We’re right smack in the middle of holiday spending, and as Christmas gets closer, it becomes more and more difficult to stay on budget.
Here are 5 of my favorite small-budget Christmas ideas to help stay on budget during the holidays:
Set a holiday budget. Determine the total amount that you want to spend during the holidays then break it down into smaller categories– like decor, food, donations, and gifts. I divide the gift category even further into immediate and extended family and the come up with a ballpark budget of how much I will spend on each person. Having a rough idea where my money goes, helps me stay on budget.- Shop with a plan. Before I even set foot in a store, I make a list of what I want to buy each person on my holiday shopping list. Sometimes, I have more than one item listed next to each name, but even just a few options within my budget helps me stay on track and not waste time wandering around the mall.
- Collect coupons. I start early with the coupon collecting. Any potential coupon/discount goes immediately into my wallet, so I have it with me whenever the opportunity to use it strikes. When I am making my shopping list, I keep these coupons in mind and try to use at least one for each person on my list. It’s not always possible, but when I do save, it’s definitely worth the effort! The key to this strategy, however, is not buying more just because I saved money.
- Pick a gift-giving theme. A couple of year ago, when my holiday budget was really tight, I decided to buy a book for everyone on my list. A book probably doesn’t sound like the most exciting gift, but I put a lot of thought into each person’s interests and personality to find them the perfect book. Sticking with a theme saved me money, time, and wrapping paper– I just tied each book with a piece of beautiful ribbon. Everyone on my list seemed really pleased with what I picked out for them.
- Use homemade wrapping paper. Last year, I wrapped all of my Christmas gifts in old shopping bags that I dressed up with beautiful ribbons and bows. Making your own wrapping paper is a lot more affordable than buying it and it’s an environmentally-friendly option for the holidays.
Trading Up Downtown Giveaway
Visit the NuVal website and leave a comment about something you learn from the site.
I will randomly pick a winner tomorrow morning to receive a fun holiday-inspired prize, which may or may not include Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride tea. 
**You can earn an extra entry by adding Trading Up Downtown to your blogroll and leaving a comment on this post saying that you did so.
Good luck! 
Developed by an independent panel of nutrition and medical experts, the 
I learned that Cape Cod 40% reduced fat chips (my favs!) have a score of 32. Which is higher than I thought!
Just added Trading Up to my blogroll!
I was SHOCKED to find out that Post Shredded Wheat n’ Bran got a score of 91! I guess I have a new (pretty tasty) alternative to oatmeal…
I learned that blueberries pack a score of 100 and Glutino Pretzel Twists Gluten Free are only given a 1. I’m not surprised by either!
I learned that the All-Bran crackers are not too shabby for being a cracker (score 35)! Only second to Rye Crispbread.
I was pleased to see that broccoli scored 100. All fresh veggies should be that score!
I learned about Western Sweet Wheat Bagels and their fantastic nutrition info…trying to find them in stores now!
And I followed you on Twitter–does that count
I was pleasantly surprised that iceburg lettuce scored as high as it did. I love the lettuce for its crunch but I know that the darker leaves are better. Good to know that I can still enjoy the iceburg!
and i added you to my blogroll!
I just played the “Nutrition By the Numbers” game and was surprised by what I got correct… and by what I scored incorrectly. Very informative!
I learned sweet potatoes score a 96! Thank god because I eat them all the time
I learned about how the NuVal scores work.
P.S. I added Trading Up Downtown to my blogroll.
You’re on my blogroll
I just learned that switching from 2% to 1% milk saves me almost 30 points. And there is no taste difference (to me at least). I wonder what the point for Skim milk would be though.
I learned about how sweet sweet potatoes truly are!
I learned about the NUVAL scoring system
Definitely need to make the switch from 2 percent to 1 percent milk after reading the site!
I learned that my daily morning banana is even more of a nutritional all-star than I thought, with a score of 91! Wow!
i learned that broccoli gets a 100!!!! love those lil trees!
I learned that I should eat more bananas, blueberries, pineapples and grapefruit over other fruit choices.
