Ten Ways to Keep Your Christmas Spending Under Control

Ten Ways to Keep Your Christmas Spending Under Control
By Julie Londrigan

Christmas is a time when we simply can't resist lavishing our loved ones with presents and treats. These generous tendencies can quickly lead to spending that goes beyond the Christmas budget. Here are ten ways to keep Christmas merry while keeping your spending under control.

1. Be an Early Bird
Start your shopping early. How early? Many people use the day after Christmas sales to start their Christmas shopping for the next year. Hitting these sales is a great way to score all kinds of Christmas supplies for at least half price and often more. Load up on wrapping paper, greeting cards, stocking stuffers, decorations and ornaments, lights, packaged gift sets (avoid food items or fragrance sets that have a short shelf life), and even Christmas themed clothing.

2. Spread it Out
Don't make all of your gift purchases in the same month. Spreading out your purchases will make the credit card bills much easier to swallow. It will also give you time to watch for sales if there is something in particular you plan to buy.

3. Get into the Game
Consider the possibility of a gift game at your family's Christmas party this year as an alternative to buying gifts for your extended family members. Gift swapping games and white elephant games are popular traditions in many families and games such as these make for lots of laughs and happy memories.

4. Try One Size Fits All
Adopt the one size fits all approach. Basically, everyone on your list gets the same thing. You'll save money because your purchasing is consistent for each person. Another bonus: think of all the money you'll save on gas by getting all of your gifts in one stop!

5. Make It
Make a gift. Maybe you have hidden talents that you could be sharing with your friends and family this Christmas. Homemade gifts are especially heartfelt. Search your talents or go to the craft store for some inspiration.

6. Bake It
Bake a gift. Sometimes the best gifts are those that are consumable. Everyone enjoys a sweet treat.

7. Be Strategic with the Stockings
Keep the cost of stocking stuffers down by filling them with items from the dollar store. Consider adding an apple and an orange too. These healthy treats are inexpensive and take up extra space in the stocking.

8. Start a Swap
Participate in a cookie swap. You'll not only save time but money too. By buying for and baking just one recipe, you'll avoid buying pricey ingredients that end up going to waste after using only a few teaspoons in a recipe.

9. Save on Postage
Send post cards instead of greeting cards. The savings on postage and even the cards themselves can really add up.

10. Agree to Spend Less
Check with family members to see who might be interested in setting a spending limit for gift purchases. You will feel more comfortable spending less on gifts when you know that you will be receiving gifts within the same price range.

Consider a few of these tips to keep your spending under control this Christmas season. You will save money and worry less and thus enjoy the season even more.