Budget Christmas tips
Set a total number before you shop, then divide it by person — a spending plan on paper is far easier to stick to than "I'll know it when I see it."
A homemade gift — a batch of fudge, a craft, a framed photo — often means more than a store-bought item at the same price point, and costs a fraction as much. One meaningful splurge for one person beats a dozen small, forgettable gifts spread thin.
And remember that an experience or a shared tradition costs nothing to wrap but tends to be remembered the longest.
