Make a List and Check it twice. Take a few moments to sit down and write down exactly who you will be purchasing gifts for this year. Did your neighbors do something nice that deserves a thank you? How about your children’s school teachers? Is your company having a holiday party gift exchange?

Being prepared can make all the difference in avoiding impulse purchases.

Give the gift of thrift. Visit your local thrift store or Goodwill to purchase high-quality clothing and brand name accessories for a fraction of the price at a traditional retail store.

Buying secondhand doesn’t just save you a ton of money, it prevents waste and lessens the number of things piling up in landfills.

Build a Fool-Proof Budget. A budget will keep you organized and your spending in check. It is very easy to go over budget when shopping for holiday treats, gifts, and décor.

Make your budget ahead of time to avoid the shock of overindulging. 

Host a gift exchange. A gift exchange is a good way to ease out of buying so many holidays gifts, especially if you have a rather large list of those to buy for.

Gift exchanges are great for families (large or small), friends, and coworkers. Draw names out of a hat and only give a present to the person whose name you drew. Setting a spending limit is also helpful.

Rule of 4 for kids. It’s pretty simple and easy to remember:

• Buy something they want
• Something they need
• Something they’ll wear, and
• Something they’ll read

Not only does this make those giants lists more manageable, it helps you make sure you aren’t overspending this holiday season.

Give a handmade gift. There a lot of different ways to make holiday gifts, and many of them don’t take much time. Pinterest is your friend for handmade gift ideas.