'Tis the Season to Be Frugal

It's weird isn't it. It seems like the year has raced by, and we are fast approaching Black Friday and Christmas. Perhaps I'm being a little too department store by writing this long before Thanksgiving, but I am a firm believer in shopping early. With the economy in the state it is in, and with people cutting out more luxuries than ever before this may be a very unmerry Christmas. Here are some of the things I've learned, from being a college student on a budget, about buying gifts for Christmas. We all want to make everyone happy in the holiday season, but be smart about it.

Shop early. It never fails that so many people wait until the week before Christmas to do their shopping, and flip out about not having the money. It's about then that we all think opening a store credit account sounds like a good idea. It is not. An easier way to get the gifts you want, without the freak out is to start sooner. You can either save a little back each week, or even go as far as to buy a present or two a week. This also has the additional benefit of avoiding those ridiculous lines in the stores in December.

Plan a Christmas budget. Sit down and figure out exactly how much you can afford and still pay all your bills. Don't try to bankrupt yourself just to get 100 people something for Christmas. When you decide how much you are going to spend, don't let yourself have any more money with you. Take cash, and not a card. It's far too easy to spend money on a credit card than in cash. Obviously if you only take the cash you have budgeted, then you cannot spend more than that.

Make a list. Don't try to browse and figure out what to get everyone on your list. This is the fastest way to blow that Christmas budget right out the window. You can always find a ton of things someone would like once you enter a store. Know what you are looking for, and only buy what's on your list. If you do have to browse, than figure out how much money you want to spend on each person on your list and watch your budget.

Have a "Secret Santa." We all want to buy gifts for everyone that is important to us, but in reality that is just not practical. Set up gift exchanges for Christmas with your work place or your large circle of friends. This way everyone is included, and you don't have to spend an insane amount.

When in doubt, make cookies. There are always people that you want to get something for, but just don't know what to do. Do something personal. If you like to bake, make them something they can enjoy. If you can't bake, but have another talent, go for it. Christmas is about appreciation, it does not have to be about how much money you spend. If you do something personal from the heart, that is what matters.

Remember who you are shopping for. The people you are buying gifts for care about you. They don't want to see you bankrupted for you to buy them an expensive gift. These are your friends and family. It's supposed to be a time to enjoy the people you love and be happy. Don't ruin it by resenting people over giving and receiving gifts.

As a final note, this is my advice, based on personal experience. Additionally, this is just some of the things I have learned, this is in no way a comprehensive guide. It does not work for everyone, and I am not trying to make anyone upset with me. So please no hate mail :).