The aim of Christmas presents is to make family and friends happy. How can your wallet be saved? Alternatives to bargain hunting.
The time at which the gift is purchased determines the price
Christmas is, among other things, the festival of presents – but this does not automatically mean that your wallet will have a hole at the end of December. On average, Germans receive eight gifts worth 36 euros each at Christmas, reports Groupon. Nevertheless, Germans are generally bargain hunters, especially in the run-up to Christmas, explains Georg Dryba from the North Rhine-Westphalia Consumer Center. Groupon spokesman René Beutner describes the pre-Christmas situation as follows: Everyone is striving to fulfill their loved ones’ heart’s desire – if possible without going beyond their financial limits. The motto here is: waiting can be cheap. Especially when it comes to fashion, household goods and textiles, prices drop noticeably after the big Christmas shopping season, and the latest tablets and cell phones often become significantly cheaper, reports financial expert at the consumer advice center Tatjana Halm. However, Kai Falk, managing director of the German Trade Association (HDE), points out that there could only be remaining stock in January, but it would be better to look for gifts early before the Christmas rush, as this ensures more choice.
The alternative creativity and internet portals
You can save a lot of money before Christmas, especially on children’s products such as clothes and toys. Exchange and loan exchanges or second-hand shops can be considered here. There are no limits to creativity when buying used items; for example, there are books and toys for children at Vinted.de or lila-laune-shop.de. Clothing can also be purchased at lillebuks.de.
meinetoykiste.de also offers great savings potential. The site allows you to rent toys for as long as desired. As soon as they are no longer needed, they can simply be returned. Also Legowhich is usually very popular with children, can be rented – actimunio.de offers this service.
Otherwise the motto applies: creativity wins. For many recipients, the personal value of the gift is often more important than the material value. Ideas can be collected via Pinterest or other DIY portals such as doityu.de and Practic Ideas. If you like it creatively, take the initiative yourself and just get started. Many other online portals also let you filter based on the occasion for which the gift is intended, what price range you have in mind and age group-specific information can also be specified. However, caution is advised when hunting for bargains. Discounts in particular can tempt you to make ill-considered or inappropriate purchases.
Save money at Christmas? – Give the gift of time
The cheapest and most pleasant option is probably only one option – give the gift of time and shared experiences at Christmas. Whether this is a home-cooked meal, going to a concert together or realizing a long-planned excursion or short trip – this gift does not run the risk of lying forgotten in the corner of a shelf at some point, but should guarantee beautiful memories together. Even if many planned shared experiences will probably have to be postponed a little as a result of the corona pandemic.
Editorial team finanzen.net