We’re all sick to death of hearing about the economy—but at the same time it’s never far from our minds, especially with the holiday season fast approaching. Are you taking extra early steps to prepare for holiday gift shopping this year? And is the current state of the economy going to have you cutting way back on your spending this year?

Yes.  I’m already trying to think of what items I’ll give friends and family, so that I can buy early if possible and space out the purchases between now and Christmas, rather than spending 100’s of $$ and totally breaking my December budget.  Also, one side of my family has decided to draw names and eliminate stocking gifts, so that will bring expenses way down because we only have to buy for one person!!  I love giving gifts, so I’ll be a little bummed not giving to everyone, but Christmas is about faith (since I celebrate the original meaning of Christmas) and relationships with friends and family, so it’s probably a good thing that we’re taking the focus off gifts even more.

Now the other side of the family is all about giving TONS of gifts, so I’m hoping it’ll go smoothly when we tone it down and give less items.  Maybe we should give them advance warning. :)

My husband and I are going to cap our gifts for each other really low, too—like $40-$50.

We usually keep it to a set limit. We might set the bar a little lower this year. I usually do search for bargains in gifts, but also in holiday meal items.

When turkeys are a loss leader in the grocery store flyers I buy then, ditto things like cranberry sauce, yams etc.

I’m Canadian, we just did our thanksgiving day celebration and I picked up a free turkey on a coupon from one of the discount grocers locally. You had to spend a certain amount, so I just did my main shop there, which I usually do anyways. I cooked it up this weekend along with the yams and brussel sprouts that were on sale and some stuffing from a box that I got on a Costco deal earlier and some cranberry sauce in the pantry.

My solution is a X-mas Account.  I have an automatic deduction every month into an untouchable account, until it is strategically deposited the day before Black Friday.  I never worry about budgeting, there are no surprises, and it doesn’t mingle with my economy driven monies.  It’s a win-win for me and retail.

I am making gifts for everyone this year.  Photography is my hobby, so I am making a photo albums for everyone of the photos I’ve taken over the past year or so. I think the total cost for everyone will be around $75

Every year I seem to start my shopping a little earlier...I tend to save money by doing this along with not feeling so rushed at the same time.  I always try to start a change jar to just throw my spare change in throughout the fall months them come december the money in the jar usually pays for a couple of small gifts for friends or co workers.  Money is a little tighter this year, but I think many of the stores are going to know that and be running more sales before the season rather than right after.

I haven’t planned any sort of holiday shopping at all!  We have been updating our entertainment, so planning and reearch has gone to that.  Fashion wise, I have added a couple of items, all inexpensive, to the closet but not a lot!

Yeah, I always try to start Christmas shopping early… if I see something on sale I will buy it and just start a bag of gifts… then by the time Christmas is here I usually have most of my shopping done.

Have every intention in the world of starting early this year, but I guess I say that every year.  I think I’ll try to spend a little less than in years past, but I alway seem to get caught up and buy way more than I should.  Our economy needs a lot more people like me :)

I’ve already got my Christmas gifts for my dad and both my sisters. i still need to get for my mom, brother, grandma, great aunt, and small gifts for four coworkers. With so may people to buy for I try to start as early as possible.

This money crisis has effected me alot, I tend to not go out shopping that much anymore I just can’t afford it

I actually have a lot of gifts already.  After Christmas last year, I loaded up on Christmas CDs, ornaments, gift baskets, etc.  I will be giving these things to friends and co-workers this year.  $2.50 for a Christmas CD at Target?  Can’t beat it!

For family, they obviously need more personalized gifts.  I tend to spread out my shopping so the purchases don’t hit the bank account all at once.  I also put a bunch of items in my ‘cart’ at Amazon and saved it.  Since their prices go up and down, I just waited for the items to drop or go on sale. 

If the budget is really tight, make the gifts.  Sandra Lee has a great recipe for chocolate nut bark, but you can mix it up with crushed candy canes, crushed cookies, etc.  The stuff is cheap and easy to make, and I cannot believe it retails for $7.99 a pound at my local grocery store!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/sandra-lee/white-chocolate-macadamia-nut-bark-recipe/index.html