How To Save Money When Buying Christmas Presents

Welcome to a new post!

Today is all about spending less and saving some money during the beautiful, festive season that is Christmas. A lot of people worry about where they are going to get the money from, how much they have to spend on who and on how many people, how expensive everything is when you go Christmas shopping etc. I somehow got the idea for this post at some point in the middle of the night, so this is what we're doing today, we are going to help us all spend less money and even save some even when the spendy time of the year is just around the corner, a wink of an eye away. If you have any other tips, definitely make sure to leave them below, to help some friends out! 😊

Listen closely, plan early

This is probably one of my favourite tips, which has actually helped me a lot throughout the past few years. Get yourself a notebook, or a section in your notebook that is completely dedicated to presents. This section will include empty boxes for each person you need a gift for, and for each occasion, where you can write down all the ideas that you get. The best way to get many ideas, is to listen closely whenever those people are mentioning anything they would like throughout the whole year, not just close to Christmas. Write anything down immediately, before you forget it. Not only will it save you a lot of worrying and struggling to find a nice present, but it will also make the person happier because you will probably give them something they didn't expect, and they know how much thought you have put into this (at least I hope that's the case..). Keep in mind the things that that person really enjoys and likes, as well as the things that he/she hates. It's a great way to save some time, keep track of your ideas and know exactly what you can get that person when it's time to go shopping or order online!

Save money throughout the year

If you generally want to start planning early for Christmas presents and the money you spend on them, try putting aside some money each month throughout the whole year which will be dedicated to presents. And if you still have got some left after Christmas, because you were able to save a lot by using some of these tips, you could either put that towards next year's present budget or you could treat yourself to something.

Budget

Set yourself a certain budget and stick to it. Decide how much money you want to spend on each person and don't go over that. If you aren't sure about what budget to set for someone, talk to them and decide together how much you are going to spend on each other. Tell them that you want to save some money, and decide for a budget that will fit both of your wallets.

Share

This is something you can easily do if you have siblings that also need presents for your parents, or if you have friends that also need presents for someone that is also your friend. Team up with them and buy something together. You will get to throw more ideas in the pot and all save a little money by buying something as a group or a team.

Make lists

This also counts as planning, but I personally think lists really are the best thing to keep track and remind yourself, especially when you are like me and you easily forget things. Make lists of who you need a present for, for what occasion - is it only for Christmas or do you also need a birthday present because their birthday is close to Christmas? - how much do you want to spend on who, what ideas have you got, what do you need to get etc. Write everything down in one place, it will make it a lot easier, or at least, that's what I think it does.

Buy early

Prices usually rise the closer it gets to Christmas, so try and buy as early as possible. It is also a huge stress relief because not everyone is out at the same time to buy these presents. But to be honest, I wouldn't blame you if you wouldn't follow this tip, because I honestly prefer doing it as soon as the Christmas market has started, because that's when I fully get into the mood and feel a lot more energized to run around shops to buy presents.

DIY's and personal presents

This part is probably also one of the most fun ones, at least if you are a creative kind of person. Pinterest is your best friend if you are looking for DIY and personal presents. You can find something for everyone on here, something everyone can easily make themselves. There are so many amazing ideas out there I've got no idea who I am going to gift all of these amazing ideas to that are sitting on my Pinterest board. Personalized presents also often have a much deeper meaning to them, and they mean a lot more, even if they cost a lot less, which is a great way to save some money but still give a really nice presents. It shows that you have put not only thought but also time in making this present.
That doesn't mean you have to gift everyone a picture of yourself and them, or a photo album, but if you are a painter for example, why don't you paint them something? It's just an example though. I will leave my Pinterest board with all of the amazing ideas that I have found HERE, for those of you that want to get a better look at it.  

Do I really need this?

That's a really important question to ask yourself if you want to save some money, even more so around this time of the year when you are planning on having to spend even more money. Everything you want to buy, ask yourself whether you really need to get that. Do you really need that expensive make-up calendar for 50€, or could you also just go with a plain and inexpensive chocolate one from the supermarket? Remember that you could always put stuff like a new lipstick or a new pair of shoes onto your wishlist instead, you don't need to buy everything yourself.
And if you don't end up getting that, then you can still buy it after Christmas when you might have gotten a little more money, or you still have some left that you saved or put aside.

This question of whether you actually need it, also counts for everything that you get to wrap, decorate and put along with the presents, like wrapping paper, ties, sweets etc. Instead of getting a wrapping paper each for boys, for girls, for man, for woman, for grandma, for grandpa and who else, get a unisex one that will suit all. That way you will get a lot more for less money.

