Gifts

• 1). Shop early. Actually, it would be better if you had started shopping last January. This way you can find things at various sales AND avoid last minute gift grabbing, where you blow your budget just because you have to find something.
  
  
• 2). Pare down your gift list, if possible. Do you really need to buy a gift for every adult in your family? Consider drawing names or having a secret Santa so that you can just buy one gift.
  
  
• 3). Create a budget. And then stick to it. Even if you have to put some things on your credit card, having an idea of how much you've spent will help you keep track.
  
  
• 4). Develop your creative side. Do you bake fantastic muffins? Paint? Knit? Often homemade gifts are even more appreciated, but less expensive, than gifts from the mall.
  
  
• 5). Think about what people really need. Maybe you can't knit a sweater or paint a portrait, but you can still create a homemade, heartfelt gift. Make a coupon--or a promise in a lovely card--that provides a night of baby-sitting to stressed parents or a day of yard work for an elderly neighbor.
  
  
• 6). Take re-gifting to a whole new level. Get together with friends and have everyone bring toys, books or whatever that are still in good condition, then look around for gift possibilities.
  
  
• 7). Reuse old gift bags or decorate brown butcher paper to wrap gifts.
  
  
• 8). Skip your spouse. If things are really tight, make a pact with your spouse (or with your siblings, or whomever) to not buy each other gifts.
  
  
• 9). Ask your loved ones to create wish lists so you know exactly what they want and don't waste money.
  
  

Socializing

• 1). Shrink your holiday card list or eliminate it altogether and create an e-card.
  
  
• 2). Attend only the parties you must attend, saving on babysitting, new clothes and hostess gifts.
  
  
• 3). Pool your babysitting resources. Pair up with another couple to share a babysitter--and her costs--for the night. Or trade off with another family, taking turns babysitting each other's kids while mom and dad shop or attend parties.
  
  
• 4). Bake your hostess gifts. Who doesn't like cookies?
  
  

Decorating

• 1). Reuse old decorations. If they're in good condition, you can just use them again. If not, use them in a different way. Use broken tree decorations to make a mosaic, or cut up old holiday cards to make a collage.
  
  
• 2). Ask for donations. If you have or know any kids, ask them to make you decorations. Teach them to string popcorn and cranberries, make a ribbon wreath or other Christmas craft.
  
  
• 3). Plan ahead for next year by hitting the after holiday sales in January, when decorations are on clearance.
  
  
• 4). Drive off the beaten track to local farms for greens and trees, usually their prices are lower.