Holiday tips for shopping, deals and going green

Here are some tips, suggestions and ideas to get you and your wallet through the holidays.

Holiday parties for less:

Entertaining on a budget usually requires some imagination so get creative with the food you serve, how you decorate and think about different ways to exchange gifts.

•Stick with one “signature cocktail” beverage for the evening. This way you won’t have to spend a small fortune at the liquor store and you can make drinks in large batches instead of single servings.
•Use mirrors or other items around the house as table decorations.
•Consider using large, glass vases or bowls and filling them with potpourri, ornaments or inexpensive holiday candy. These will be elegant and eye catching.
•Use candles and low lights to create a relaxing, holiday mood.
•Take advantage of after-season sales. We all know that the day after Christmas many holiday or seasonal items get marked down 50% or more. Take advantage of the deals and set these items aside for next year or simply have a holiday party after the holidays.
•Instead of sending out fancy or handmade invitations, use e-mail to send the invitations. Utilize free services such as Facebook.com, Twitter.com, free-ecards-invitations.com or evite.com.

Thrifty holiday shopping and gift giving:

Let’s face it; times are tough so we all have to be smart about what we purchase and where we purchase it from. Utilize local businesses and Web sites for good deals and savings.

•There is a variety of Web sites that offer discounts to local restaurants, businesses and other services. Some of our favorite gift card discount Web sites include: nhgiftcards.com, goodeatsnh.com, and restaurants.com. Many of these sites offer half price gift cards or savings up to 60% off. Besides restaurants, nhgiftcards.com offers discounts on ski lift tickets, spa and salon services, hotels and more.
•When you’re online shopping, make sure you shop on sites that offer free shipping. Amazon.com is a great site filled with a variety of gifts and most purchases over $25 are free to ship.
•Do your homework and compare prices. Don’t settle for the first deal you see, chances are there’s a better price for your item on another Web site or in another store. Also be sure to keep an eye on the Sunday ads and promotions.
•Before you hit the mall or online stores, create a budget and stick to it. Figure out exactly what you want to buy for people and how much you intend to spend.

Green wrapping, gifts and decorations:

Going green for the holidays might be easier than you think.

•It might seem silly, but save wrapping paper from old presents to reuse it throughout the holiday season. Wrapping paper makes up about 8,000 tons of waste during Christmastime. Using newspapers or grocery bags are also encouraged. Even more convenient during the holiday season is to reuse gift bags.
•Shop locally and try to find something handmade. Shopping locally will likely ensure that the item hasn’t been shipped from overseas and hasn’t put a stress on the environment or ozone layer.
•Purchase a recycled or eco-friendly item such as handbags, candles or wooden boxes.
•Regift items that you won’t use. If you know someone would like something you’ll never use it’s okay to give it to them. It’s better to see something get used than to sit in your attic or garage collecting dust.
•Invest in lower energy lights such as LED lights. It might cost you a little more for energy efficient bulbs but the savings on the environment is incomparable. Purchase solar powered light bulbs for an even better way to save energy costs.
•Turn exterior and interior holiday lights off if you’re not at home or are in bed.
•Although it’s debatable, purchase a live tree not a fake one. Fake trees, although reusable, are made from petroleum products and require manufacturing and shipping resources. Once discarded, these trees are sent to landfills. You can also consider purchasing a potted live tree to replant when the holiday season is over. Trees can also be used for mulch for gardens.