Have a Great Christmas Without Spending a Lot of Money

For many, the Christmas season means hitting the mall, putting all your purchases on your credit card, and then paying for that Christmas for years to come. For others, Christmas is a time to enjoy the festivities without the stress of spending a lot of money. There are so many ways to save money when planning your Christmas celebration.

First of all, if you and your extended family usually give gifts to everyone in the family, let them know as soon as possible that you would prefer to draw names, or not exchange gifts at all this year. They may have wanted to do this as well, but did not to want to hurt anyone's feelings. Instead, have a family game night, bake cookies or watch movies. If you usually exchange gifts at work, let them know that you will not be joining in this year. The same goes for anyone else you feel it is not really necessary to buy a gift for. Sometimes we get so caught up in the "I really need to buy so and so a gift" that before you know it, you are buying gifts for everyone you know. It is okay to be generous, but if it comes at the expense of you going into debt, it is not worth it. So what do you do about gift giving? Sit down and make a list of everyone you have to buy a gift for. After you do that, decide what amount you are willing to spend on each person. Beside each person's name, think carefully about the things that they like or what they are interested in. Write down at least five things as gift ideas.

Now it is time to shop: First of all, consider doing all your shopping online instead of running from store to store. The two months before Christmas are the times to get some great deals on shipping. You may even end up spending less than you would at the store. If you do shop locally, be sure to check out stores such as Deals, Dollar Tree, Dollar General and Big Lots. Another option is resale and thrift stores, antique malls and consignment shops. You never know what you may find. Another way to shop is by shopping in your own home for gifts that you have been given and never used, or books that are barely read that you feel that someone would like. Regifting is totally is acceptable if it done with some class. Be sure that you do not regift it to the same person who gave it to you in the first place. Also, make sure that you take the original wrapping completely off and wrap it yourself. If you are really short on cash, write a poem or story for someone, paint a picture or give of your time. Everyone has been there at one time or another.

Christmas gift wrap has become so expensive that it is ridiculous. For Pete's sake, it is just paper! Gift bags can be bought at Deals and the other stores I mentioned for a buck, any size. You could also buy a roll of inexpensive Kraft paper and personalize it with rubber stamps, stickers, raffia, pine cones, jingles bells or ribbon. Scraps of fabric or scarves can also be used to wrap gifts. For small gifts, use brightly colored tissue paper.

For the big holiday meal, offer to make the main dish (turkey, ham, goose) and ask everyone who is invited to bring one or two side dishes or a desert. Potluck is always less expensive than fixing the entire meal yourself. Besides, it is always exciting to see what everyone will bring and you will have a good variety of food. If you like to make Christmas cookies, try having a cookie exchange, where everyone bakes one type of cookie, and then exchanges cookies. Buying all the ingredients for five or six different recipes can get expensive.

Christmas decorations don't have to be expensive to look spectacular. Strands of tiny white lights can be draped around a silk tree or inside plant. Lit candles nestled on a mantel look lovely. Look around your back yard for pine cones, pine branches and other things that can be brought inside. Colored glass ornaments piled high in an antique glass dish make a nice centerpiece. The internet abounds with ideas for inexpensive holiday decorations. Look around your home and get creative.

Just a few more tips: The day after Christmas, go shopping for deep discounts on wrapping paper, decorations, ornaments, lights and artificial Christmas trees. Be sure to keep your eye out all year long for sales and clearance items that would make good gifts. Yard sales are great places to find Christmas decorations and ornaments. And you know what else? It really is okay to stop sending out Christmas cards. Postage has increased, Christmas cards are expensive and it is time consuming. If you feel that you must send a greeting, send a free e-card. The Christmas season need not be expensive to be enjoyed.