by Stacey Mcclure

Created on: November 09, 2009

Here comes Christmas! Never fear, I have lots of great ways to defray the costs. Everyone is feeling the pinch of our uncertain economy and looking for ways to cut corners. For those of you that are not accustomed to the frugal side of life, try some of these ideas this year. You would be surprised at how easy and fun it can be to save a little money around the holidays!

Make your To:/From: Tags out of old greeting cards. Save all of your Christmas cards and then cut them in small rectangles. Fold them in half to make a mini card to write who the gift is "to" and "from". If you don't have any old greeting cards, you can make the tags out of construction paper. Let the kids decorate them (except the ones "From Santa"!). Use pinking shears if you have them or just freehand a scalloped edge to make them even fancier.

Wrap all of your presents with newspaper. The size of a typical page of newspaper is pretty substantial and will be big enough for most gifts. If not, tape a couple pieces together. Decorate the packages with watercolors, markers, glitter glue (or glitter and glue). You can paint or draw Christmas trees, snowmen, reindeer, etc. Try outlining the blocks of text to make a design. Another option would be to use the comics or even use pages of a fashion magazine for smaller gifts. Be creative in the pages you choose to fit the personality of the recipient. Magazines have lots of chic ads that would make for interesting wrap! Use your imagination!

Make some of your gifts. Peruse the internet for craft ideas. Some gifts can be made from items you already have around the house. Many people prefer a handmade gift to store bought. You better get going though, it's already November!

Have a "White elephant" grab bag. Everyone who wants to get in on it will look around their house for something that is nice, but they are either tired of it, or just don't use it any more. Then, wrap the gift and put all of the "white elephant" gifts on a table. If there are 10 people involved you would write the numbers 1 through 10 on small pieces of folded paper and put them in a hat or bowl. Everyone will pick a number. The person with number 1 would choose a package from the table and sit down (not opening the gift.) The person with number 2 would either take a gift from the table or take the gift from #1. Number 3 would either take a gift from the table, or take the gift from #1 or #2. Continue until everyone has a gift. Now, #1 opens their gift. After they open it, they

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