Christmas on a Tight Budget: Holiday Survival During a Recession

Below are six ideas to help you get through Christmas on a tight budget, and still enjoy the holiday despite a recession.

1. Draw Names: If you've always bought individual gifts for those in your extended family, this would be a good time to consider drawing names instead. All names go in a jar and each person pulls one and buys or makes a gift for that person. Some families even have the children do this within the immediate family. It's a great way to do Christmas on a shoestring budget.

2. Give a Family Gift: Rather than purchase an individual gift for Uncle Sourpuss, Aunt Pickles and Cousin Brainless, purchase one gift for the entire family. It'll help save money during the recession. Board games, photo books, or family journals are great choices.

3. Make Homemade Gifts: Craft stores often have free classes during the holidays, but if you don't have the money to buy craft supplies, the classes don't do any good. Instead, search on line for craft ideas that involve supplies you already have around the house. Making your own gifts is a great way to survive the holidays during a recession. Photo albums are always appreciated by grandmas and grandpas. Crocheted afghans are welcomed by high school and college students. Handmade Christmas ornaments or baked treats are always received with delight by neighbors and friends.

4. Give Gift Certificates: If you want to survive with your wallet intact during a recession, don't buy expensive store-bought gift certificates. Instead, make your own. Give Grandpa Fuzzy a certificate from you or the kids for a free car wash, to be redeemed when the weather warms. Give Grandma Sweetie a ticket for help in planting the garden in the spring. They'll enjoy those so much more than a purchased gift that would probably just end up sitting at the back of a closet. And kids love giving and receiving gift certificates, too.

5. Swap Toys: If you're worried about getting toys for the children, but can't afford the prices during a recession, consider swapping toys with the neighbors. Exchange Jimmy's outgrown bike for Johnny's seldom used video game. As long as the kids don't live right next door to each other, no one will be the wiser. A coat of paint or cleaning with a damp cloth often makes little used toys look new.

6. Shop Second-hand: Second-hand stores are a sure-fire way to survive Christmas during a recession. With careful shopping, you can even find brand new clothing for a fraction of the cost you'd pay in a department store. The perfect sweater for Aunt Flossie is probably sitting right there, waiting for you.

Lastly, the thing that many people want-with all their hearts-is the gift of your time. Even though you can't technically wrap it up and put it under the tree, consider spending time with those you love, as a gift for them this Christmas. Not only will it help your pocketbook survive the holiday during a recession, but also it'll strengthen the love you feel for each other.

Sources: Personal experiences