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Savy Spending: Holidays On A Budget

The Dollar Tree is a great place to go if you are looking for Christmas room decor!

Angelina Pranger

Dec 03, 2018

Grand Canyon University

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The Holidays can be the best time of the year; they are also known for being the most expensive. From decorating, buy presents, activities, etc.. your bank account can start to look really, really low. So is there a way to manage the Holidays in a way that is not going to make your broke?

Children toys and electronics seem to be skyrocketing, along with makeup for your friends, and cologne for your boyfriend, it can all become so much in so little time. Not only gifts but have you seen the price of Christmas trees? Wrapping paper even seems a little excessive. Below is a breakdown on a guide to best do the holidays.

1. Decorations

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Christmas decorations are always fun to shop for! However, you are not going to find a good deal at Target or Pier 1 Imports. The places you are going to want to shop for are the Dollar Tree, 99 cent store, and Walmart. All three of these places have their own unique deals. The Dollar Tree is a great place to go if you are looking for room decorations. Things like miniature trees, signs, garland, etc. The 99 cent store will have similar things to offer, however, they might even have things such as ornaments and bigger trees. Walmart is the ultimate place if you are shopping for the living room or outside of your house. They have trees up to 10ft, inflatables, tons of decorations, all for a reasonable price!

2. Gifts

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Shopping for children, young adults, and adults can become extremely expensive. Some want the newest electronic, others make-up from Sephora (which if you have ever stepped into is nothing close to cheap). The best way to get the best deals are getting your shopping done earlier rather than later. Create a list of things you want to gather for your loved ones. Look on places such as Amazon, eBay, and outlet malls. Amazon has some amazing deals on electronics, while the outlet stores give you an opportunity for more naturalistic gifts. Outlet stores such as Lululemon, Michael Kors, and Kate Spade may offer up to 70% off original price!

3. Activities

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The Holidays are a time where Zoolights, theme parks, and local street fairs seem to be getting in the spirit. With so many activities to do, how do you choose which ones are the most affordable? The best way to go about this is Groupon. In the past, they have offered two for one admission for Zoolights, along with great deals around the Holiday season.

4. Movies

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Christmas movies are some of my favorites! This season, Netflix, Hulu, and Hallmark has an expansive range of cringy love stories, classics such as the Grinch, and even ones that originally you may have not watched but why not give a try. I know the majority of college students have Netflix or Hulu, so this is something that will not end up being another cost to the holiday season.

5. Holiday treats

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From gingerbread, sugar cookies, Holiday drinks, and more, the Holidays have some of the best treats around! However, the can become pricey if you are constantly buying a Starbucks drink every week. The best thing to do? Build a holiday Pinterest board! Try crafting some of these drinks and sweets yourself, and they could also make great gifts for friends!

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Recommended for you

Savy Spending: Holidays On A Budget

The Dollar Tree is a great place to go if you are looking for Christmas room decor!

1. Decorations

2. Gifts

3. Activities

4. Movies

5. Holiday treats

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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