photo by tinywhitelights

This holiday season, many families are avoiding advertising and consumerism and are opting for a simpler celebration. Some call it an old-fashioned or homespun holiday, but the common thread is the desire to set reasonable expectations and budgets, and get back to basics.

The following are frugal holiday strategies from readers.

TOSS THE ADS: I don’t allow catalogs to enter our home during the holiday season. Most of our gifts are handmade. There is something special about watching the children make gifts for their daddy or whispering with daddy about what they are making for me. When they do buy a gift, they go to the dollar store.

We don’t rent or buy any new holiday movies. We watch the oldies on television. We aren’t putting lights outside. Instead, we’re putting up a few more decorations inside so we can enjoy them all day long. I stopped sending out seasonal cards, too.

We purchase our turkey long before the holiday, when it is on sale, and I save breadcrumbs for making my stuffing for the turkey rather than buy boxed stuffing. — C.J., Canada

FRUGAL SIMPLICITY: I’m making homemade gifts. I will only use the decorations I already have or can make with items in my craft area. I’m making gingerbread houses and cookies with the kids. I will give each child a certain amount of money because they love to shop at post-holiday sales. We will volunteer somewhere as a family and will continue our annual pilgrimage to see all of the decorations in the neighborhoods around us. — Yankeegal, Maine

SECONDHAND AND DISCOUNT SHOPPING: I shopped flea markets, yard sales, dollar stores and did a lot of swapping and trading. — Tracey, Pennsylvania

SAYING NO: We participate in as few gift exchanges as possible. Sometimes that involves saying no to party invites. I don’t like to be out and busy every weekend, so we’re choosy about which parties we attend. — Ewokgirl, Texas

GIFT STASH: I went through my gift box the other day and matched gifts to recipients. I have almost everything already from shopping throughout the year and regifting. For people I don’t have gifts for, I’ll make homemade chocolates and flavored nuts. — Peanut, e-mail

PLAN AHEAD: I put away $20 a month throughout the year to avoid having a big expense at the end of the year. –Emjo, e-mail

SIMPLE SPOUSE GIFTS: My husband and I only fill each other’s stockings. — Pkellyc, Connecticut

FRUGAL BARGAIN HUNTING: I looked online and found cheap magazine subscriptions, so guess what everyone is getting this year? — Kittyrose, via forums

PARE DOWN: Two years ago, I decided to quit doing and giving out of a sense of obligation. I basically cut out all of the pain-in-the-butt individuals. Saves us money, time and heartache. — Frugalwitch, Alabama

FREE SAMPLES: I saved samples I received this year and created mini-grooming kits. Teachers are getting baskets bought at Goodwill filled with school supplies that I bought when they were on clearance. — Stephanie, e-mail

FOCUS ON FOOD, FAMILY AND FUN: We host a holiday party for the family each year. (This could be a potluck.) We do not exchange gifts. It’s all about the family, food and desserts, decorations, music and a lit fireplace. — Stacey, e-mail

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