With Christmas rapidly approaching, do you know how to shop wisely?  By using a few simple strategies, you can save big on all of your holiday purchases.

The first, and most important thing to do is make a list.  Write down all of the people that you want to purchase gifts for.  Next decide on a budget for your holiday spending.  Once you have the number of people and the total amount that you can spend, decide how much you will allot for each persons gift.

Get creative with your gifts.  The best gifts are not always purchased from a store.  Think about things that you like to do.  If you love to bake, why not bake some special treats for the people on your list.  You will have fun doing it, and they will definitely have fun enjoying it.

You may want to consider giving a photo of you and your family.  Photo holiday cards are always nice, and at this time of year you can usually find really good sales on these.  Simply add a special note to your gift, and you have a unique gift that your recipient will enjoy throughout the year.

If you have children, why not let them get in on the fun as well.  Let the children create a master piece for your friend or family member.

Although many of us feel obligated to purchase a gift for everyone on our list, homemade and heartfelt gifts are better than store bought any day.

photo source: elvinstar