STEP 1: Decide how much money the family can afford to spend. Write the figure down. Do not increase it regardless of how much tips, bonus, cash gifts you receive.

STEP 2: Have each member of the family write their Christmas list to a maximum of three persons.

STEP 3: Purchase Christmas cards in bulk from charitable organisations such as the Mustard Seed Communities, Sir John Golding Rehabilitation Centre, or Youth Opportunities Unlimited etc.

STEP 4: Pay cash, every time! Always avoid popping out that credit card. Leave them at home for emergencies.

STEP 5: Go off the beaten track. Avoid the malls and check out the small novelty stores.

STEP 6: Use old cards and photos to create your own Christmas wrapping paper; Have the toddlers do hand prints between the photos you have glued to cotton gauze (available in various colours), then use ribbons to tie the gift into a sack-like shape. This adds to the gift as a keepsake.

STEP 7: Check back on the money you have saved with these ideas and put that amount in a money market account towards next year's Christmas gifts. The savings may surprise you.