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the smart cookies

The decision to nix traditional gift-giving this season was easy - most of my loved ones are planning a similarly scaled-back holiday this year. As for that handful of friends determined to go ahead with our annual Oprah-inspired gift exchange, a $20 spending cap made sure our "favourite things" don't elicit the same sticker shock as those chosen by Miss O (no digital cameras or diamond necklaces for us).

We even decided to ditch the wrapping paper, ribbons and bows, which can cost almost as much as the gift inside, and use the fashion pages of old magazines and the travel section of newspaper pages instead. The difference - certainly in terms of friendship, love, and cheer - went unnoticed. If you're looking for a simplified, savvy holiday season, here are some tips:

Greeting cards I got my first holiday e-card last week - a bit early, but thoughtful and funny nonetheless. When you send free cards from sites like Hallmark.com and BlueMountain.com, you're giving Mother Nature a pretty nice gift too. Or you could choose to pay a fee - between $5 and $10 - to access a wider selection of virtual cards. If you need a stack of paper cards to send to business clients, visit CharityVillage.com to find organizations that use the proceeds from greeting card sales to benefit a good cause.

Purchase points Scour your brain for purchase points and rewards - Petro-Points, Optimum Rewards, Airmiles, etc. - you forgot about or don't know what to do with. It's the perfect time to cash these in for some of the items on your gifts-to-give list. Start by getting organized at Points.com, then head over to LoyaltyMatch.com, where you can make purchases with points or miles instead of cash.

Shop online Save time, money and your sanity by shopping online this season. Futureshop.ca offers complimentary shipping for purchases over $39; so does Toysrus.ca when you spend $75 or more. To find other retailers with similar deals, head over to www.FreeShippingCanada.com. Cop a few bucks for your holiday buys; check out Ebates.com. Free registration lets you peruse thousands of stores and earn cash back for every online purchase made (4 to 5 per cent of what you spend, on average).

And while you're online, click to become a Facebook fan of your favourite retailers or follow them on Twitter. Many offer coupons and discount codes exclusively through their social media campaigns.

Decor do's Decorating diva Martha Stewart has some great seasonal spruce-ups for your home and holiday table that cost less. If you want an even lower price point for any item Stewart recommends, you'll likely find a worthy substitute at the dollar store. When it comes to décor and gifts, handmade by kids is hard to beat. Also, where décor is concerned take advantage of what you already have and don't go over the top; dimmed lights, glowing candles and holiday music playing softly in the background are often enough to set a festive tone.

Holiday host Don't cancel your annual holiday party because you can't afford to cater. Potlucks are a great way to feel festive without feeling the pinch - not to mention the stress. As The Etiquette Ladies owner Louise Fox points out: "In providing the venue there is a huge amount of work involved. You have to clean the house, spiffy the kids and make sure your husband looks half decent."

Fox says you should be up front and let your guests weigh in on what they can contribute to your potluck party. "Today we don't know what someone's financial situation is like. You have no idea how people are really doing. So you'll always want to give people the option of what to bring."

Seasonal spirits Hosting a seasonal shindig? Think spirits. A 750-millilitre bottle of wine pours just six drinks - four times fewer than the 26 bevvies contained in one 26-ounce bottle of the hard stuff. Next, close the open bar and serve a specialty drink instead. LCBO.com features a list of signature-worthy cocktails - or pick a recipe and give it your own unique twist. And since it's rare anyone will taste the difference in a mixed drink between a high-end liquor label and something slightly cheaper, opt for the cheaper version. Twenty-six ounces of Alberta Springs vodka will cost you $22.65. The same ounce bottle of Roberto Cavalli vodka will cost you $96.90. Seriously? Who buys designer vodka! Similarly, if you're serving wine (connoisseurs, please skip to the next tip), buy a less costly but still tasty bottle and pour it into a decanter to save face. Don't be shy about asking the liquor store staff for help in finding the right bottle to execute this plan.

If what you do for the holidays is done in the right spirit - large price tag or not - you can't go wrong. As for any Scrooge who manages to find fault in your efforts, take Fox's advice: strike him or her off your list for Christmases to come.

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