Wishing you a Merry Christmas...

and a very Prosperous New Year!

8 Frugal Christmas Gift Giving Ideas

With Christmas less than two weeks away, you have probably made your list of gifts for family and friends. Perhaps you have also decided to reduce the amount spent per gift this year, and that’s ok. Frugal gift giving doesn’t necessarily mean cheap, but rather thoughtful and creative gifts that your recipients will appreciate and treasure.

Here are some ideas and suggestions on how you can present wonderful gifts this Christmas without breaking the bank.

1. If you love to bake, why not put together a gift basket filled with homemade cookies and muffins as well as a variety of teas. You can purchase baskets at any dollar store, as well as the wrapping to go along with it.

2. Another gift idea that has always been popular is a basket filled with bath and body lotions, body wash, and scrubs. These items are very affordable and you can create a unique basket filled with scents that are sure to please any recipient.

3. Do you have a friend or family member who loves coffee? If so, you can purchase a box of sample coffees. Add some homemade muffins and present it in a gift basket as well.

4. Aromatherapy candles are also a big hit. Add CDs that can calm and soothe such as sounds of nature or the ocean. You can find these affordable items at dollar stores and online for half the price.

5. If you make your own homemade jams and jellies, why not put together a gift basket filled with these items along with homemade muffins and some green tea. This is a healthy and inexpensive way to say you truly care about the recipient’s well being.

6. Perhaps you have a friend who loves books. There are plenty of books on a variety of topics you can buy at half the price at bookstores or online.

7. How about a large soup cup filled with hot chocolate mix and marshmallows for those cold winter nights? You can use your creative ideas to make this a most unique “basket” of treats.

8. Gifts do not have to be expensive. It could be a picture of you and your friend placed in a lovely frame, a homemade hat and scarf for the winter or even a CD of favorite Christmas music that you put together for that special friend.

Frugal Christmas gift giving not only saves money, but allows you to really think about a gift that is unique to the person. It shows you have taken the time to select or create those items you know will be appreciated by a friend or family member.

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6 Ways to Avoid Holiday Debt

While we all enjoy the Christmas holidays, once the bills begin to arrive we are usually brought back down to earth with a bang. If you want to avoid holiday debt, here are some tips.

1. Open up a Christmas club on January 2nd. You can contribute five or ten dollars a week to the club and by October you will either have $200 or $400 to spend on Christmas gifts.

2. Avoid using your credit card to buy gifts. This only adds to your ongoing debt and will just leave you stressed out after the holidays. Pay with cash whenever possible. If you have to buy an item with a credit card, pay the bill off as soon as you receive it.

3. A Christmas budget would be a great idea to decrease the likelihood that you will overspend on gifts. Make a list of the friends and family members you intend to give a gift to and assign a dollar amount. It is important to stick to the budget.

4. Begin Christmas shopping earlier in the year. There are always sales every week – take advantage of them. You can even buy two or more of the same item in case you have to give a gift you weren’t planning on.

5. If you like to shop online, use one credit card. There are many online coupon sites that offer great savings throughout the year. Utilize the coupons, check out the sales, and make your purchases. Remember to pay the credit card bill balance as soon as possible.

6. Perhaps Jane and little Joey want something very expensive this Christmas. If you can’t afford it, don’t buy it. With the list of gifts they will present to you, there is sure to be some items you can afford.

Holiday debt can be avoided if you start with a Christmas budget, put aside a few dollars every day, or open a Christmas club. Instead of buying a cup of coffee everyday, put that money towards Christmas.

Let’s be honest, buying items with a credit card is very easy to do these days, especially with internet shopping. But if you shop early, you can certainly pay off the debt before the holidays and start the New Year with a “bang” instead of a whimper.