Holiday Money Savings Ideas...

We have a $20 budget per person, so we spend creatively and make gifts. We do a family gift for extended family or draw names instead or individual gifts per person. This year we are doing an ornament exchange. I also buy my Christmas lights/decorations/wrapping paper and such the year before when they are 90% off after the holidays. We also get gift bags and reuse them every year.

I buy scotch tape in bulk refills when it's on sale at back-to-school time, and refill my nice heavy desktop tape dispenser (but we use a LOT of tape...crafty child...hee hee). I also buy wrap after Christmas when it's on clearance.

Besides my husband, no one really eats leftovers, so we don't overdo holiday food. Thanksgiving is a big meal, but small portions of each. For Christmas, we do cheese/meat/crackers/fruit/spinach dip/bread bowl/punch/olives, etc...I always do it up all fancy on silver trays (fake, of course...) and we just munch throughout the day. It's inexpensive and fun, and a treat...and so soon after THanksgiving, no one wants that huge meal all over again. Bonus...no dishes to clean up...I use Christmas paper plates and napkins and plastic "wine" glasses from the dollar store and throw it all away, so we can spend all of our time together and I don't have to do dishes on Christmas.

Also, we get movies (A Christmas Story is my fav...the bb gun movie...) from the library, but we have to make sure to get them a few weeks early or they're gone.

I buy my wrapping paper at the end of the season LAST year so I'm ready THIS year and don't have to buy a thing - tissue paper, wrapping paper, tags, etc.

We also eat on a turkey for a long time. We do few sandwiches but also make taquitos, enchildadas, soup, turkey/chicken salad sandwiches, top it on salad greens, etc.

I let the relatives spend money on Xmas toys and such. I have not bought my son but a few small gifts for his bday and christmas (he's 3.5). My family buys him too much already. If you wanted, do a small gift exchange. Draw names with your family of 4 and each can get one $5 gift. Or enjoy MAKING gifts this year. Maybe you could make some funny videos or take some crazy family pictures. Have you ever 'elfed yourself' ?? Google it. That'd be something fun to do and send to others via email. Get a good family laugh going.

I save old CHristmas cards and cut them up to make gift tags. All of our presents are wrapped in brown craft paper (which I buy at MIcheal's with a 40 - 50% off coupon). Add Christmas ribbon (purchased on clearance the previous year) and viola! Cheap, but really cute wrapping.

Research! When it comes to buying a gift, we research like crazy to find the best deal...we don't shop on Black Friday...too crazy!

My friend is slowly changing out all of Christmas lights to LED lights, which are supposed to be more energy efficient. She has been buying what she can after the holidays when it's discounted.

Get creative with gifts, think outside the box. We are close with two families. Exchanging gifts was becoming really stressful and very expensive. So now we don't exchange gifts. Instead we pick a Christmas activity we probably would have done any way and make it a group event. The kids love it! My best friend and I no longer exchange gifts at all. Instead, we wait until after the holidays and have a girls night out just the two of us. Much less stress, cheaper and much more enjoyable.

Back to the basics. Instead of tons of expensive crafts with the kiddos, we do simple things like making strings of popcorn.

Don't forget the Dollar Store. Last year I helped a friend with a Christmas party she was throwing. She was planning on ordering expensive dishware and decor. I convinced her to try the dollar store. She found some great stuff perfect for the evening and spent a fraction of her budget. Red and gold plates that looked great. She was thrilled! I have also picked up decorations, table cloths and stocking stuffers at the Dollar Tree.

Can't wait to read the other ideas! Merry Christmas!

I do the post Christmas sales too and that saves a ton! This year we decided to really cut back, and I am making homemade jam, homemade vanilla extract, and homemade applesauce for each of our parents. They don't really need anything, they are in a place where they can buy what they want, and this is actually something they'll enjoy trying. We've also decided that the kids don't need much this year, so Santa is scaling back too.

I buy most of my presents on July toy clearance (all the stores do big clearance twice a year, in July and in January).

I coupon like crazy for free tape and wrapping paper....and I've been buying people Gift cards for free groceries.

I LOVE Big Lots!

I buy Christmas decorations at CVS. They go on a 90% sale. One year I got $90 worth of stuff for $10!

I have used paper bags for gift wrap, that i colored with crayons and markers.
I buy bags and bows at Dollar Store.

I buy gifts throughout the year when stuff is on sale and I don't buy a lot for anyone. I also buy all of my decorations and wrapping supplies after the holidays when they go half off. The most expensive part of my holidays is the money for gas to drive to my parents' house.

Check out www.coliryan.com. You can earn cash back on all your gifts. As the holidays get closer you will notice the cash back increasing and there's free shipping everywhere.
:)
Refer the site and you can earn .5% on all their purchases. You could actually make a couple hundred bucks this Christmas.
:)
And it's all free.