It is no secret that Christmas shopping can be extremely overwhelming. This is especially true for frugal parents on a budget. With the seemingly endless selection of toys, games, and electronics available nowadays, it is difficult for parents to purchase everything kids want. If you are a frugal parent that is experiencing some Christmas shopping anxiety, the following tips can help.

Start Early

One of the best ways for frugal parents to save both money and time on Christmas shopping is to start early. If you watch for sales throughout the year, rather than waiting until December, you will also save a bit of your sanity. By purchasing gifts in advance, it will save you from spending such a large chunk of change in such a small amount of time. If you are not sure what your children want for Christmas, purchase gifts that are always a safe bet. Things such as pajamas and bedding are usually universal gift ideas that can be bought ahead of time. On the other hand, if you do know what your children want for Christmas, you should keep an eye out for those things to go on sale during the year. Additionally, starting your shopping early will ensure you get the gifts you need. If you wait until December, the risk of items being sold out is much greater.

Create a List

Although it seems like a no-brainer, one of the best Christmas shopping tips for frugal parents is to make a list. Include on your list everyone you will be buying for, along with sizes, ideas, and a budget for each person. A list will make shopping a much more organized experience. If you know which stores carry the items on your list, jot down those as well. That will make it easy for you to find exactly what you are looking for when it comes time.

Watch Ads

By paying close attention to stores’ printed advertisements, you can find out when the gifts you need to purchase go on sale. Some stores offer sales such as “Buy 1, Get 1 Free” on certain items throughout the year, so really keep an eye out for those types of deals. It is always a great feeling to get two gifts for the price you probably would have paid for one. By watching advertisements, it also allows you to compare prices. You may find that one retailer sells certain items for much cheaper than the next.

Shop Online

Another way for frugal parents to get good deals on Christmas presents is to shop online. Many online retailers offer low prices on their merchandise in order to attract and gain customers. If you are worried about high shipping charges that are often associated with online shopping, you will be happy to know that many online retailers offer discounted shipping rates or even free shipping on certain purchases. Shopping online can not only save you money, but trips to the mall as well. Just think how nice it would be to avoid busy stores altogether during the holiday season.

Dollar Stores

Dollar stores are great places to find bargains on Christmas supplies. Items such as wrapping paper, bows, gift tags, tape, and tissue paper typically cost much less at dollar stores than they do at larger stores. You may also find good deals on stocking stuffers at dollar stores. They usually carry many small items that make excellent stocking stuffers. By making a quick trip to a dollar store, you could end up saving a lot of money on things you buy anyway.

All of these Christmas shopping tips are great for frugal parents. Once you see how easy it can be to save money during the holiday season, you will be happy you took the time to check them out.

Guest post from Adam. Adam shares a Macys promo code through FrugalDad.com.