How to Shop For Christmas Gifts on a Fixed Income

By Caroline Pollard

1. Develop a Spending Plan for Christmas. List out how much you intend to spend for each person on your list. Add it up. Is it within your budget? If it's over, go back and cut costs on the list.

2. Use a Gift Recommendation Website. These let you shop by person, occasion, lifestyle and interests across a range of retailers. You can refine your search along the way. One site you could try is Gifts.com.

3. List the Gifts You Plan to Give. Then become a savvy shopper and look for them on sale, with coupons, close-outs and thrift stores.

4. Save on Wrapping Paper Use plain craft paper and bits of branches, twigs or evergreen sprigs.

The history of the Christmas gift dates back to 4th century A.D. - the time of Saint Nicholas (later called Santa Claus). Even after so many years, people still find it difficult to find the perfect Christmas gifts for the special persons in their lives. But it doesn't have to be so hard. One just has to anticipate the coming of Christmas and write down good ideas as they occur. For instance, if your dad is frustrated that his old fishing rod broke during summer vacation, he might forget about it after a while, but it is your job to write it down and remember to buy him a replacement when Xmas comes.

Another good tip when looking for good Christmas gifts is to think of alternatives to the common presents. Here are a few ideas for alternative Christmas gifts:

1. Subscriptions (monthly magazine, journals etc.)
2. Food (gift voucher for restaurants, gourmet food basket, and others)
3. Holiday (gift voucher for short vacation breaks)
4. Personal care (facial treatment, health resort holiday, etc.)
5. Entertainment (cinema tickets, trip to a go-cart track, etc.)
6. Gift voucher for a donation

You can be Santa Claus this Christmas without sending yourself to the poorhouse! Merry Christmas! (and I mean Merry Christmas, not Happy Holidays!)

I am a stay-at-home mom/graduate student/Macbook Air lover! Check out the brand new Macbook Air at http://www.ilovemacbookair.co.cc

Blessings!