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This Christmas families are looking for simple ways to save money on Christmas Presents. This can be vital with many families experiencing strained finances. The goal is to still have a great Christmas but be able to do it on a reduced budget. This may seem challenging but there are many options that can help you have a great Christmas and still not strain your pocketbook. Here are some great suggestions that you can use this holiday season.

The first thing to do is to look at your budget and see if there is any extra money that you can put towards your holiday expenses. You should also look to see if there are any small things that you can do to earn some extra cash for presents. Even with less than two months left before Christmas don’t underestimate the power of saving. Every little bit counts and can make a surprising difference when you start your holiday shopping.

Try to buy not just for this Christmas but for the next one. The big problem with many shoppers is that we often shop in the moment. We see it, we want it now regardless of whether it is a worthwhile purchase or not. If you want to make great money saving purchases you have to have a long term view. It might mean that you may not choose the most expensive item when you do your holiday shopping for this Christmas. You may wait until the after holiday sales where you can get much better savings and keep that gift for next Christmas. Actions like this will multiply the effectiveness of your spending.

Start hunting for coupon and keep an eye out for sales. The name of the game is savings when you do your holiday shopping. Look in store publications and newspapers for the dates and times for big sales this year. Also look for coupons that can add additional savings to your purchases. The new innovation this year is the internet. You can now not only do shopping online, but also find coupons that present major saving. Simply doing a Google search or posting a question on ask.com or askville.com will help you find important information that will lead you to awesome discounts.

Take advantage of clearance sales for other seasons to find great and inexpensive gifts this holiday season. For example my sister often babysits for extra money. She likes to purchase toys that will help make her job easier by giving the kids something new and interesting to play with. As a college student she doesn’t make much but she knows how to take advantage of bargains. One of her charges loves Hannah Montana. So my sister saw a pop star set and a Hannah Montana Halloween costume on sale for mere dollars on clearance. She was able to get a gift on the cheap that when she gives it to the little girl she babysits will send her over the moon.

Something simple and inexpensive that you can do for your kids is to have them receive a letter from Santa. It is quite affordable and you can give your kids something that looks like it is from Santa and seems quite authentic. This will help make Christmas magical for your kids without spending a lot.

Create magic in your child’s eyes with our letters from Santa . EZSantaLetters.com offers fully personalized Santa letters and 15 pre-written Santa Letters . All letters are postmarked from the North Pole and will definitely put a smile on your child’s face.

At this special time of year we hear Christmas carols just about everywhere we go. They are on the radio, on television, in the malls, being sung by groups of people here and there. All of the carols have special joy and meaning to them.

In Luke 1:46 we read a special song that was sung in connection with this coming event – this blessed birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. It was sung by Mary, His mother. She had been visited by an angel who gave her the message that she had been chosen by God to be the mother of the Highest One – the Christ child, the Messiah who would come to save His people from their sins.

Because Mary was a Jewish woman, she no doubt knew of the promises God had made to send His Son, the Messiah. The first mention of the coming Messiah is in Genesis just after the fall of man. Later, in Isaiah we read that the Son of God will be born to a virgin.

Of course, Mary was full of joy when she was told that God had chosen her to be the mother of His Son. At that time she paid a visit to her cousin Elizabeth, who was also a part of one of God’s miracle. In the first chapter of Luke Mary sings out in praise as she magnifies the Lord.

As her song continues, it is a reflection of the fact that she believed the message of the angel and the promises of God that He would bless His people through sending His Son. I hope you will take advantage of this time of year to think on the special promises of God.

I hope that while you are thinking about what God has done for us that you see His Son as the Messiah who is able to save all of us from our sins. In the third chapter of John we read that anyone who believes and trusts in Christ to save us from our sin will receive eternal life.

As you think of the promises, I hope you will respond as Mary did – with submission, joy and trust. And I hope it will cause your heart to say, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.” Happy Holidays! Happy rejoicing!

Ann Shorb is a counselor, writer, and speaker. She provides Biblical counseling services for a variety of issues including depression, AD/HD, marital issues, and much more. Her website also provides puppet skits that can be used at home or in church.