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Being thrifty this Christmas is not only smart, but stress free. While many people are looking forward to income tax returns in January, no one wants to spend most of that return paying for last year's Christmas presents. Nor do they want to pay penalties on IRAs and savings accounts. Trust me, I've been there! So, this year, as I was in a bind resulting from my decision to quit my job in order to be a full time student, here is how I managed to score:

(1) I made a Christmas list. I wrote down all the names of the people I wanted to give presents to and a spending limit. In my case, I wanted to get each person a present under $20. In order to make my shopping go smoothly as possible, I wrote down ideal gifts for each person. Acquaintances weren't given gifts because I couldn't afford to this year. However, in your case, you might want to give simple gifts if you can afford to.

(2) Using your talents is another way to save money. If you've mastered photography and graphic design programs, you might want to compile photos to create a homemade photo album. I like writing and making jewelry so I wrote poems for my parents (and signed them just in case) and I made my sister a jewelry set with beads I got from WalMart (along with a $10 Bratz Styling Head). Also, since music is a huge element around Christmas, why not write and record your own Christmas songs, burn them on CDs, and give them as gifts?

(3) Take advantage of equality. If food is a big part of your family, dig up a cherished family recipe (like a special cake, pie or batch of cookies), secure them in decorated seram wrap, add a bow, and pass them out! This also a good opportunity to bake healthy desserts! A few calories isn't so bad around the holidays! Besides, no one will have the chance to complain; everyone will be too busy eating anyway!

(4) Out of wrapping paper? Don't necessarily read the newspapers that have accumulated in your driveway or front lawn? Use them to wrap up gifts! Make sure that you look at the paper before you use it. Watch out for newspapers that have been wet, crinkly, have a funny smell or have inappropriate content. If you're going to recycle, do it right for everyone's sake.

(5) Don't necessarily wait until December to start shopping! Try to buy big ticket items and middle priced items during off-season months! Or put them in the layaway so you'll have time to pay them off a little at a time. Great way to catch sales and steals!

This Christmas by far has been less stressful for me. Not only that, I can fully enjoy January without worrying about credit card bills and bank statements. I'm definitely proud of myself this year. Usually around the holidays I lose my mind and try to buy expensive gifts. This year I couldn't afford to splurge but I still managed to score some pretty neat gifts for my family. Now I'm just wondering what they got for me!

Learn more about this author, Lakish Campbell.
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