Save the little coins

You know that annoying little money that are pieces of one, two or five cents for example that no one ever seems to use or need? Get yourself a jar or something similar and collect them in there, once the jar is full, take it to the bank and let them put it on your bank account. Saving these little pieces of money instead of letting them get lost in your room, is a great way to at least save little money.

Check dollar stores

I don't even know what's the actual definition of these stores, but stores that sell stuff for very little money are better for presents than some of you might think. I never used to go in there a lot, only when I had to, but honestly, now I love them and I go in there quite a lot. Obviously the quality isn't always as amazing, but there's a lot of awesome stuff in there, whether you are doing a DIY or not. There's a lot of stuff where, if you wouldn't know it better, you would never see that it was less than 2€, for example.

Enter giveaways

Yes, the chances of winning might not be that high all the time, but the more ones you take part in, the better your chances are getting that one day you will actually win something. Don't only take part in giveaways for yourself, but also in giveaways that include stuff a person you need a present for might like. That way, if you are lucky and you actually win, you don't need to spend money on another present but give them something they really want and you won instead.

Ebay/Depop...

These websites are an opportunity both to save money and find presents. You could sell stuff that you no longer need and that is flying around but never used, and by that gain some money. Especially around Christmas time a lot of people check these platforms for cheaper alternatives to original and new products. This is also something you can do, have a look on these websites for presents yourself. You don't need to get a new John Green book for full price on Amazon or in the book store, get it on eBay instead for a lot less money, sometimes even without ever being read.

Check prices

This also leads me to the next point - checking prices. Check several websites, stores etc before you get anything. That's a really good way to save some money when the thing you want to get it is a little more expensive. Check eBay, check dollar stores, check amazon, check etsy and everything else before you end up annoyed because you just spend a lot more on that DVD than necessary.

Vouchers and Discount Codes

Last but not least, vouchers and discount codes are another amazing way to save some money when you are Christmas shopping. Some stores have lay them out in stores, others you can find on their websites, on their Social Media or in their newsletter for example, there are even apps out there that are all focused on this.

I really hope that was helpful in the slightest. Before you leave, tell me your favourite thing about Christmas, and if you have any other ideas to give better presents and save some money, make sure to let all of us know down below! :)

Have a beautiful day 💖

Love, Jacqueline Xx

Redecorating Your Room In 7 Steps

 Welcome to new post!

Whilst I am kind of on a little study break till May; since there aren't any exams at the minute, I have really been into redecorating my room. I've been wanting to do that for like 2 years now I guess, but never actually did it. We've changed my furniture over the past few years though, so gladly, that was nothing I had to worry about as I had already chosen much mature and grown-up pieces and colours. 

It's still pretty IKEA based (not the typical German blogger girl IKEA room, but still a lot of IKEA), and if I could I would pick maybe a different layout and design for the shelves, but to be honest, I don't have that much money and if I did that I wouldn't like it either after a few months, since I get bored of my room quite easily. I just love a change. 

My room definetely isn't screaming 'INTERIOR DESIGN GENIUS', but I have always loved redecorating and moving my room around, and I spend hours and hours and hours looking for inspiration. I can already hear my purse screaming on the day I will decide to move out. 

However, though it has taken me so long to actually do something, I have come up with quite a little list or routine of things to think of and do when redecorating a room. I thought I'd share that with you, and maybe I am able to help at least a few of you that are a bit bored of their room as well.

1) Brainstorm

To start with you should ask yourself a few questions. Maybe write them down in order not to forget anything and end up being mad yourself after spending tons of money on new stuff. Mindmaps are great for this kind of stuff, and you create tons of different categories to write your ideas down. If you are more artsy, why not draw it all?

Ask yourself.

Why do you want to change your current design of your room? 

What do you want to change? 

Do you want to go all out and repaint, buy new furniture etc or do you just want to get some new decoration for your walls and shelves? 

What are you looking for in particular? 

Do you have a certain vibe in mind that you want to your room to represent?

2) Budget

How much are you able and how much do you want to spend? Set yourself a certain price that you don't want to pass, to keep your whole budget in mind and not spend money you don't have or shouldn't have spent. Do you want to properly invest or would you rather buy cheaper stuff, buy bigger pieces whenever you have saved up for them or do it all in one go?

 3) Get inspiration

This is probably one of my favourite parts of redecorating, maybe plainly because I love photography and looking at other peoples rooms and houses. 

