What are your best money saving tips for Christmas?

If you shop on Amazon, add the things you plan to purchase to a shopping list as early as you can. Then keep an eye on the list to watch for prices to drop. Order things as they go on sale.

Discuss cutting back on gift giving with extended family - you might be surprised how welcome this idea is. Maybe you'll all just do gifts for the kids and skip the adults, or draw names and just buy for one family member.

If you want to bring your family to see The Nutcracker, ask around to see if there's an excellent local one put on by a ballet school. We have a fabulous one near us that we have seen multiple times, and they hire professional dancers for certain roles. Tickets are cheaper, and we don't have to drive downtown.

I like to keep a list of the things I buy for my family. It makes me more intentional about purchases, and helps avoid the last minute impulse buys to make sure I have "enough" or "equal" gifts for everyone.