by Katherine Miller

Created on: October 15, 2009

Christmas can put a strain on even the tightest spenders, we are torn between wanting and being able to give presents, have a dinner and celebrate in accordance with what we have been used to and what society demands of us. In these harsh economic times, Christmas should be a time of coming together and giving that doesn't necessarily come with a price tag. So how do we save money and enjoy Christmas in uncommon ways;

1. Prepare your family emotionally - most families will understand that there will be a trade off when one or more of the bread winners of the family are no longer employed or have a more strained financial place. Depending on how you lived your life previously and what your families expectations were, then the sooner you have the talk, the more they will understand how Christmas will look like.

2. Have a Multi Family Dinner or get together - you might be surprised how many families are feeling the pinch, but if you can find the space and can share the small wealth each has, maybe a pot luck Christmas dinner might just be the ticket, not only to having a fantastic meal, but also a great get together to forget there are issues.

3. Christmas is in the giving - learn to give. Give your time to a shelter, include the whole family. Making others smile has no price tag.

4. Re give old gifts or make something unique- Clean it up, dust it off and think of how to make it new again. Quilts can be mended and new fun things added. A old purse can be cleaned up and bling added, Make a collage out of some family photos, your mom will love it.

5. Wrapping - color up some old newspapers for some fun and usual way of reutilizing paper.

6. Secret Santa Gift - Put all the families names in a hat and each person buys for just one person, put a price tag on it. Of course this is difficult if there are children involved, but then help the child either make something or assist them with buying something.

7. Family Dinner buy an ingredient - Everyone buys an ingredient for dinner and they come over early and everyone gets to join in making Christmas dinner. No presents, the food and interaction is the present.

8. Get out and about - don't sit around and mope. Go for a drive, go and play in the snow, go to the beach and watch the sunset.

9. Work - if you have the option to work on Christmas day and don't really have anything else to do, then do it. Surprise your customers with a joyous reward of being happy on Christmas, wish them a Merry Christmas. You're actually getting paid, usually time and half if not more and you get to give at the same time.

10. Do Nothing and give yourself a you day! Christmas for many is that one day that you don't have to go to work. If you are alone or just the two of you. Spend time lounging around, eat whatever, do whatever and be whatever. Play games. Play Xbox all day! Do anything you want and don't feel guilty! It's free and it works, and you will enjoy it.

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