How to Celebrate Christmas Without Going Broke

Does Christmas seem to put you deep into debt each year? You are not alone. Many Americans spend much more than they can afford for the holiday season. There are steps you can take to spend less money on Christmas gifts for your family and friends. By using these steps you might even be able to avoid using credit cards for any of your purchases. Careful shopping and planning throughout the year will have you well on your way to an affordable Christmas.

Instructions

1. Save money for Christmas throughout the year. Start saving as soon as you can after the previous year's Christmas. An easy way to save money is to save dollar bills and change throughout the year. Cash your change and count your dollars a few weeks before Christmas to see how much you have saved.

2. Start shopping for Christmas two or more months before Christmas. This will give you time to shop around for the best deals. You will not find yourself in a situation where you are rushing to find gifts at the last minute. If you still need to do Christmas shopping just a few days before Christmas, you might spend too much in your haste to buy items.

3. Look for Christmas gift ideas throughout the year. If you see an item that would make a great gift at an even greater price, consider purchasing it to save for Christmas. You can save considerable money by having an eye for potential Christmas gifts throughout the year.

4. Watch for Christmas sales and coupons. Search through the advertisements for the local stores to find the best prices on products to give as Christmas gifts. If you have coupons for items that will make excellent Christmas gifts, watch for days when stores are offering to double the value of coupons for even greater savings.

5. Use your talents to give gifts that cost very little or that do not cost any money at all. If you are an excellent baker, you can create personalized goody baskets for your friends and family. Write a special poem for a loved one if you are a talented writer. Draw or paint unique pictures if you are an artist.

Tips & Warnings

• Try not to use your credit cards to purchase any Christmas gifts. If you do use a credit card, use one with the lowest interest rates.