262684 526 Holidays & Celebrations Christmas true Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:03:30 -0800 /system/videos/2/18/73/26/267318.flv celebrating,christmas,budget,money,spending,cheaper,economy,less,buying,smarter,deals,bargains How To Celebrate Christmas on a Budget http://www.howcast.com/videos/262684-How-To-Celebrate-Christmas-on-a-Budget http://www.howcast.com/videos/262684-How-To-Celebrate-Christmas-on-a-Budget/edit approved 118 640 360 <object width="425" height="273" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" id="howcastplayer"><param name="movie" value="http://www.howcast.com/flash/howcast_player.swf?file=262684"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.howcast.com/flash/howcast_player.swf?file=262684" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="273" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" ></embed></object> 2 carlo_scialla http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/262684/christmas_budget_hdstill01_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg 208 false false false 99611 0 18 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/262684/18.jpg Set a budget Set an overall gift budget and use it to determine how much you can spend on each person on your list. Make sure you stick to it!

]]> 99612 1 26 Tip Consider a family agreement to buy gifts for the children only.

]]> 99613 2 30 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/262684/30.jpg Use the internet Search for gifts on eBay, Craigslist, and sites that offer discontinued or overstock items. Use price comparison web sites to ensure you’re getting the best deal, and look for rebates.

]]> 99614 3 42 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/262684/42.jpg Buy secondhand Check out thrift shops, secondhand stores, and pawn shops – the latter in particular offer great savings on jewelry, watches, and electronics.

]]> 99615 4 51 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/262684/51.jpg Learn how to haggle Learn how to haggle. You can often get a discount just by asking for it, especially if it’s a small store, you’re a good customer, and you offer to pay in cash. Just remember to be polite and ask discreetly.

]]> 99616 5 63 Tip Always ask salespeople if there are any coupons, promotions, or discounts available.

]]> 99617 6 69 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/262684/69.jpg Make it yourself Bake holiday treats from scratch to reduce costs, and consider giving some of them as gifts. Start scanning supermarket flyers a few weeks in advance for sales on baking supplies so you can stock up when prices are low.

]]> 99618 7 81 Tip Butter stays good in the freezer for several months.

]]> 99619 8 85 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/262684/85.jpg Save on decorations Find ways to save on decorations. If you buy a real Christmas tree, make a wreath out of trimmings. Fill colorful bowls and vases with edibles, like fruit and nuts. Turn stemware upside down and put votive candles on the base for an unusual candleholder, or float votives in the glasses right side up.

]]> 99620 9 102 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/262684/102.jpg Trim your card list Trim your holiday card list by only sending greetings to people you rarely see. Then shop the post-Christmas sales to stock up for next year!

]]> 99621 10 110 Fact The average American family spends over $1,000 on Christmas.

