There are many guidelines that you can set for yourself before beginning your Christmas shopping, that when put into place and followed, will save you money.  There is an old saying that many people neglect to remember.  A saying that should be remembered during the holiday season: It’s the thought that counts… not the gift. With this in mind, you can save money by being a little more thoughtful and little less extravagant.

Here are some tips

Make a list of all those individuals who you are bound through family or other relationship to purchase gifts for.  Once you have established a list it’s now time to see what you can actually fit into your budget without putting you in the poor house.   Come up with a number that you plan on spending “overall.”  Once you have this number begin to break it down.

If you are a parent you no doubt want to spend more money on your own children, then you families children.  But set limits.  How much of your overall amount of spending money do you wish to spend on your children?  Write this number now and deduct it from your grand pot.   Now, take the remainder and divide it by the number of individuals on your list.   Now equally distribute this number amongst those that remain on your list.

Setting a pricing limit is not being greedy.  It is giving you the opportunity to be a little more creative and thoughtful when it comes to your gift giving.  And at the same time it is restraining you from going buck wild and spending money that you don’t have.

Resist the temptation to open up credit accounts at retail shops or with major credit card firms.  You will find yourself asking Santa for debt relief next Christmas if you do this.

There doesn’t have to be limits to your gift giving, but there should be sound and firm limits to your gift spending.

Another great idea in saving money for Christmas, is to buy gifts following the Christmas season when items quickly go on sale.  You can then place these items deep in the back of your closet for the following year.

The best advice is to put down your credit cards and put on your thinking cap.  This Christmas rely on your creativity and not your pocketbook.  There is no shame in setting limits on what you spend, as long as you spend it wisely.

And in this day in age you can make your shopping even easier and save money by simply buying gift cards for every one on your list.  There’s nothing like being able to spend money on yourself and getting what you really want for the holiday’s.