Scrooge Never Saved Like This

Face it, in these tough economic times, aren’t we all in the same boat? That is, trying to save. Save our money, save the planet, save time… the list goes on. Given that we’re all in the same predicament, what better way to “save” than to make some changes in our holiday gift giving strategy? The reality is that we can save money, time, and our sanity without sacrificing that elusive Christmas spirit. Here is a list of gift-giving ideas from the readers at Real Simple magazine (and one from yours truly). I know I’ll be putting a few of them to use…

Shop with a plan. Never leave the house without concrete ideas and a list of what you are buying and for whom. And don’t hit the stores willy-nilly. Go to the departments and aisles that have the items on your list, and do not detour to other areas of the store. You save money and precious time. Patti Byrne, High Ridge, Missouri

Exchange birthday gifts but not holiday gifts with friends. Instead, get together at someone’s house to enjoy a glass of wine and wrap presents together. By limiting gift buying to family, it’s much easier to stay within a budget. Dana Fowler, Santa Ana, California

Recycle! Agree with friends and family to buy presents for one another from secondhand stores. Reuse gift bags and boxes from previous years. Examples: Present baked goods on old plates―the pretty ones that are no longer part of a complete set. Give vintage recipe boxes (found at a secondhand store for a dollar or two) filled with your favorite recipe cards. Tiffany Palisi, Mountain Lakes, New Jersey

Make your holiday budget in January, just after all the past season’s receipts are organized and the bills are paid. Having a budget based on real numbers and a full 12 months in which to plan will help you stay on track for next year’s festivities. Amy Materasso, Firestone, Colorado

Skip the traditional sit-down holiday dinner where everyone gets so full on appetizers that they don’t really enjoy the meal. Replace that feast with just hors d’oeuvres, drinks, and desserts. It feels more like a lovely cocktail party, with people mingling and laughing. Cutting out the big, fancy dinner slashes a huge expense from your budget, and you still get to have wonderful holiday food―just in smaller bites. Inell Kirkpatrickv, Puyallup, Washington

Words from the heart are more valuable than what money can buy. Write an absurdly silly poem or little story for the kids, letters filled with recollections of treasured moments for others, and lists of things you adore about someone special. Recording your memories on paper is a gift for you as well as for the recipient. Julie Heikes, St. Michaels, Maryland

Host a snack-and-swap party for friends. Everyone brings over 8 to 10 things (clothing, books, household items, etc.) that they have never used, despite best intentions. Make it a potluck, display your goods, then “shop” for Christmas gifts in the comfort of your own home. Inevitably you will all find items that are perfect for our loved ones, without spending a dime. Amelia Winslow, Hermosa Beach, California

Pay cash. No exceptions, and no post-holiday woes. Caroline Ochoa, Riverside, California

Create homemade wrapping paper with stamped parchment or collaged magazine clippings. It makes packaging gifts a bit more personal―and a lot more affordable. Brooke Ebersole, Arlington, Tennessee

Instead of buying presents for all our relatives, together  adopt a needy family and buy gifts for them instead. It not only is fun and rewarding but also turns out to be less taxing on the budgets. Ellen Montoya, Baltimore, Maryland