]]> 526 39947 How To Snag the Best Bargains on Black Friday HowcastGuide 5538 Tue, 18 Nov 2008 06:01:39 -0800 16 carlo_scialla ]]> 126 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/5/47/99/03/39947.flv holidays, christmas, shopping, bargains, discounts, saving, money, buying, gifts, presents Holidays & Celebrations Christmas 0 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/39947/black_friday_hd_1_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/39947-How-To-Snag-the-Best-Bargains-on-Black-Friday 526 70824 How To Pick Up Extra Cash At Holiday Time HowcastGuide 2550 Thu, 20 Nov 2008 06:02:39 -0800 9 Jordana_Giorgio ]]> 165 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/5/24/08/07/70824.flv holidays, christmas, xmas, making, money, side, jobs, working, seasonal Holidays & Celebrations Christmas 0 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/70824/extra_cash_holidays_hd_2_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/70824-How-To-Pick-Up-Extra-Cash-At-Holiday-Time 526 95545 How To Choose a Real Christmas Tree HowcastGuide 1489 Tue, 09 Dec 2008 08:15:46 -0800 7 carlo_scialla ]]> 104 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/2/45/55/09/95545.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, holiday, holidays, christmas Holidays & Celebrations Christmas 2 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/95545/choose_xmas_tree_hd_3_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/95545-How-To-Choose-a-Real-Christmas-Tree 526 262449 How To Give Secret Santa Gifts People Will Actually Like HowcastGuide 229 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 07:17:35 -0800 2 vinzfeller ]]> 108 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/1/71/81/26/268171.flv giving,secret,santa,gifts,christmas,presents,picking,choosing,deciding,exchanging Holidays & Celebrations Christmas 0 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/262449/secret_santa_hdstill01_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/262449-How-To-Give-Secret-Santa-Gifts-People-Will-Actually-Like 526 262692 How To Host Your First Christmas Dinner HowcastGuide 401 Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:03:30 -0800 1 carlo_scialla ]]> 134 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/5/28/73/26/267328.flv hosting,throwing,party,christmas,dinner,eve,food,guests,giving,setting,preparing,ready,celebrating,house,decorating Holidays & Celebrations Christmas 0 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/262692/first_christmas_dinner_hdstill02_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/262692-How-To-Host-Your-First-Christmas-Dinner 526 262706 How To Pick the Perfect Stocking Stuffer HowcastGuide 216 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 07:32:38 -0800 2 vinzfeller ]]> 82 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/1/99/81/26/268199.flv holidays,celebrations,picking,choosing,perfect,stocking,stuffers,christmas,presents,gifts,giving,presents Holidays & Celebrations Christmas 0 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/262706/perfect_stocking_stuffer_hdstill01_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/262706-How-To-Pick-the-Perfect-Stocking-Stuffer 526 268754 How To Prevent Common Christmas Disasters HowcastGuide 565 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:03:45 -0800 2 carlo_scialla ]]> 125 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/6/64/29/27/272964.flv preventing,christmas,disasters,problems,holidays,hosting,cooking,dinner,parties,throwing,giving,gifts,presents Holidays & Celebrations Christmas 0 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/268754/prevent_common_christmas_disasters_2_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/268754-How-To-Prevent-Common-Christmas-Disasters 523 5955 How To Celebrate Cinco De Mayo HowcastGuide 2595 Fri, 02 May 2008 11:58:23 -0700 15 adamjohnson ]]> 111 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/5/55/59/5955.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, holidays, holiday, celebration, celebrations, parties, party, celebrate, celebrating, cinco, de, mayo, 5, 5th, may, mexico, Mexican, independence, day Holidays & Celebrations General Holidays & Parties 2 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/5955/celebrate_cinco_de_mayo_sd_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/5955-How-To-Celebrate-Cinco-De-Mayo 523 113483 How To Make Confetti HowcastGuide 2092 Tue, 30 Dec 2008 04:04:33 -0800 15 Milkhouse ]]> 192 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/6/83/34/11/113483.flv holidays, celebrations, making, showering, home, throwing, celebrating, parties, party, new Holidays & Celebrations General Holidays & Parties 1 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/113483/confetti_hd_1_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/113483-How-To-Make-Confetti 523 145303 How To Escape a Bad Party Conversation HowcastGuide 4374 Tue, 17 Feb 2009 04:08:42 -0800 11 bencheek ]]> 88 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/4/03/53/14/145303.flv holidays, celebrations, escaping, losing, talking, leaving, social, etiquette, socializing, meeting Holidays & Celebrations General Holidays & Parties 3 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/145303/escape_bad_party_conversation_sd_2_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/145303-How-To-Escape-a-Bad-Party-Conversation 523 262327 How To Dress Properly According To the Invitation HowcastGuide 1487 Sat, 10 Oct 2009 04:06:08 -0700 12 CharlesH ]]> 147 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/0/58/17/26/261758.flv dressing,properly,etiquette,fashion,style,invitaiton,party,semiformal,formal,dressy,casual,wearing,clothes,clothing Holidays & Celebrations General Holidays & Parties 0 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/262327/Charles_Huettner_Dress_Right_hd_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/262327-How-To-Dress-Properly-According-To-the-Invitation 523 253649 How To Set Up a Hayride HowcastGuide 1367 Mon, 05 Oct 2009 04:05:45 -0700 6 Equilibrio ]]> 103 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/6/51/85/25/258551.flv setting,up,haunted,hayride,hay,ride,giving,halloween,celebrating,scary,making,creating Holidays & Celebrations General Holidays & Parties 1 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/253649/SET_UP_A_HAYRIDE_4_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/253649-How-To-Set-Up-a-Hayride 523 262698 How To Celebrate the Holidays in an Interfaith Marriage HowcastGuide 178 Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:03:30 -0800 0 bencheek ]]> 107 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/0/37/73/26/267337.flv celebrating,holidays,interfaith,jewish,catholic,christian,wife,husband,religious,traditions,honoring,balancing,christmas,hanukkah,both Holidays & Celebrations General Holidays & Parties 0 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/262698/interfaith_marriage_hdstill01_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/262698-How-To-Celebrate-the-Holidays-in-an-Interfaith-Marriage 528 2568 How To Arrange an Easter Egg Hunt HowcastGuide 969 Tue, 18 Mar 2008 07:26:08 -0700 10 whitenoiz ]]> 168 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/6/68/25/2568.flv arrange, arranging, children, DIY, Do It Yourself, easter, egg, Essential Skills, holiday, holidays, host, hosting, hunt, hunting, Instructional, kids, Learn to, plan, planning, throw, throwing, Tips, tutorial Holidays & Celebrations Easter 1 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/2568/ppn_dixon_easter_egg_hunt_nobug_sd_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/2568-How-To-Arrange-an-Easter-Egg-Hunt 529 70810 How To Re-gift Without Getting Caught HowcastGuide 2736 Sun, 16 Nov 2008 06:01:50 -0800 10 ContinentalDriftMedia ]]> 120 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/5/10/08/07/70810.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, holidays, christmas, birthday Holidays & Celebrations Gift Giving 0 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/70810/regift_hd_1_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/70810-How-To-Regift-Without-Getting-Caught