Baking & Recipes
for Guests and for Gifts

Traditional Christmas Crafts
Pomanders and herb balls.

Inexpensive Food Gifts
Easy-to-make, clever and cost-efficient!

Easy Homemade Candies
Still looking for something for that hard-to-shop-for person?

Holiday Mix and Gift Recipes
Recipes for various mixes that you can give for special treats, and even for whole meals.

A Tasty Holiday Tradition
It's the time of year to bake, and bake, and bake some more.

Holiday Decorating...for Less!

Oh, Christmas Tree!
Finding the best tree for your budget.

Inexpensive Holiday Centerpieces
Whether it's for your holiday table or the annual banquet, these inexpensive centerpieces will have your table looking festive!

Great Holiday Decor
You don't need a huge budget to make your home an inviting place this Christmas season.

Frugal Christmas Decorations
The nicest holiday decorations are the ones you make yourself.

Inexpensive Gift Ideas

Imaginative Gifts
Good gifts don't have to cost a fortune.

Overgifting
Are too many gifts spoiling your Christmas?

Christmas Gifts Kids Can Make
Much more treasured than any store bought gift.

Great Gifts
Readers share their best ideas.

Thoughtful Gifts for Teachers
Frugal ideas that your child's teacher would really appreciate.

I Gave at the Office!
Inexpensive office gifts.

The Dollar Stretcher Community

Two Dollar Christmas
Gift and decorating ideas.

Good Stocking Stuffers for Little Kids
Don't forget the dollar stores.

Christmas Wrapping Paper
Unique, inexpensive gift wrapping.

Candied Fruit and Fruitcakes
How to make homemade candied fruit.

Gifts in a Jar
Share your ideas with other community members.

Thrifty Gifting - Holiday Parties - Money Savers - Charity

Bankrate's Thrifty Gifting 2007

Find Frugal -- but not Cheap -- Gifts
Give Santa a run for his money without busting your budget -- buy gifts that are frugal, but not cheap.

4 Places to Slash Holiday Costs
Holiday giving can quickly burn a hole in your budget. But gifts are hardly the only expense during this season.

7 Common Holiday Budget Busters
Here's a list you better check twice: the seven top ways not to shop for a frugal holiday season.

7 Splendid Homemade Holiday Gifts
We've searched to the North Pole and beyond for easy, yet impressive, things you can make at home.

6 Tips for Savvy Holiday Shipping
Learn how to determine what shipping options will get your gifts to their destinations safely, on time and without busting your budget.

Be a Gracious Host...and Guest

Throw a Great Holiday Party without Tossing the Budget
You can cut costs by applying smart shopping strategies to your décor, food and beverage purchases.

Tips for Holiday Tipping
If you depend on the services of such people as day-care workers, baby sitters, dog walkers, manicurists, parking attendants, personal trainers or limo drivers, they'd all appreciate a special "thank you" this time of year.

Opening Your Home for the Holidays
Will you survive holiday visitors?

Other Christmas Money Savers

Holiday Time Savers
Who couldn't use more time right about now?

Holiday Travel Tips
Trying to get "over the river and through the woods to Grandmother's house" can be quite a challenge.

Making Christmas Memories
Great memories are the most valuable gift you can give.

Wrap It for Less!
You don't need to go through rolls and rolls of wrapping paper!

Holiday Treats Made Simple
If you would like to save time, and have a variety of goodies available for the holidays, try a cookie swap party.

The Gift of Charity

Leaving a Legacy, Large and Small
Your philanthropy isn't in the seven-figure range? There are various paths to the role of benefactor..

How to Check Out Your Charity
Make sure it's legit before you open your wallet.

Give Your Charitable Donation Extra Power
Add extra power with these strategies for charitable donations.

Gift Cards get in on the Charitable Act
Gift cards are giving buyers and recipients the chance to donate to worthy causes during the holiday season.