Frugal Tip - Save the Christmas Gift Wrap

Not really a practical tip for little kids, who tend to tear right through the wrapping on presents, but older children and adults can certainly take a little more care in unwrapping gifts in order to preserve the paper for future uses. And taking the time to do it carefully helps stretch out the time involved in the gift exchanging, which can be nice if there aren't that many gifts being given this year. An added bonus, when you pull out the saved wrapping paper next year, you'll be reminded of the good memories from this Christmas, and so might your friends and family who receive a gift wrapped in the reused paper.

Free Christmas Gift!

Your time is truly a free gift you can give, and possibly one of the most valued. When you were a kid, did you ever make those 'gift certificates' for your parents, like "This (card, coupon, etc) is good for one day of taking out the trash (or doing the dishes, cleaning up your room without a hassle, etc)", or have you had your own kids do that? Why not do adult versions? Offer friends with little ones a night out to themselves and you'll watch their kids for free, or older family members a day when you come over and help with chores that might be difficult for them to do on their own. You might even be able to start a new tradition, exchanging some time with loved ones instead of exchanging presents.