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One of the best ways to save at Christmas is to shop for gifts year-round. There's no law that says all holiday shopping must be done between the last week of November and the third week of December. In fact, right after the holidays is the best time to start buying gifts for next year, when sales can be as much as 75% off. Great bargains can be found year round. By shopping this way, you'll be done BEFORE the Thanksgiving turkey is carved. Not only will the savings be fantastic, you'll also be able to sit back calmly during the holiday rush while everyone else races around frantically.

Shop in unusual places. There's no need to head off to the crowded malls. Discount outlet stores are a great place to find reduced designer apparel. Gift shops and museum stores offer up unusual merchandise, so keep an eye when you travel. Antique stores are another great place to look for gifts. If the person in mind doesn't collect anything, why not buy a magazine, yearbook or license plate from the year they were born? Or perhaps a souvenir or momento from a particular time or place in their lives? A gift like that will certainly be one-of-a-kind, and not very expensive.

The local dollar store is a wonderful place to find holiday gifts, especially stocking stuffers. Or, create a gift basket. It's easy and economical to find things like snacks for a "couch potato" basket, bath items for a "spa basket" or a kitchen themed basket can be put together quite inexpensively with tongs, spatulas, pot holders, and the like. Put two dollar store wine glasses (with festive ribbons tied to the stems) with a bottle of wine from Trader Joe's or Cost Plus. Looks fancy, costs just a little.

If you're crafty, make gifts. Beaded jewelry is all the rage now, it is very easy to do and can be quite economical. Or, put together a memory book with designed scrapbook pages. A hat and mitten set is quick and easy to crochet, or even a nicely framed and embellished snapshot that you took at the family picnic in June can be a welcome gift.

If you're part of a large, extended family, consider drawing names and set a price limit on the gifts. It's still fun and festive, without the hog-wild spending so many of us do during the season. Or, make it just about the kids. If your family is really pinched for money this year, let family members know now that you're just unable to exchange gifts. Chances are they may be in the same boat. If not, they'll appreciate knowing ahead of time, before spending hundreds of dollars on gifts that might make them uncomfortable to give, if you don't let on the no gifts' policy until December.

No matter what method you use to cut corners, it can be done gracefully. And always remember, it is better to give than to receive. Get your joy from the happiness of those around you when they open up that perfect gift from you. . . .just don't tell them you bought it in October. . . at 60% off!

Learn more about this author, Ali Koomen.
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