People often talk about the large stack of Christmas expenses that show up for payment in January.  But Christmas need not be costly.  In light of the current economic climate, I’ve compiled a list of tips that you can use to help save money during this and future holiday seasons.

• Set Limits - Christmas doesn’t have to be expensive.  If you’re going to be exchanging gifts with family and friends, then consider agreeing up-front to pre-determined spending limits.
• Make It Yourself – Sometimes, the best gifts are those that cannot be purchased anywhere at any price.  Consider baked goods, home-brewed beer…or, if you’re handy at arts and crafts, some sort of useful knick knack or decorative item.  Also consider using homemade wrapping paper, or simply wrap gifts using the Sunday cartoons that you’ve saved from the newspaper for a humorous touch.
• Check Online Pricing  - Before you buy, check online for the best pricing.  Sites like Froogle and Price Grabber can help you ensure you’ve found the best price on a given item.
• Pay Cash – Credit card debt can be expensive if you end up paying interest over time.  If you simply pay the minimum amount due each month, an expenditure could end up costing you several times the original cost by the time the card is paid off. If at all possible, pay cash for your gifts, or pay the card off as soon as you receive the bill. 
• Use Those Rewards Points and Gift Cards – If you’ve got gift cards stashed away or points that you’ve accrued on your credit card, then consider using them.  Unlike cash, you don’t earn interest on those points, so inflation will erode their value over time.  Likewise, some programs will expire unused points or left over cash on gift cards after a set time period. 
• Ship Early – If you need to send a gift, then ship it early in order to take advantage of less expensive ground-shipping rates. 
• Book Travel Online and Early – As mentioned previously, there are lots of good travel sites around that you can use to help you find deals on travel.  If possible, book three or more weeks in advance in order to take advantage of the lowest airfares.
• Cut Your Own Tree – Instead of spending $75 or more on a live tree, consider buying a tree permit and chopping your own at a nearby National Park.  Such permits typically run $10 to $20; and taking a drive out into the wilderness can be a cool experience.
• Go Artificial – Instead of buying a fresh tree every year, consider investing in a nice artificial tree that you can use for many years.  Even though they tend to cost more than live trees, they will pay for themselves over time.
• Stock Up After The Holidays – After-Christmas sales tend to be a great opportunity to stock up on clearance-priced cards, ornaments, and decor.  Take the opportunity to plan ahead for next year by shopping early; and you could save a few bucks in the process.

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