If you are like me, you are always on the lookout for ways to save some money. For this holiday season, it might be a bit hard to do that. That is why I have been on the prowl for saving tips these past few weeks. Guess what I discovered? A neat little article called The 12 Saves of Christmas, written by Allison Tait. Here it is in condensed form.

1. Don’t dream, plan

If you want to bring Christmas in under budget this year, you must plan now.. If you buy a few gifts each week from now until the big day, you’ll be able to make considered decisions, not panicked ones. Plus you can plan your menu ahead and make the most of specials on non-perishables between now and then.

2. Channel your inner Scrooge

Christmas is not a time to be tight, but it is a time to have a budget. Work out where you can shave some cash off your outgoings for the next eight or so weeks. What’s left over is your Christmas budget. Since Christmas is almost here – it should be the next several weeks.

3. Make a list… and check it twice

With your budget in hand, write out a list of everyone you need to buy gifts for this year. Is there anyone you can leave off this list? Set a reasonable limit and then everyone just buys a gift for the one person whose name they draw from a hat.

4. Craft a new tradition

Whether you make jam, bake biscuits, knit scarves, pot plants, write out recipes, take photos and frame them, or compile little gift baskets (so much cheaper than buying them), you can save a fortune. What’s more, you look as though you really care. Everyone knows that in this day and age our time is our most precious commodity. People will appreciate yours. Check out sites such as Etsy, and Living Creatively for inspiration.

5. All wrapped up with…

“Wrapping gifts can cost a fortune,” says Bibby. “But you can get away with it on a budget.” Forget that nasty, thin wrapping paper; why not try a brown paper lunch bag, newspaper, or old sewing patterns. The key is to make sure you wrap all your gifts the same way (so it looks as though it was meant to happen), and make sure you don’t forget the pretty frippery. Newspaper without the ribbon and bauble just looks cheap!

6. To Santa, with love

Christmas cards can be another expensive area. You could send e-cards, which are definitely cheaper than posting, but somehow not as much fun (possibly because you can’t display them in the living room to prove how in-demand you are).

7. Deck the Halls

There’s no doubt that the American tradition of “dressing” the house for Christmas has taken off here. It’s no longer enough to stick a plastic tree in the corner with a few glass baubles for decoration. But the festive spirit often comes with a hefty price tag — unless you think about it. For a designer feel on a budget, it once again comes back to creativity and style.

8. O Christmas tree

Speaking of trees, there’s no rule that says you need to have a pine or fir tree, plastic or real. Construct your tree from something more personal — driftwood, plastic, a cut-out on the wall. Start a new tradition at your place whereby every year someone different gets to “create” the tree.

9. Don’t be a turkey

There’s no doubt that footing the bill for the family Christmas feast can be an expensive proposition. So here’s an idea: don’t do it. Instead, get everyone involved in the planning and have all participants contribute something. If everyone brings a dish and a couple of bottles of something to drink, nobody bears the burden of the whole cost.

10. Ring your bells

If there’s one thing the Christmas season brings with it, it’s more parties than any other time of year — and more “what to wear” dilemmas. What you need, to soothe both your brain and your budget, is an outfit that will work at different events.

11. It’s beginning to look a lot like sale time

If you’re rushing out to purchase something for the festive season just because you “feel like something new”, stop. “Remember these four little things,” says van Tongeren. “One: your wardrobe is already full. Two: your credit card could do with a break. Three: no-one will remember what you wore anyway because they were having too much fun. Four — and this is very important — the sales are mere weeks away.”

12. More about gifts

Teenage girls are notoriously difficult to buy for. Van Tongeren suggests that you can’t go wrong with denim shorts, Diva gift cards, tote bags, beach towels and Havaianas. She recommends Georgie Love and Etsy for unusual gifts.

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