I have had moments of being overly generous in the past. My first year at my new highschool, I was so excited about all my new and wonderfrul friends that I went broke getting the perfect gifts for an excessive amount of people. The joy I got from making so many people feel appreciated was worth it but looking back, it was a bit much and a bit foolish. Last year, quite a few things were put on the credit card and I have not been happy about paying it off this year.

Christmas is going to be here in the blink of an eye and I don’t think there’s anything kind and generous about having an empty checking account on December 25. You have to be kind and generous to yourself too. I don’t think I know a single person who has the recommended 6 months of income tucked away for an emergency, which is especially important in this uncertain time. Maybe we should be good to one another and take some of the pressure and expectations away.

Maybe this year would be a good idea to start a name drawing where friends/family pick a name out of a hat and are only responsible for one person. You could also set a price limit.

If you truly value the time spent with dear friends and family, why not plan a party instead of gifts. A byob potluck is a great way to feel festive with friends, play some cheesy holiday music, eat one of those cheese balls rolled in nuts, take a ton of pictures and have fun without a major financial burden placed on anyone.

There’s something to be said for eliminating junk from your life. Do you really need to add more junk to the lives of those you care about? How about a gift that will get used up and will not become a dust catcher a year later. A box of chocolates, a candle, bath products, a gift certificate to a favorite restaraunt or coffee shop, a gift certificate for a simple manicure, a bottle of wine or decadent flavored liquor… all will be indulged in and eventually will be gone but the memory of the experience will always be appreciated.

Practical gifts with serious personality are always appreciated. I for one, would love a snazzy new umbrella. Maybe grandma would like a modern pair of patterned rainboots to make her feel cheerful and hip.

Okay, this is going to sound a little crappy but it’s the truth. Have you repeatedly given gifts to a certain someone over the years and have never received anything from them in return? I know the holidays are about giving but, maybe this year would be a good time to draw a line in the sand and exempt yourself from spending on that special person this time around.

Here’s a previous post I did about cheap independent design. Lots of ideas!

Some people like to give a lot of little gifts to someone as opposed to one large one. Those little things add up quickly. Maybe one nice chef’s knife would be more affordable than a basket of silly kitchen gadgets, and definitely more appreciated in the long run.

Is your father dying for a plasma TV? Everyone in the family (and his friends) could chip in for this huge purchase. No donation is too small and everyone gets to sign a big card. I did this for a friend’s birthday a few years ago. She wanted an iPod and of course you need to get the accessories like a car adapter and charger and extended warranty, etc. Some people donated $5 and some gave $50 but everyone played an equally important role in helping their friend have an awesome birthday. It involved a bit of legwork and pestering emails on my part but a dream gift for someone can bring a room to tears. (I think she liked the card best of all.)

Your friends/family could also choose to adopt a disadvantaged child, family, or animal shelter from a charitable organization and place the focus of giving on someone who truly needs help.

Getting crafty and making something by hand can sometimes cost more than just grabbing something at the store so, if you get the great idea to sew and embroider everyone a personalized pillow, think about all the supplies you will need, the true cost of everything, and the time involved. I have never once started a project with wonderful intentions and have it turn out the way I had envisioned in my mind, without some unexpected disaster. Be realistic.

Photo cards are a fun idea – dressing up the dog in a santa hat makes everyone smile, as well as a personal hand written letter letting those you love know how much they mean to you. You can also get your family/friends together for an ugly holiday sweater group photo. As bad as it sounds, it’s even better if you go to a place like Wal-Mart with uber cheesy backgrounds at minimal costs. Just take the 8×10 to one of those photo machines at the drugstore and get a bunch of smaller sizes made up for everyone, or print them at home if you have the right printer.

No matter how you attempt to make the holidays a bit more reasonable and sane for yourself and those you love, it truly truly truly is the thought that counts. Wouldn’t it be nice to finally have a holiday season that was more about quality time and laughter than lines and traffic and anxiety and debt?