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With that said, here's something to remember: Years from now, your kids won't remember what you gave them for Christmas. They'll remember the time you spent with them. So why not look for ways to share your time and talents with those you love and create memories to last a lifetime?

Start making a list. Who do you typically spend money on for gifts? Friends, young children or grandchildren, adult children, spouses and significant others. You may even buy gifts of appreciation for the crossing guard or school teacher. If so, when you're trying to pare down, those gifts can probably be simplified versions of what you would give to even a close friend.

For example:

Friends - My friends and I agreed to quit exchanging gifts several years ago. Instead, we meet for lunch and enjoy one another's company. If you just can't meet anyone empty handed, share something of yourself. Because almost everyone else gives cookies, I bake bread. I've never wanted to be like everyone else! If you want to jazz it up, wrap it in clear wrap and tie it with a fancy ribbon. If you really want to go overboard, put it in a basket you already own and include a jar of homemade jam. If you don't have a basket, just wrap a shoe box with holiday paper inside and out. The idea is to look and see what you have that you can pass on. (Read my article on regifting.) One of the most appreciated gifts from a co-worker was a holiday pot holder! She didn't even bother to wrap it - she just ran a curly ribbon through the loop with a gift tag. At first it seemed silly, but I can't tell you how many times I've given that gift since! If you watch, sometimes you can find pot holders at two for a dollar. If you want, you can add a plate of your favorite treats, but most people are just thrilled to get a new pot holder to replace their burned and torn ones!

Children and Grandchildren - Some of my best times with my grandchildren have been when we are just doing things together. I don't own a Playstation or any other electronic games, so when they come to my house, we actually play together. They love hide and seek inside, or just going for walks outside. They also love to read and to have someone read to them. One of our books has been read so often that even the preschool kids have it memorized. It's called What Grandma's Do Best, and when you flip it around, it has What Grandpa's Do Best. I love the comparisons. There's nothing better than having that grandchild's total attention, and it's a great excuse for snuggling! Check out your local dollar store or even used book stores. A couple of years ago I found The Polar Express at my local dollar store. The price on the cover was $9.95 ! I bought about ten of them and both children and adults have enjoyed them as gifts. I just tied a ribbon around the book with no wrapping paper. Just one way of saving a few trees!

Adult Children - These adult children are the ones who overspend on their own kids! A couple of years ago I bought my daughter's family an annual membership to the zoo. They enjoyed it many times that year. I know this isn't original, but a coupon book is something all parents will enjoy if you include coupons offering something they need or want. Instead of going out and buying gift cards for restaurants, give a coupon for a free lunch at their favorite place. When they want to redeem it, you'll have to cough up the price of the meal, but at least you're not spending it all right now. Other coupons might include babysitting (something grandparents usually do anyway!), or cooking a meal, or mending clothing. In times when we need to use up or make do, we need to fix what we have instead of tossing it out. Maybe one of your coupons might be to teach your adult child or their spouse how to do something. These are all meaningful coupons for services that will allow you to share time and learn from each other. My kids and I cook for each other. When my son smokes a brisket, he either invites us over, or he'll bring it to us. When I make lasagne, I make an extra batch to give my daughter. When she cooks gumbo, there's always plenty for us. I love knowing that I don't have to prepare a meal for that day, and that's something anyone can appreciate.

Spouses and Significant Others - Several years ago we acknowledged that we already have more than we need. We also realized that there's not much we can buy for each other that we wouldn't already have bought for ourselves. We decided to play Secret Santa for those who weren't quite so fortunate. We have had so much fun gathering things and delivering them anonymously. If you've never done that, or maybe aren't in a position to do anything for anyone else this year, please sit down with your spouse and talk about Christmas. Whatever you do, don't go into debt for your purchase. On my last birthday, I told my husband and kids I didn't want anything. I just wanted us to meet together for dinner at my daughter's house, and I wanted everyone to be happy. We had such a good time. We enjoyed a good meal together, we ate cake, and then played Outdoor Adventure with their Nintendo Wii. It's a birthday I'll never forget, and you know what? I didn't go home feeling like I'd missed out on anything.

I know if you start planning now, and get creative, you'll think of lots of ways that you can make someone else's Christmas special without having to spend a lot of money, and certainly without having to use your credit cards.