Trading Up Downtown is on my Blog list! I’m loving this NuVal system.
I was sad to see that Kashi cereals don’t score as high as I would have thought…but I love fruit – so I was glad to see bananas had a great score.
NuVal takes more than 30 nutrients into account in their ratings!
Also…
I learned Pineapple has a score of 99! SWEET! Pineapple is one of my favorites. I think I need to create a Pineapple Upsidedown Cake oatmeal creation of some sort!
I have learned to feel better about iceberg lettuce
I’m surprised at how low the boxed cereals were… like Kashi- I thought it was so healthy… Looks like regular oats wins for brekky!
I can’t believe that Austin Toasty Crackers w/ Peanut Butter that my boyfriend eats ALL the time only scored a 4. I knew they weren’t healthy, but I had no idea they’d rate SO low.
NuVal takes into account not only the quantity of nutrients in a given product but also the quality and density of the nutrients.
And…..now you’re on my blog roll. Yay!
I am reusing a lot of my gift bags this year (the ones that look new) and trying to use up rolls of wrapping paper and ribbon left over from years past. I haven’t had to buy any new ribbon or paper, just new tissue paper.
That blueberries score a 100! yumm!!
I am so excited that bluberries, bananas and brocolli score a 100! I buy them every week…yahoo! I’d super interested about what goes into this scoring process, and can’t wait to see more foods added. I think i’ll take a trip to Price Chopper to see what it is really all about.
I didn’t realize how high frozen green beans were..100!
Enjoy!
From trading up I learned that raisins are a better choice than a Kashi granola bar because of the added sugar and saturated fat in the bar.
Was already on my blogroll!
Enjoy!
Finally got to see the Nuval system in action at a local Price Chopper!
PS Added Trading Up Downtown to my Blogroll
Learned that blueberries (one of my favorite fruits) scores a perfect 100:)
I’m still trying to figure out how to add a blogroll to my blog…but, I did add you to my “Favorites” page. I’m new at this!!
Pineapple and Blueberries 99 and 100!! My two fav fruits! Sweet potato is 99 too, very nice.
And you’re also on my blogroll ;D
It surprised me to learn that Post Healthy Classics Shredded Wheat ‘N Bran Regular has a very high score rating of 91. I’ve kind of assumed if your not an all natural brand such Cascadian Farms or Kashi you wouldn’t not have a high score. This proved me wrong.
I was surprised at the high score for raisins… I thought they would be high in sugar so would receive a lower score….
And I can not get Sugar Cookie Tea here… I soooo want to try it!
I learned avocados are a surprisingly high 89!
I learned that NuVal is at Meijer – which I have in my area. Can’t wait to check it out!
I learned that it is possible for a food to score 100!
I’m surprised at cereal in general
Here we are thinking we’re doing a good job by eating the most important meal of the day. Realizing that eating many cereals has such low nutritional value!
I’m Canadian and have actually been looking at the Nuval system for about a year now! Love it!
I’m surprised at the bread scores. It seems like they would be higher…
I learned that the frozen spinach has a lower score than the fresh – it that due to nutrients lost or something?
I learned that some of my favorite food (i.e. sweet potatoes) have a very high score which makes me happy!
Blueberries = 100
Yay. I love blueberries.
I learned about how the NuVal scores are actually calculated and where i can find them in my town!
I also added you : )
I love the look of brown paper-wrapped gifts. Great idea!
my favorite veggie (broccoli) scores a perfect 100!!! All the more reason to eat it
I knew there was a reason I liked broccoli! Score of 100!
I learned Chips Ahoy cookies got a 2 :O
I also added the blog to my blogroll
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Blueberries – one of my favorite fruits – scores 100! Woo hoo! I’ve been dying to try that tea and can’t find it anywhere
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I learned that Kashi 7 Whole Grain Flakes aren’t much better for me than Honey Bunches of Oats. Good to know!
I learned I need to go buy some green beans! 100 points?!!? Very exciting.
Pineapple has a great score! It’s my favorite!
