Christmas is almost here and so is that long-standing tradition of exchanging gifts. Shops will be creating a festive atmosphere and displaying all sorts of treasures. Keeping Christmas affordable amidst all this temptation can be a real challenge. There are several strategies, however, that can be used to save money this year.

Make a Budget

Determine the total amount of money available for gifts. Be realistic, taking income and all expenses into consideration. Commit to spending cash only. The goal is to save money, not roll expenses into the next year by incurring debt. Decide what you can comfortably afford and stick with it.

Make a List

Write a list of everyone that you’d like to acknowledge this Christmas. Again, be realistic. Evaluate the list in light of your budget. Where are cuts possible? Consider gifts for children only and opt to send just a card with a personal note to adults.

Get Creative

Put cooking and hobby skills to good use. Bake a variety of Christmas cookies and arrange them on a decorative plate or tray. Fill a holiday tin with home-made candy. Knit or crochet winter hats or slippers. Utilise sewing or woodworking skills to create a variety of inexpensive handmade items.

Clever Combinations

Opt to give a single gift to couples or families rather than buying individual presents. Games are inexpensive and can be enjoyed by all ages. Theme-based gift baskets or hampers are always welcome and are easy and inexpensive to assemble yourself. Use your imagination to create a memorable yet affordable Christmas.

Tags: Christmas, gift baskets, Gifts, Holiday, Money, save money tips, Shopping

This entry was posted on Monday, November 30th, 2009 at 1:51 pm and is filed under Family, Holidays, Home, Interesting. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.