SALT LAKE CITY — It can be hard getting into the holiday spirit when it takes a bite out of the family budget. Here are a few money-saving tips that will put some cheer back into this season of giving.

Shop early. Don’t wait until December 1st to start making purchases, which tends to lead to a quickly-depleted paycheck or a whopping credit card bill in the new year. Check out some suggestions for buying presents early at eHow, or try sites such as Amazon and Real Simple for help making shopping lists. There are even phone apps to download that will keep all of the information you need right at your side.

Shop late. That is, after the holidays are over. At The Huffington Post, shoppers can find the best sales for those clearance items that will make perfect gifts next Christmas. Home decor, greeting cards, non-perishable gift packs and other seasonal items can be had for a steal. Non-seasonal items like lotions, jewelry, toys and other knick-knacks can also often be found and double as birthday and other occasion gifts as well.

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Set a budget. It’s wise to take out that list and check it twice so there aren’t too many surprises. Know how much you have to work with, decide how much per person to spend, and then stick to it. There will always be the family member who thinks that gifts of electronics and expensive clothing express their love (and bank account!). Accept those gifts graciously, but don’t be tempted to follow suit.Make it personal. A family picture taken last summer might make a perfect gift for the grandparents, especially if placed in a picture frame that matches their decor. Or perhaps you have a special skill that other recipients would appreciate. Do you teach scuba diving? Are you a flower- arranging expert? Could you watch someone’s kids in your home for a weekend? Don’t underestimate the gift of yourself during the holiday season.

Recycle. Keep gift bags, large sections of wrapping paper and bows from the year before. No one will know if when something’s been cut down to size or spiffed up with some ribbon. Kids’ artwork on large pieces of butcher paper can make an endearing covering for family gifts, or try the comics section from the newspaper.

Get crafty. Why buy an expensive table centerpiece when you can make one?There’s nothing children love more than to make homemade ornaments and decorations. Decorations can be easily made from pinecones or pine boughs, leaves and branches. Ornaments are just waiting to be made out of that leftover egg carton and gift tissue wrap. Need some advice? There are hundreds of Web sites you can browse, many of which teach you to make these items out of supplies you may already have. Try Craftideas.com or Family Fun magazine's Web site for starters.Food for thought. Read grocery circulars for seasonal deals and coupons. While one person may not need that free turkey that comes when they make a $100 purchase, it could make a nice gift for someone else or be appreciated by a local food bank. Stock up on storable sale items a few months in advance and then when family parties approach, take the initiative and call early in order to volunteer to bring items that are already in the kitchen pantry.

Make it or bake it. Have children make homemade gifts for their friends. Look for ideas in national magazines, on the Web, or request catalogs that showcase products like Jell-O, Eagle Brand milk, Hershey’s chocolate, etc., which always have a holiday fun section. While making homemade treats for neighbors and business associates will undoubtedly be cheaper, a little cellophane and shimmery ribbon will make items look gourmet. Again, look for ideas in magazines or borrow ideas from companies that specialize in homemade gifts that are delivered. Ideas can usually be duplicated for half the price, whether it’s a fruit basket or chocolate-covered popcorn.

Kim Grant has written for magazines like LDSLiving, the Washington Family, Back Home, Parents & Kids, and Natural Life. She has two novels with Covenant Communications. Her website is at www.kcgrant.com.

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