I was surprised to see that iceburg lettuce had a score of 82, I never really thought that it was that nutritious. I also love that one of my go to veggies, broccoli has a score of 100!
I learned that Kashi Strawberry Fields cereal is WAY lower than I would have hoped – bummer!
What a great/helpful site!
I learned that coconut scores much lower than other fruits, a 24? I wonder if it’s because of the saturated fat?
My breakfast staple since getting pregnant – Quaker Life – has a score of 25. Not great, but better than the Captian Crunch that I really want
I learned that Post Healthy Classics Shredded Wheat and Bran are really healthy! NUVAL Score 91!
I learned that green avocados have a score of 89! Wow!
This blog is on my blog roll too!
I was surprised that clams have a score of 71 while scallops only score a 51. You’d think they are similar creatures, they’d have a similar score. I guess not!
I learned that iceberg lettuce scored higher than spinach. Weird?
added to my blog roll
I was surprised how high iceberg lettuce scored!
I found out that NuVal scores are available not where I live, but somewhere close. Also, I noticed that Kashi cereal isn’t quite as nutritious as you would expect.
i know which frozen pizza scored the highest..south beach..
pizza is my downfall..at least i know the lesser of the evils now..
i love crackers so i just looked at those.. i was really suprised by the scores! thankfully i already eat ryvita rye crackers that score an 87 but i was surpised the Keebler Townhouse Bistro Multi Grain scored a 14. It’s good to remember that multigrain doesn’t always mean healthy!
I played the nutrition by numbers game…I learned a lot just by playing the game!
I learned that the VERY snack I had packed for today (Kashi Trail Mix Bar) didn’t score as high as I had expected it to (34). Whoops!
I learned about the Nuval scores of frozen pizza!
I remember when you wrapped your presents with bags last year. I fell in love with that idea but yours just looked so perfect!
I was surprised to learn pineapple was 99 since I heard people avoid it on biggest loser.
I learned:
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Broccoli = GOOD (100!)
Cheetos = BAD (only 5
All bran crackers have a score of 35!
so happy broccoli scored 100
woo! i totally added this blog to the blogs i follow!! and i totally want sugar cookie teaaaaa
I learned that DiGiorno Rising Crust Pizza is healthier than I thought it was!
I added this blog to my blogroll!
I learned that sometimes the most healthy looking on the outside (Kashi) may not be the healthiest on the the inside.
I learned that turkey breast score higher than chicken breast. Interesting!
ohh it says to pick raisins over a kashi bar for an afternoon snack, I really would not have guessed that
Wow, who knew that Annie’s cheddar bunnies (which I LOVE) score only slightly higher than Reduced Fat Cheez-Its?! Yikes. I’m dying to try the Sleigh Ride tea – can’t find it anywhere in Maine!
I actually found out how they came up with the numbers- I’m excited to see if this is something I can use at my grocery store!
The Arnold’s Flax and Fiber toast I had for breakfast scores a 48.
I learned that blueberries, my all-time fave fruit, score 100! I knew there was a reason I loved them
How high avocados are! Although I shouldn’t have been surprised
I learned that my hubby’s cherrios had a higher score than my organic Kashi Strawberry Fields. Oh the horror!
I learned Totinos Crisp Crust Triple Cheese rates a 3 which is pretty darn close to NO nutritional value at all.
Broccoli scores 100! Go Broccoli!
Wow..I didn’t know much about the NuVal system until checking out the site..it’s very interesting. I’m going to have fun now playing around finding food values!
I learned that Garden of Eatin’ Blue Chips scored highest in the salty snack group. I love these chips with fresh salsa!
Kashi TLC Trail Mix Granola Bars apparently aren’t that great for you…shame since I love them. I guess I’ll have to trade up!
I learned just how nutritious grapefruit is – it earns a score of 99! Wow!
The DiGiorno spinach, mushroom, garlic pizza that i love got a good score, but the Freschetta Pepperoni crispy pizza that my husband loves did not score so well!
I love this system, especially for showing some not-so-health-concious people (like my husband) how easy it is to make better choices!
