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Shop as you go.

Once your list is complete, start shopping! Keep a copy of your list in your purse or wallet, or manage it on your PDA. When you see the right gift at the right price, check it off and stop shopping for that person. At home, designate a closet, empty chest of drawers or laundry basket as a holiday gift repository. Tape your list to the top, and check off recipients whose gifts are in the bag.

Don’t splurge on decorations

Turn off the home-decorating TV channels and look at decorations you already own with fresh eyes. If you want a new look, try moving the tree to a different room, rearranging furniture, or trimming evergreen trees and bushes, and then using the cuttings in vessels you already own. Make a wreath from pruned vines and decorate with found ribbon and a few special ornaments. Instead of buying a greeting card display, tack a beautiful ribbon to the ceiling or door frame and pin cards on to remind you of family and friends.

Find willpower online

Avoid the temptation of store displays—as well as the hassle of fighting over the last must-have toy. Buy online, especially when you find free shipping deals. You won’t buy anything not on your list. And you can find especially good bargains if you find free shipping to out-of-state family and friends. If you are tempted to surf from site to site, becoming distracted along the way, set a timer to finish placing your orders.

Do not buy for yourself

The National Retail Federation found shoppers planning to take advantage of sales, spend more than $100 on themselves. If you must splurge on something for yourself, think simple—keep it to a limit of $10 or so—like a the newest nail color or a bargain-priced DVD to relax when you are finished shopping.

Mass-produce gifts.

If you lack the funds to hand out checks to service providers, keep it simple. Decide on a plan—two kinds of delicious cookies—and spend an afternoon slaving in the kitchen. Package cookies in attractive containers (ideally something that can have a useful second life, like a travel coffee mug) and hand them out to the mailman, dog walker, garbage collector, etc.