Easy Ways to Save Money This Holiday Season!

by Natashia Patricio and Sopheap Chea '11

The holiday season is just around the corner and during these tough economic times you don't want to spend a fortune. There are easy ways to save money but still get the perfect gift. So hold on to your hats and take a journey to find out how to save money this holiday season.

Christmas Cards

• If you're on a budget this year cut down and only send Christmas cards to the people you would like to get in touch with most.
• Send postcards or letters, instead of Christmas cards.
• Recycle your old Christmas cards from last year and send the pretty side as a postcard and help by keeping new cards out of the garbage dumps.
• Christmas cards always go on sale in December, and the longer you wait the better!

Food

• Compare prices!
• Buy store brands because no one will even notice.
• Cook your turkey in a large Reynolds cooking bag and you won't need to buy an expensive Butterball, any brand of Turkey should turn out great!
• Stock up while everything is on sale but if you end up with too many bargain buys, share them with your local food bank!

Entertainment

• With no late fees Netflix makes it easy to rent DVDs online instead of going to the movie theater.
• Get out the board games and cards. The kids would love spending time with you. You can even borrow games from a friend or neighbor.
• Sing and sit around a warm fire or cozy out with blankets and Hot Cocoa.
• Have a family gathering to decorate the tree, wrap gifts, or bake cookies.
• Go to the library and check out a Christmas book. Read it together or decide who going to read what chapter. Decorations
• Buy close to the holiday or even after the holiday. You can fill your house with decorations for small fraction of the cost.
• Save your children's holiday craft's and art work after a few years you'll have beautiful decorations.
• Add some cranberries to your popcorn string for a touch of color, very pretty.

Now you have endless ways to save money and still create memories with the family. Use your imagination and your wallet will thank you later. Remember these tips to save money this holiday season because in the end it will be worth it.