The place that I found the most inspiration on was definetely WeHeartIt. They have such great pictures on there, making you want to own 20 houses to decorate. I've put together a little inspiration board for my own room, click HERE to have a little look. 

Another page is also Pinterest, though I personally prefer looking at pictures instead of blogs for home inspo. Instagram is also a place where you can find tons of people posting their pictures under hashtags like #roominspiration #roominspo or #homedecor, for example. 

Last but not least, is Bloglovin', which I love for any kind of inspiration that I am looking for, as it combines so many different things. HERE you can find another little inspiration board that I have created for home design.

4) Measure your room

I feel like this is the part a lot of people tend to forget before they go homeware shopping. Measuring your room, especially the parts of that you want to redecorate is so important and helpful! I cannot tell you how often I have stood in front of certain things and thought "Wow, I love that piece, but I am really not sure wether it isn't too big for that space." It is so annoying, trust me! If you find that step as boring as I do, just pop on a good Spotify playlist or some Youtube videos, and time will pass a lot quicker!

5) Make a shopping list

Now that you have measured your room and found tons of inspiration, it is time to write a list. Some people might prefer doing that in their head, but I personally prefer writing it down. 

Write down everything that you want to get or have a look at in the shops. Don't think that you will be able to go to one shop and get everything, because if you have that mind set, the chances are high that you won't even find half of the things that you were looking for. Maybe you could even DIY a few pieces or freshen up some older bits 'n bobs?

Also have a think about what shops you want to go to, in order to get the things on your list. What do you need, and where are you going to get it? There's tons of possibilites! There's IKEA and other furniture shops, home decor shops, tools shops, and also Etsy and other online shops to find stuff at that you might like and want to get!

6) Declutter

This is actually a step that I only follow when I'm in the mood for it, but something that you maybe should consider doing, especially when you are thinking of buying new shelves or a wardrobe, for example. This is obviously not a must, but we all know that satisfying feeling of a fresh and decluttered drawer.

7) Go shopping, redecorate and give away

The time has finally come to go shopping! You've got your inspiration, your measurements and your shopping list, so now it's time to actually go for it. Redecorate your room, and whatever you feel like you won't need anymore you can give it away to friends, family or to charity. I am wishing you a lot of fun doing this, because who doesn't love a good shop around IKEA looking for some new bits to decorate and funk up your room! ;)

I am hoping that I was able to help you at least in the slightest, and that now you are ready to take it on and redecorate the room you've been bored of for so long! :) Please leave me some of your favourite stores and pages for home inspiration and shopping as well, and we can all give each other a little more inspiration! :)

Have a great week! ♥

Love, Jacqueline Xx

My Dream Fulfilling Jar

 Welcome to a new post!

When I first saw this jar in the home store, I knew I wanted it straight away. It was just the thing I had always been looking for to decorate my room with. It is literally a tumblr jar, and I think it's the cutest thing ever. It's probably one of my most favourite things on my shelves.

There a few things printed on the jar, that are examples for things that you could do with the stuff inside of it, or already have done. You are even able to tick the boxes if any of the things on it are what is is for.

I personally don't only want to use this so it looks pretty when people come around my house, but to save some money as well.

You always think about buying less and saving more, but to be honest you don't think about it as much as when you have it right in front of you. I am obviously not telling you to put 100€ note into a jar that everyone can open and grab it when they are over.

Personally I am putting in all the money that I am not using or I put in some, if I feel like it. That's the small pieces in particular.

I want to use this jar to treat myself to something nice when it is full. I've got no idea how much it's going to turn out to be, but even if it's just a few euros - it doesn't matter. But in that way I am at least saving it for something I will actually love. Maybe I will get myself a lipstick from it, or maybe I am going to use it for going on holiday somewhere nice and pretty. I haven't got a plan yet, but I do want to fulfill a little dream with it, which is why I call it my dream fulfilling jar.

Have you ever thought of getting one, or do you own one? I hope I was maybe able to give you some inspiration. You can do so many things with them. You could put in tickets and bills from places you went and want to memorize for example, or simply save some money, and get yourself something nice from it.

If you can't find a similar one, you can always get a plain jar and design it yourself with a marker. :) You can also find similar ones on Etsy.

(Mine is from a German store named Depot, if you are wondering, but I don't think they are selling it anymore.)

If you want me to write another post when I bought myself something from the money inside of the jar, let me know, and I will. :)

Have a good day. ♥

Love, Jacqueline Xx