8 Tips to Fit the Holidays into Your Budget

With the economy in trouble and the cost of living rising, people all over the world are having to tighten their belts for the holidays. But it's times like this, when our stresses and worries are foremost in our minds, that celebrating the holidays is the most important. It reminds us of what is good about life, and why we strive so hard in the first place.

Celebrating Christmas, Hanukah, or whatever you celebrate can be expensive. But it doesn't have to be. With a few of the tips below, you can tighten the belt this holiday season without having to lose out on the festivities.

1. Secret Santa. A lot of families do this even when they're not on a budget, simply because it makes shopping easier and takes some of the focus away from the commercialism of the holidays. Instead of having everybody in the family buy presents for everybody else, pull names for gifts, and have everybody in the family buy just one. Even if you don't want to do this among immediate family, it can be a great way to exchange gifts with extended family.

2. Make your gifts. Homemade gifts are generally inexpensive, and they're a great way to show that you care. After all, lot more effort goes into making something than into driving to the store to pick something up. So homemade gifts are that much more personal.

3. Embrace secondhand items. If you're one of those people who thinks giving or receiving secondhand gifts is trashy... get over it! Sometimes that vintage corduroy blazer from the thrift shop is even more exciting than a brand new one from the department store. And if you have a book lover in your life, you can bet that five used but readable books will be way more exciting than just one new one.

4. Go online. There are plenty of great places to buy inexpensive or hugely discounted holiday gifts online. You can get great deals on new or used items at sites like eBay, or even find handmade, one-of-a-kind items your family will love. Don't know what to buy? Pick up a membership to a favorite website, such as an internet dating site or an online magazine.

5. Find vouchers. Did you know you can buy or find free discount codes and vouchers online? Before you make your next big online purchase for the holidays, spend some time looking for discount codes or coupon codes online. These codes can provide small discounts, such as free shipping, or larger ones, such as 25% off.

6. Decorate naturally. Buying expensive centerpieces for a holiday dinner or shiny baubles to hang all over the place can get expensive. Use natural decorations, instead. Go out to the woods with friends (or with your kids!) and pick pine boughs, holly, pine cones, etc., for your holiday decorations. Decorate inexpensively with candles, and take time to make natural decorations for your home, such as shaped cinnamon-dough ornaments and clove-studded oranges. They're not just natural, cheap, and pretty, but they also smell wonderful.

7. Send e-cards. If you send out Christmas or Hanukah cards every year, the price of buying and sending them can really add up. If you're cutting corners for the holidays, send out e-cards instead. Sure, they don't have the personal touch of real cards, but they're still a lot of fun to receive in your inbox!

8. Spread the holiday dinner around. Hosting a holiday dinner can get expensive. Spread the cost around by asking different members of the family to bring different dishes along. If you only have to focus on one or two dishes, you'll have more money leftover for gifts and fun... plus, you'll get to spend more tine with your family. And that's the whole point of the holidays in the first place, right?

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