I learned that Nilla Wafers were an 8, but I’m SO not surprised! I bought them for a recipe, snuck a look at the ingredient list and was shocked at all the junk in those things!
I learned that there really is a reason to eat foods in their most natural state, besides tasting great, they score nearly straight A’s and I am an overachiever I love my perfect scores!
The elusive tea! I must have it! haha
I learned that apparently I need to be eating Hodgson Mill Unprocessed Wheat Bran (Millers Bran) for breakfast…cuz holy cow, it has a score of 100!
I learned that Hodgson Mills wheat bran cereal has a really high score of 100!
I learned that I should eat a lot more grapefruit because it earned a 99 and is really good for me!
I learned that Kashi Trail Mix Granola Bars, which I love, score 33 and can be swapped for raisins that are 91!
I’ve added Trading Up Downtown to my Google Reader/Blogroll
I learned about how AWESOME bananas & blueberries are…2 of my favorite fruits! YAY!
I found out that my Price Chopper has NuVal. I am pretty cautious of what I buy and look at labels, but not everyone does. Just a slight recommendation, that there be more easy to understand information for those people who don’t usually read labels, i think its a greaty system so far!
sweet potatoes score a 96! Sweet!
I learned that sweet potatoes have a score of 96….how sweet that is
I learned that boneless chicken breast scores a 39. A lot lower than I expected!
I eat sooo many grapefruits during the winter season and was happy to hear they have a score of 99!
Pineapple scores 99
I;m surprised how high iceberg lettuce scored!
I learned about the NUVAL scoring system
I learned that one of the only frozen dinner items I eat (South Beach pepperoni pizza) gets a 25 rating and it’s the highest score for frozen pizzas! Score!
I just added Trading Up Downtown to my blogroll too:)
I learned that the banana I just ate has a score of 91 – not that I was too worried it would be low since it’s fruit, but still nice to know
I learned that Kashi TLC Tasty Little Chewy Oatmeal cookies has the highest cookie score.
It is cool that you can suggest a grocery store for NuVal! I would love to see the scores in my store.
I added this blog to my GoogleReader
I learned that frozen veggies have almost the same score as fresh veggies!
I learned that I really need NuVal in my grocery stores! I just contacted two stores in my area to suggest that they start using Nuval!
i learned that im horrible at the nutrition by the numbers game:(
My daily banana obsession is actually great for me (91 points!!)
Bananas have a score of 91. Which is AWESOME because I have atleast one banana a day.
I learned that my favorite frozen veggie go to lunch item only scores 25 on the Nuval score.
However my 2 favorite fruits bananas and pineapples score 91 and 99 
I learned that Kashi cookies are pretty darn nutritious! kudos to Kashi! (ahhh kudos…i used to eat those…)
i learned that the nuval system is really easy to use!! i like that it is at meijer and can be easily incorporated in the way that i shop for food!
have been connected to the trading up website since day 1!
I learned that Totinos pizza pretty much blows on the NuVal scale…pretty much lived off that stuff when I was a tyke! Good thing I’ve moved on to better things.
Green giant cut green beans ( steamable) scored a 100! What an easy way to get more nutrition!
i learned that kashi cereal is not always the best…so now i have switched to shredded wheat n’ bran
i learned that guac is waaay better for me that i ever thought! awesome!
I learned about trading up from TLC granola bars to Raisins for a snack!
I also added you to my reader’s blogroll!
I learned that broccoli scores 100! wow!
Disappointed to learn that kashi cereal did not score as high as I thought it would – very happy to learn that bananas and pineapple do score well.
Added to my blogroll
NuVal takes more than 30 nutrients and nutrition factors into account when developing a score.
I learned that my PB banana wrap i have every morning is jam packed with nutrients! a super star 91 for those bananas!! loveeee it
I learned that Shredded Wheat is a cereal nutrition superstar!
I’ve added Trading up Downtown to my blogroll!
I learned that berries have a perfect score!
gold star for the blueberry!
I learned that my beloved Teddy Grahams score a 24, which actually doesn’t seem all too bad for a cookie…
Tortilla chips aren’t too shabby! Now I can justify eating them! woohoo!
