Holiday spending can get out of hand quickly. Many people wait until the last few weeks and rush around buying something for everyone they have ever met. Others buy all year only to discover that they have bought three times as much as they planned. Make your holiday season simple and cheap. Start working towards spending just $100 - TOTAL!



1. Recruit the rest of the family. If you are aiming to cut your holiday spending then be sure that the rest of your family is on board. Encourage aunts, uncles and grandparents to give time instead of monetary gifts. I certificate for a trip to the museum or fishing (or what ever the family member is in to) will mean more in the end than just giving fishing tackle.

2. Everyone likes to get special treats, especially during the holidays. Make a tray full of goodies for your friends and neighbors instead of buying nick-knacks that they are likely to throw or give away in the end anyway.

3. Make your gifts yourself. If you can sew, then make some Christmas pillows or other small item. People who are good with wood and could make door signs, garden signs or even garden furniture (ask a neighbor with a pond if you can get some of the small willow trees to use for the wood). Personalize each gift for the person and you can be sure that no one else will be giving the same gift.

4. Talk to the kids about making birthdays the time for big gifts and making Christmas the time to give instead of receive. They might be more receptive to the idea than you think - particularly if they are in on the creating of the gifts to be given.

5. Cut down your list. If you have something specific that you think your neighbor, co-worker or postman might enjoy then go ahead and give that gift. Avoid giving "just because you should". Make it meaningful - it really is that thought that counts.

Getting creative, cutting back and giving time over money are all great ways to start down the path to a $100 holiday season.