Budget Christmas ideas: decorations, meals, activities and more

CNN — The holidays are often a time when financial goals are in opposition with showing people love in the grandest of ways. “You might not think about them as they’re scattered through the house,” Riker said, “but if you bring them all together – put them on your mantel or add them to the centerpiece of your coffee table – you can really make a beautiful layout.” That’s using creativity instead of money, said Jodie Kammerer and Julie Lancia, the creators of The Design Twins blog. With a bow or burlap tied around it, “it’s immediately a Christmas decoration.” Take advantage of sales and coupons at craft stores, vintage stores, thrift stores and dollar sections, which likely have inexpensive decorations in bulk, DIY projects and boxes of 12 candy canes for $1. And “if you’re putting ribbon on a Christmas tree, you don’t need to have a whole spool to wrap around it,” Riker said. “Everybody doesn’t need a gift; everybody doesn’t want a gift,” said Judy Woodward Bates, “The Bargainomics Lady” behind her eponymous blog and author of “A Bargain to Die For.” “Don’t get all upset because you can’t afford to buy gifts for everybody, because the purpose of Christmas is just to let each other know how much you care about each other.” Those who want to keep up tradition can try the following for gift giving or alternatives: Send e-cards instead of print cards.