by Susan Klatz Beal

Created on: November 03, 2009   Last Updated: December 06, 2011

The impact of the economic recession may force families everywhere to have an inexpensive Christmas if they are to be able to afford any type of celebration at all. It may be hard for children to understand this type of change, but at the same time, it may help them look at the world as it really is. It may also help them to understand that life won't always be as perfect and easy as their lives may previously have been.

Celebrating Christmas in an inexpensive way doesn't have to detract from the celebration. It can actually be a chance for families to look at the real meaning of Christmas and enjoy the togetherness they have. It may also be a way by which people can learn to be grateful for the things they do have, rather than bemoan the things they don't have.

Here are some suggestions that can help make for an inexpensive but fun, special and meaningful Christmas.

*Drawing names -

In larger families, it is not uncommon for people to draw names out of a hat. Rather than having to buy gifts for every member of the family, each person draws the name of one person. They are then responsible for purchasing a gift for that person.

What this means is that each member of the family only has to buy a real gift for one person. A budget is established so that everyone knows what the maximum and minimum amount of money that one should spend. Because everyone is restricted to spending the same amount of money, no one will be embarrassed because someone spent a lot of money on them, but they weren't able to afford to spend a fraction of that on someone else.

*Home made gifts -

Consider doing a Christmas in which everyone has to make something. You can make a cookie, pancake, waffle, soup or brownie mix and put that in a jar, along with the recipe and any other instructions. If you knit, you might knit some small gift for people. If you sew, maybe you'll sew pot holders or some other functional, but small gift.

Another special gift might be to take a special picture, or some pictures that are meaningful and put them in a picture frame, or create a photo collage. You can purchase a cheap frame at a yard or garage sale or at a second hand store. Then you can paint the frame, decorate it or do whatever you want to do to make it more unique.

*Create a gift basket -

Instead of giving gifts, have each person get another person's name. Instead of shopping for a specific gift for people, have each person assemble a gift basket full of food goodies or other special things. When

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