No one likes to scrimp around the holidays but sometimes it comes to that.  The following are some tips I’ve used this year to help make the holidays merry while still being within my means:

* Giving food as gifts- Everyone likes to eat, right??  For only a few dollars you can whip up dozens of cookies or candies.  Places like Big Lots or Odd Lots sell inexpensive tins and holiday plates that can be used to hold your home made goodies. 

If you aren’t the sweet type, try making a casserole and using Christmas Gladware containers to give as a yummy, edible gift.

* For those with children- A couple families I know have lessened their Christmas spending by only buying gifts for the children.  If you and you’re friends are childless you could try having a Christmas for the pets and buying each others dogs a Christmas gift.

* Craft, craft, craft- Making homemade gifts can be as rewarding as purchasing a gift for someone.  There are many websites that have instructions for a myriad of gifts.  Most of them are inexpensive to make and are not terribly time consuming, as we are all busy this time of year.  If you have children I’m sure they’d love to help.

* Have a potluck party- Instead of setting up a gift exchange with friends or family why not have a potluck dinner?  Everyone can bring their specialty to share and good food and good company is enjoyed by all.

* Make your cards- Almost everyone has a computer these days, or access to one.  Why not make your own Christmas cards?  You can purchase an entire ream of paper for the same price as just a few store bought cards.  You could also send email cards, completly cutting out the cost for cards AND postage.

* Have an after Christmas gift exchange- Get a few of your freinds together and plan your gift exchange for a couple days AFTER Christmas.  You can go shopping together and find all the greatest deals on good products and then take them home and wrap them up.  Everyone still gets a great gift, at a fraction of the cost.

* Don’t feel obligated to buy for everyone- If you really can’t afford to buy for everyone, don’t.  People understand.  Just make sure that you DO purchase gifts for things such as an office gift exchange.

* Give the gift of time- Maybe instead of buying gifts you can get your friends and families to join in something much more rewarding such as helping out at a shelter on Christmas or taking time to visit the elderly.  Some folks just don’t have family to visit them.  Think about the joy in an elderly person’s eyes when they recieve a visit from a random person who cares enough to make sure they have a visit on Christmas.

* Go caroling- Everyone knows Christmas carols!!  What better way to spend the holiday season than with friends and family going door to door singing the uplifting sounds of the season?? 

These are just a few of the money-saving tips my friends and I will employ this season.  Rich or poor everyone’s holidays can be merry and bright!!