Now that we are older and wiser, we understand that money doesn’t grow on trees no matter how the mood takes us. Although we all rationally understand this, the shopping mania that precedes and follows the holiday season still gives us reason to stress and worry. It’s never easy being the one that has to put a damper on the enthusiasm of your family and friends by seemingly being the only one concerned with your financial situation. Let’s look at a few situations that could cause us financial distress this holiday season.

Traditions are important and usually traditions cost money. Fortunately, they don’t have to cost an arm and a leg. It’s easy to soften the financial burden of a tradition and enjoy it just as much if not more. For example, perhaps like many, you take a family skiing trip every holiday season. If you would like to continue your snow filled tradition, but lack the money to do so, look for a less expensive alternative.

Rather than booking an expensive ski resort and buy (or rent) that expensive ski equipment, find a nice countryside hotel. Our northern country is full of beautiful snowy landscapes that are not resorts and in turn are much less expensive. Bring along your snow coats, hot chocolate and a sled or two and your family is sure to forget about the more extravagant and expensive skiing trip.

Perhaps your traditions include a lot of time away from home. Traditions that take time away from home are always the most expensive because apart from the entertainment, you must include travel, lodging and eating expenses.

Moving your traditions back into the home with events such as game or movie night can be an excellent way to lower cost and increase socialization.

Consider having your parties and reunions at home where it is cheaper to throw. With the internet overflowing with recipes and instructions, you can cook almost anything that expensive restaurant can serve, at less high prices. Often, a glass of wine at a nice restaurant can cost as much as a bottle of wine that you can bring home from the store. Potlucks are a great idea because everyone brings something and the stress does not become overwhelming for any one person.

Maybe you do stay home. However, gifts are at the core of your holiday tradition. Gathering around the Christmas tree and opening up brightly wrapped presents of every shape and size is a common theme around the holidays. Many holiday traditions include gift giving, and that can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be.

An imagination, a pair of hard-working hands and a bit of enthusiasm can go a long way in finding or making inexpensive gifts that warm the heart and save the pocketbook. Let’s explore how to make your gift giving a stress-free event by giving fun and inexpensive gifts this holiday season.

Gift giving is at the core of most holiday traditions because giving makes us happy, especially to the ones who mean the most to us. Unfortunately, the very thing that gives us the most joy during the holidays is also the very thing that causes us the most stress. Luckily, with a little imagination and planning you can save time, money and avoid shopping fever regret this holiday season.

For many, a large part of the gift giving fun is the hunt. Walking amongst the beautiful holiday decorations and amongst the throngs of people for the perfect item is what it’s all about. These people are the ones that can pack a healthy dose of patience and humor before heading to town. For the rest of us, merely the idea of such an outing is enough to raise the blood pressure. For these people, we now have online shopping. No matter which type of person you are, there are ways to reduce your cost and increase your joy.

If you have family members that live far away, or elderly family members that do not get out much, a material gift may not mean as much as a personal visit. Instead of shopping for a gift, take a day and pay a short visit. If they are able bodied maybe plan a picnic or a hiking trip. Older generations understand that taking time out of your busy schedule is one of the biggest gifts you can give.

Meeting a loved one in person and engaging in conversation, bringing back old memories and enjoying one another’s company is a gift beyond measure and price and yet, it is absolutely free. If you don’t feel comfortable showing up empty handed, a nice bottle of wine or platter of cookies will do just fine, and are inexpensive gifts to give.

Crafts and homemade items are always a wonderful way to give gifts without paying a hefty price.

The most important thing to remember is to keep it simple and do not try to reinvent the wheel. Whether baking a dozen mini loaves of banana bread or making Christmas tree ornaments, there are many who have done it before and are happy to help you do it in the most streamlined and inexpensive way possible. Social media and search engines are an invaluable tool when looking up ideas. Dollar stores are a wonderful place to shop for your crafting materials at rock bottom prices.

When in doubt, edibles are a great shortcut for the undecided gift-giver. You will find many nice sweets, nuts and other edibles available during the holiday at a reasonable price. Always keep any allergies or illnesses such as diabetes in mind when selecting the perfect edible gift for your loved one.

Another option is to give nothing at all to anybody you know. How is this possible while keeping the holiday spirit you might ask? Instead, give to a stranger who needs help. Out there in the world, outside of your everyday life and your bubble of comfort are a whole lot of people in need. They may be people that have been abused or are down on their luck and are starting over.

It may be an impoverished family or perhaps somebody who is homeless. There may be children who are parentless, or parents who are newly childless, or even people with no family at all. These people may be on the street corner or in a shelter or right next door.

Open your eyes and see their need. Then find a way to make them smile. Give them joy. If you don’t have money, volunteering your services will cost you nothing. You can even do this in the name of a loved one and present your loved one with a letter or photo of your kind act or donation in their name.

Giving to those in need at a time that can be very lonely is a rewarding way of keeping with the true meaning of the holidays without the unnecessary consumerism.