When Christmas is over, start preparing for next year and you will save a heap. Decorations will be going out for next to nothing. Christmas Cards will be sold much cheaper.

It will cut those expenses more than in half. Never race out just before Christmas and buy expensive gifts, or

buy something that isn't really suitable or serviceable.

Look out for specials early in the year.

Try being a little inventive, by making something yourself, or if you can't, then ask a friend to help you and pay them, that way you are saving and they are earning a little money as well.

Join a club that shows you how to make things, or go to your local College, they may have courses for all kinds of activities, from making Jewelry, Ceramics even to making furniture.

When buying gifts, DO NOT purchase something because you like it, as it is for them, think about what THEY would really WANT and NEED.

Get back to the basics and those good old days when it was the "Thought that Really Counts" not how much the article cost.

You still have time to make a few little things yourself for this Christmas instead of wasting precious money on gifts that many people will not even use or leave lying about as dust harborours.

Go for it and make this one coming a truly Merry Christmas and a much more Prosperous New Year too.

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Which type of Christmas would you prefer