Christmas is for kids! And it’s the best time for ninongs and ninangs like you to spoil your inaaanaks a little. Of course, it’s nice to see their smiles and giggles whenever you surprise them with a gift, but that shouldn’t leave you with an empty wallet especially when you have a long list of inaanaks.

Fulfill your ninong and ninang duties even when you’re on a strict budget. Here are some hacks you can do to make your godchildren jumping for joy this Christmas without hurting your finances.

Make a list of all your inaanaks

You need to make sure that each of your godchildren receives something for Christmas. You don’t want to leave out a name unless you want to be the least favorite ninong or ninang. This is where keeping a list comes in handy.

It may still be easy to remember the name of the kids or how many you have when you only have five or fewer godchildren. But once you get past that number, they will be harder to keep track of. Having a list also helps in setting your budget.

Ask your kumares and kumpares about the kids’ interests and favorites

Find out what your godchildren would want to receive by asking their parents about it. More often than not, godparents don’t spend enough time with their godchildren to know their likes and dislikes, so you’ll need a credible source. With this, you’ll have an idea of their preferences, so you can find a way to acquire gifts the kids would appreciate without overspending.

Talking to your kumares and kumpares will also provide you with gift suggestions, and help you avoid buying something that they already have. Additionally, here are some recommendations to give to your inaanak depending on their ages:

• Newborn (0–12 months): baby shoes/clothes, baby carrier, rattle, or diaper bag
• 1–3 years old: stuffed toys or dolls, clay, softballs, coloring book, or building blocks
• 4–6 years old: storybooks, plastic bricks, house playset, toy cars/robots, train set, dolls, or sweets
• 7–9 years old: pet, sketchbook, building kits, puzzles, card/board games, or voucher for art/music lessons
• 10–12 years old: scooter/bike, sports sets, or arts and craft supplies
• Teens: fiction or non-fiction books, school supplies, headphones and other gadgets, gift cards, or diary

Set a budget for the gifts

The holiday season is a test of your control on spending—sure, it’s a time for merry-making, but it’s not a good enough reason to deplete your savings and be left with an empty wallet in the coming days. Every activity for the Holidays—including buying gifts for your inaanaks—requires a plan.

With a list on hand, you’ll be able to divide your total budget on the number of gifts you need to buy, but make sure that your total and individual (for each godchild) budgets are set realistically.

Avoid the holiday rush

You have a couple more months to buy gifts, so make sure not to cram all of your shopping in a week or two. Chances are, you’ll end up buying either more expensive or low-quality stuff when you shop during the rush. In addition, shopping early would give you ample time to compare prices from different stores, so you get to buy the most economical among the options.

Check out tiangges and bazaars  

Tiangges, bazaars, and perennial favorites like Divisoria, Greenhills, and Baclaran are great places to shop or canvass, especially when you’re buying in bulk. Items sold at these stores are just as good as those in malls and are likely even cheaper. It’s also a chance for you to support small and local businesses and buy artisanal items that are unique.

Haggle!

Another advantage of buying at tiangges—haggling! Do not hesitate to ask for discounts, as long as it’s within a reasonable range. You might also want to buy in bulk so that it’s easier to negotiate for lower prices.

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These wallet-friendly tips will guide you through gift-giving, so you don’t have to hide from your persistent godchildren. Keep in mind, though, that the responsibility of a godparent doesn’t end with just giving the best presents every Christmas; you also have to be there for your godchildren as their second parent and support their parents when they need help.

You can also apply for an online loan in the Philippines to get some boost to your budget. Cashalo’s online stress-free application assures that you’ll have enough money to shower your godchildren, as well as your loved ones, this holiday season.

In addition, you can enjoy some shopping perks with Cashalo’s Cashacart. With Cashacart, you can readily apply for a loan while shopping for your gifts at any of Cashalo’s partner stores at 0% installments.