4 Small Holiday Costs That Can Really Add Up — and How To Save

With the holidays just around the corner, some of you might have already started getting ready for Christmas. The rest of you probably won’t be far behind. But with budgets a little bit tighter this year, many are looking for ways to save money .

While there are plenty of resources online for saving money on Christmas gifts, it’s also important to find ways to save on all the other expenses you have around the holidays.

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Keep reading as we look a little deeper at four small holiday costs that can quickly add up and how you can save on them .

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Wrapping Paper

Have you ever noticed how much you spend each Christmas on wrapping paper? While the price on some rolls might not have increased much, some rolls seem to be getting smaller and the paper a little thinner.

While it’s possible to splurge on the thick wrapping paper with grid lines, that can get a little pricey. If you have a larger family, the costs can start adding up. So how can you save money on wrapping paper? Start by reusing. Instead of ripping through your wrapping paper when opening presents, have your family be a little more delicate. This way, you can reuse wrapping paper for future gifts.

Other options include wrapping gifts with newspapers or other paper you have lying around the house. You could also try thicker crafting paper. These come in different colors and thicknesses but are typically less expensive than traditional wrapping paper.

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Christmas Cards

Do you like to send Christmas cards to friends and family each year? It’s a great way to keep in touch with people you might not see very often. Plus, studies have shown that receiving physical mail can have a positive effect on a person’s mood.

However, Christmas cards can get expensive. If you include photos and use thick card stock, the price can start climbing pretty fast. Luckily, there are a few ways to save on this fun holiday tradition.

If you use a company like Shutterfly or Tiny Prints, make sure you do a quick Google search for available coupon codes. This can help you save a significant amount. Another tip is to create something yourself. Apps like Canva make it extremely easy to design your own Christmas card and then have them printed. Finally, you can always skip the physical card this year and send a digital version instead. By going this route, you can eliminate the cost of prints and postage.

Christmas Decorations

We all want our homes to look and feel like Christmas during the holidays. However, it’s important to remember that even the smallest purchases can start adding up over time. If you pick up a $5 ornament for the Christmas tree today and a $10 wooden Santa tomorrow, it can get expensive.

To help keep the cost of decorating your home to a minimum, plan a year in advance. That means as soon as Christmas is over, take advantage of the sales most stores have. It’s not uncommon to find Christmas decorations for 70% off or more.

Holiday Meals

Holiday meals are a big deal for many families. They’re a great way to get together with friends and family and enjoy some quality time together. But holiday get-togethers can get expensive fast. Unlike most meals throughout the year, holiday meals tend to have many side dishes, wanting to give everyone a taste of every holiday tradition. This can cause a bit of shock once you get to the grocery store checkout.

However, saving money on your holiday meals can be simple. You could make it a potluck and have everyone bring a side dish so the cost is spread around the entire group. Also, make sure you use coupons and apps like Ibotta to save additional money on your shopping list.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com : 4 Small Holiday Costs That Can Really Add Up — and How To Save