. There’s no time like the present to start your holiday shopping. Many stores tease early Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales starting in early November. Plus, this year, Amazon kicked off Prime Big Deal Days in October. These early sales can save you money on purchases you planned on making later anyway. That’s less shopping you’ll have to do later too.
Avoid delays. Retail employers often hire seasonal employees to try to keep up with the demand of holiday shoppers. Get ahead of the demand when you shop early. Shopping early can result in less lines in the store or earlier delivery dates for orders placed online. Several stores offer online ordering with free in-store pickup. This can help you save on shipping costs too.
Spread out your spending. Although budgeting has many benefits, many people often under budget how much they spend on gift giving during the holidays. This can result in entire paychecks being spent on gifts that you needed for paying your bills. If you start your shopping early, you can help avoid this potentially scary situation. Your purchases will slowly be deducted from your checking account instead of most of it coming out over the span of a few days.
Use the right payment method. With The Better Way to Bank by your side, you can ease the stress of holiday shopping with an account that works for you. With a TailorMade Rewards Checking account, you can earn cash back each month and a higher interest rate on your entire balance. If you prefer to pay with a credit card, using our Signature Rewards Visa will earn your reward points as you shop. Plus, new users can take advantage of a lower introductory rate on balance transfers.
Keeping Your Seasonal Stress Low
Even if you begin shopping early, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the number of gifts you need to buy of the total amount of money you’re spending. A great way to help eliminate some stress is to track your holiday spending. By keeping track of your holiday spending, you’ll know how much you are really spending, how much you have left to spend, and better prepare your budget for next year. Here are some helpful ways to track your spending during the holidays and keep your expenses in check.
Make a list and check it twice. Start by writing down everyone you need to shop for and how much you have to spend on each person. As you purchase gifts, check them off to ensure that you don’t double up on gifts or forget anyone. Consider using an app like Mint to help track your spending. You can also keep an eye on your account balance with online or mobile banking at Alltru to avoid overspending. If your budget is tight this year, gifting homemade Christmas goodies can be a cost-effective way to spread holiday cheer.
Shop smart. Starting your holiday shopping early is a great way to make sure you purchase all your gifts in time without being in a rush. By spreading out your spending, you can make the impact on your bank account easier to manage. If your holiday get-togethers aren’t until after Christmas, you can postpone your shopping to snag some post-Christmas deals. You can also save hundreds through sales before and after Christmas by shopping at the St. Louis Premium Outlets. This outdoor mall has over 100 stores to suit the needs of someone on your list who likes Nike, Coach, Go! Calendars & Games, and Very Bradley.
Entertain on a budget. The magic of the season doesn’t have to be expensive. If you’re hosting guests, do it the old-fashioned way by having everyone bring a side dish. That’s less cooking and money for you to spend. If you’re preparing food for a lot of people, you can grocery shop in bulk at Sam’s or Costco to save money. You can decorate your home to look festive with budget-friendly ideas like paper snowflakes, homemade garlands, and ornaments hand-crafted by the kids.
Budget for your traveling expenses. Many have family members who live out of town, so traveling during the holidays is a must. Since you know the trip is coming, save some money throughout the year to make less of an impact on your finances when you start making your pre-trip purchases. By budgeting for your trip, you can anticipate how much you’ll spend on traveling expenses too. Some expenses are more obvious, such as plane tickets or gas prices. Don’t forget about tolls, baggage fees, parking costs, and hotel stays!
Reducing Shopping Chaos
Maybe you read through that list and feel overwhelmed after reading just the first method. Creating a list? No thanks! As simple as it sounds, creating a list of everyone you need to shop for and how much money you have to spend on each of them takes some work. In hindsight, you might feel great about the thoughtful gifts you gave everyone until you see your credit card bill. Follow these tips for reducing shopping stress so you don’t experience post-shopping blues.
Following your holiday shopping budget to a tee might be intimidating in the moment, but you’ll feel successful when you stick to it. If you need help, don’t hesitate to ask a trusted family member or friend for help creating your budget. You could even take them shopping with you to make shopping more fun and also to help hold you accountable. Following a budget is not a skill my husband has, so we do most of our Christmas shopping together.
Take advantage of free shipping. When I created my holiday budget this year, I definitely didn’t factor in the cost of shipping. This left me with either reducing the amount I had to spend on gifts so I didn’t go over budget, or going way over my budget by paying for shipping. Keep an eye out for free shipping deals. Many of us have Amazon Prime, which gets us free two-day shipping. It’s so convenient and cost effective. Several stores offer free shipping if you hit a certain threshold too. Many retailers in the area offer free shipping to a store. Just don’t impulse buy while you’re there!
Handmake gifts this year. For those who enjoy arts and crafts or baking, handmaking a gift is a thoughtful way to spread holiday cheer. Pinterest is full of ideas and tutorials of gift ideas. These may take some time to complete, but it’s time you get to spend indoors next to a cup of hot chocolate instead of stuck in traffic during a snowstorm.
Bank with Alltru. With an Alltru Signature Rewards Visa, you can earn points year-round on your everyday purchases. If you wait to redeem your points until the end of the year, you’ll have extra funds to cover the costs of your holiday expenses. Another way to save year-round for the holidays is to open a Holiday Savings account. You can set up regular automatic deposits or transfers to slowly fund your account January through October. In mid-October, the funds in this account automatically transfer to your Alltru Checking account. This can help reduce the stress of how expensive the holidays can be.
Budget-Friendly Holiday Activities
If shopping isn’t for you and you’d rather gift memorable experiences, St. Louis is the place to be. Whether you’re looking for classic favorites or exciting new activities, there’s something for everyone this year. And if you want to combine a gift with a fun outing, that works too! Here are some of our favorite activities to enjoy around St. Louis this season.
Jingle at CarShield Field is new to the St. Louis area this year. The event will feature a beautiful display of holiday lights and decorations, creating a cheerful atmosphere for all attendees. Guests can enjoy live music, local food vendors, and various seasonal activities, such as ice skating and holiday crafts. There will also be opportunities for families to meet Santa Claus and take memorable photos. Tickets are expected to sellout quickly.
Grant’s Farm hosts Holiday Lights every year that you can walk or drive through at designated times during the season. Tickets for the drive through are $30 for a car with up to 7 people inside. Plus, you can turn on the radio and watch the synchronized lights flash to the music as you pass the animals, Santa and Mrs. Claus, and a 50-foot-tall Christmas tree.
If you prefer a night catered more toward adults, check out the Brewery Lights at Anheuser-Busch Brewery. Those 21 and older get a free beer with their ticket. Self-guided tours, a VIP firepit experience, and the famous Budweiser Clydesdales make your night memorable. Keep an eye out for when tickets go on sale in October.
If you’re looking for a cozy night in, host a holiday movie marathon. TV channels tend to play classics during this season, and your favorites can be found on streaming services you likely already have. Add some more fun to your night while snacking on peppermint treats in your decorated home. If you’re hosting this night as a gift, snag some holiday pajamas for everyone.
Conclusion
With the holidays on the mind, I’m ready to begin my shopping. You can be too! Shopping during the holidays can be stress-free when you know the right moves to make with your money. By starting early, you can minimize the impact on your bank account and snag some great deals too. Keeping track of your spending will help reduce the stress that comes with the busy season. Make sure to take advantage of the tips we’ve shared to make for a better shopping experience. And remember to enjoy the holiday season with fun activities that can double as thoughtful gifts! Happy shopping!
