| This Holiday season is likely to be much different | | | | January and February. |
| than others in recent memory. Most families are | | | | Look for where you can cut cost on your holiday |
| dealing with the consequences of a serious | | | | expenditures. Try to trim the nonessential |
| recession and likely don't have the same level of | | | | purchases from your holiday shopping. It might |
| funds they would normally spend on Christmas | | | | mean not decorating your house as extensively |
| presents. However most of your kids will still be | | | | this year or not having as elaborate a Christmas |
| expecting Santa Claus to stop by and give them | | | | dinner. Making these choices will help to free up |
| what they wanted for Christmas. This can be a | | | | money for buying presents without exceeding |
| tough dilemma for any parent. Fortunately there | | | | your budget. It doesn't mean that you have to |
| are ways to find what your kids want for the | | | | diminish your holiday experience. For example one |
| holidays and not empty your wallet in the process. | | | | good idea is to save money by making |
| Here are some simple tips to help keep the | | | | homemade decorations. You still can make your |
| season bright this year as you do your holiday | | | | home look beautiful for the holidays and you will |
| shopping. | | | | be saving money at the same time. |
| Save and earn some extra money on the side. | | | | Shop early and often. The normal tradition is to |
| There is still two whole months until Christmas | | | | procrastinate to the last minute and enter into a |
| Eve. Take advantage of the time to save and or | | | | last dash for presents just before Christmas Eve. |
| earn some extra money for the holidays. Look at | | | | While you may have had the resources to do so |
| what you can afford to set aside every | | | | before, times are different. Take full advantage |
| paycheck and stick to it. If things are tight try to | | | | of the holiday shopping season from right after |
| look for other ways to earn extra money on the | | | | Thanksgiving to Christmas. This allows you to be |
| side. You will be surprised to find what you can | | | | able to look for great sales and find items that |
| do. This is the most important tip to follow | | | | may be out of stock later on. Starting early and |
| because it will give you the foundation to utilize all | | | | taking your time to do it right will definitely help |
| the options available to you this holiday shopping | | | | you save money in the long run. |
| season. | | | | If you can't afford to have the husband don the |
| Use non credit payment options. There are some | | | | Santa Suit this year, there is still something great |
| great ways this holiday season to avoid using the | | | | you can do this year to help your kids still believe |
| family credit cards for holiday purchases. Stores | | | | in Santa and the magic of Christmas. You can |
| are now offering installment plans such as | | | | order a personalized letter from Santa online. You |
| layaway which will allow you to pay for your big | | | | choose three good things your kids did this year |
| gift purchases over a period of time. Also take | | | | and some of the items they wanted for |
| advantage of online shopping to avoid crowds and | | | | Christmas. The letter is made to be authentic with |
| comparison shop for important items. You will find | | | | Santa's signature and a postmark from the North |
| that you are less anxious about the credit bill in | | | | Pole. |