Making a list, and sighing over the cost

We have already sat down with a list and decided on most of our Christmas gifts. So far our total is around $500 for non-family members. I will be trying to reduce that as much as possible; I'd like my husband's family to start drawing names, rather than having to buy for two sisters-in-law, three brothers-in-law and six nephews and nieces, just on his side. Plus his parents. More than half our total budget will be on his family. *sigh*

Here is a great article from Kiplinger about some online tools to reduce the costs of the holidays. I am starting to feel like my father, dreading the holiday season and the loads of money it requires spending...

Sure, Thanksgiving is the traditional kick-off to the holiday shopping season. But why not get a head start before the crowds? Think of the lull between Halloween and Thanksgiving as the calm before the storm. You can take advantage of this time to prepare your budget, draw up gift lists, comparison shop for the best deals or even look for ways to earn extra cash this season.