
In the past, all of my family used to exchange with each other. That doesn't count my family alone, but extended family as well. If I make a quick head count, that ends up being about 25 people. Now, I don't know about you, but unfortunately money does not grow on trees around here. Buying gifts for 25 people can really add up. What I started doing in the past (before we drew names this year) was shop the after Christmas sales. The picture above shows what I was able to purchase at Walgreens at 75% off one year. This was 2 years back so I can't remember the prices on all of it, but I remember the lip balms being .25 each, and many other items being less than a dollar a piece. I was able to sift through the chocolate and find bags that weren't Christmas marked to use for other holidays, and I ended up buying a couple bags of Christmas Hershey Kisses because I make my peanut butter cookies year round, and knew I would use the kisses before the expiration date.
I ended up giving each woman in my family a snowman figurine, a small bottle of lotion from Bath & Body Works, a 2pack of holiday candle holders, a lip balm, and Christmas hand towels for less than $5 per person. If I would have purchased everything regular price I would have spent at least $15 per person.
Do I think it's worth it to shop the after Christmas sales? Absolutely! My advice to you would be to create a list of people you need to buy for, and start visiting the sales. Many stores will begin at 50% off, but will eventually go up to 75% off. That is when you will find me out and about. In year's past, the best bargains I found were at Walgreens, TJ Maxx, Walmart, Bath & Body Works, Sears, and Target's Dollar Spot.