How to Reduce Your Holiday Spending

Sometimes we find ourselves paying off last year's Christmas presents when the new holiday season is upon us. With a little planning, you can reduce or eliminate that after-Christmas debt.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Christmas Cards
• Shopping Subscriptions

1. Decide how much money you can afford to spend (or want to spend) and write it down. Stick to it.

2. Pay cash, and avoid using your credit cards.

3. Buy only one present per person, and maybe a few stocking stuffers.

4. Buy only for those people you really care about. Send cards to the rest.

5. Watch for before-Christmas sales. Not only will you save money, but your shopping will be done way ahead of time.

6. Use your talents and make presents. Bake gingerbread and cookies, or craft your own ornaments. Give needlework, ceramics, framed photographs or craft items.

7. Donate your time as a present. Offer to clean your sister's house, baby-sit your brother's kids for the weekend or give 10 free tennis lessons to your niece.

8. If you are mailing packages - especially overseas - choose lightweight items that won't run up postage costs.

9. Buy Christmas cards, decorations and wrapping paper right after Christmas. They are always on sale, usually for half price.

10. Shop at after-Christmas sales for next year's gifts. The savings can sometimes be enormous.

[Rose2798]

on 1/21/2009 I like the homemade gifts. Sometimes a homemade gift is worth more than a $50 gift knowing that the person really put effort into their present. I'd also recommend, if possible, adding their name someone in or on the gift. ;)

[RachelMoore]

on 12/8/2008 Good, practical tips.

[maharishi2]

on 12/3/2008 I like the point to only buy for the few people you care most about. I think a card is more than enough for those casual friends and distant relatives.

[rtolmach]

on 7/28/2007 A suggestion for gifts.

Many of us don't want any more picture frames, vases, etc. Another way to show your love is doing something meaningful in a friend's name.

A new nonprofit website, www.ChangingThePresent.org makes it more rewarding and easier than ever. You can choose exactly what you want to accomplish: preserve an acre of the rainforest, provide books for children, fund an hour of cancer research, or sponsor cataract surgery to make a blind person see. The site already offers thousands of tangible donation opportunities from hundreds of leading nonprofits, so you’re sure to find something that moves you.

Wish lists and registries let us share our passions with others and ensure the perfect gift. Beautiful, personalized greeting cards include a photo and description of the gift you gave.

And these donations, these gifts are tax deductible


http://www.ChangingThePr

on 12/15/2005 I would say to reduce spending for Christmas to shop at the bargain stores, such as WalMart, the 99 Cent Store a (California based company) the Dollar Store and the Factory Outlet.