What have you done to save money this holiday season? Any frugal victories? For me, I would have to say shopping online has helped my overall gift budget. Staying out of the stores has almost eliminated impulse shopping, plus saving me money on gas. Yeah!

Money this year is very tight. there is just no extra. So this year iS a freecycle year. The tree lights and all the toy s. iNCLUDING a new bike. It has been a true Blessing. So we payed nothing this year. It may not be the lates toys but my girls will love them.

We cut back, majorly. All the women in our families are getting hand soap from bath and body works. I bought a bunch when they had them for 4 for $10. We spent $10 or less on all the children. And our kids won't be getting nearly as much as they're used to, but we just didn't have the money. I just hit sales and found bargains wherever I could.

20% off coupons on linens and things flyers have been helpful to us this year.

I sat down this summer and decided what I wanted to buy for everyone and approximate cost and stuck to it. I ended up buying ds one more thing than I planned, but that is it. I ended up getting most things for less than I planned

We only bought gifts for immediate family members. We did some regifting with some of the ladies, who are getting baskets with new candles and lotions. Coworkers received the whisk filled with Hershey's kisses with a note that said, "We WHISK you a Merry KISS-mas." Neighbors will be getting a tray of cookies, along with one of those whisks. We are not buying each other gifts, as we just can't afford it this year. We spent SOOO much less on presents than we have done in the past, but we were proud that nothing was put on a credit card.

I made more things than I ever have before and I cut a few people from my list. They might be disapointed when they dont get a package in the mail bu tI can help it. I think we shouldnt spend anytime worring about adults and concertrate on the kids.

1) I made my own gift bags a few years ago which was a little bit more expensive the year I made them but now they have really paid off not having to buy all that extra wrapping paper.

2) I suggested to extended family that we all only buy for the kids in the family. They all loved the idea too.

3) We all agreed that each gift would be under $20 (We spend $10 on most of ours with 20% coupons and discount stores).

4) We are filling stockings with things we would already buy (toothbrushes, deoderant, shampoo etc)

5) I wrote all the people's names I needed to buy for and put them in an excel sheet, and then filled in the details as I got them (so that I would remember and wouldn't buy extra gifts.)

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I bought toys from friends whose children had outgrown them and e-bay this year. It saved a ton!

I had some things from the after Christmas sales last year and clearance sales throughout the year. I used candles I got from a friend selling Party lite. I would have bought from her anyway, so I just saved it for 3 presents (my sister, my mom and my niece). I really thought about what I was buying my kids. I do not want all kinds of little junky toys. I actually tried to get things without alot of pieces. With the money my mil sent for the kids presents we bought an air hockey table for everyone. Usually I buy them all gifts with it.

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~Happiness is a large family~