Kashi Strawberry Fields is only 11!! What happened there?
broccoli scores a perfect 100– my favorite food!
I learned to trade up from applesauce to a red delicious apple.
i learned that cape cod reduced fat potato chips weren’t SO bad, and grapefruit couldnt be much better!
i learned brocolli (only the best ever) scores REALLY high
I learned that Chewy Chips Ahoy chocolate chip cookies (my favorite packaged cookies) have an abysmally low score (2). I knew they couldn’t be high, but ouch!
I love that veggies, especially frozen ones, score so high!
I linked to Trading Up Downtown on my blogroll!
They have scores for frozen pizza – which is awesome if I could ever find A.C. Larocco’s frozen pizzas in stores.
I learned that I might be able to find NuVal scores at Meijer! Which I need to go investigate…
I am happy that avocados are an 89!!
i added you to my blogroll
I learned that Soy Milk has better score then cow’s milk. I hope they add almond and rice milks soon!
I added you to my Google Reader
I learned that not every food category has a same point range!
Hey Tina, I love your newest creation! I added it to my Blogroll on http://runfoodierun.com/
Take care!
Patricia
that sardines (fresh of course) are one of the highest scoring fish! – who knew?
i learned How the Scoring Works
NuVal Scores summarize comprehensive nutritional information in one simple number between 1 and 100. Each NuVal Score takes into account more than just the nutrition fact panel. It considers 30-plus nutrients and nutrition factors – the good (protein, calcium, vitamins) and the not-so-good (sugar, sodium, cholesterol). And then it boils it down into a simple, easy-to-use number; a number you can trust to make better decisions about nutrition in just a few seconds.
I learned that 1% milk is 26 points higher on the scale than 2%. Didn’t think there would be that much difference!
I learned that I should eat as much unprocessed food as possible.
I learned that Hodgson Mill Unprocessed Wheat Bran (Millers Bran)has a score of 100!!!
That Sun Maid raisins are scored 91 by NuVal!! thats high!
I played nutrition by the numbers and learned that Unprocessed oat bran is a 100.
I learned that brocoli has a score of 100. I can overdose on it..:)
I learned that a lot of “healthier” options I’ve been choosing may not be quite so healthy! This was a real eye opener! Yikes! Thanks!
I learned that the Garden of Eatin’ Blue Chips All Natural Tortilla Chips are my best choice for chips with a score of 40.
I learned that is is ok to indulge during the holidays, as long as you make smart choices the rest of the year.
I learned that my some of my favorites have even greater nutritional value than I knew! Broccoli-100, Bananas-100, and Green Beans-100!
You’re also added to my blogroll
South Beach Living Pepperoni Pizza with Harvest Wheat Crust has a high score. I might have to pick some up, instead of my usual…
I have been playing the nutrition by the numbers game, and I am not too shabby at it! I also learned that some “so called” healthy options — aren’t too healthy in terms of the scale!
I learned that Kashi TLC Tasty Little Chewy Oatmeal cookies have a NuVal score of 40. That’s pretty good for cookies, I thought!
enter contests and hope I win???
I just recently discovered the NuVal numbers are my local grocery store! It makes shopping so much easier!
I have learned that I think Nuval is amazing and I wish it was in Canada too!!
I learned about the NuVal system. Amazing! Hope it makes its way to Canada soon!
I’ve been browsing the NuVal site since you started talking about it. I learned that the granola my husband and I buy actually scores pretty well and that made me happy
I have also added Trading Up Downtown to my blogroll…http://ahealthyjd.wordpress.com/.
Yay for broccoli getting a 100!!! It might be my favorite veggie! I love tiny edible trees!
I found the cereal ratings to be very helpful! It’s amazing how sugary some of the “healthy” ones are. I can’t wait to see the list expand much further!
I learned that coconut actually has a really low rating score! darn haha but it’s good to know!
I’m very surprised that Ellio’s pizza actually has a fairly decent score! I never would have guessed!
I would give anything to win that tea!! Craving some!
Added you to my blogroll under “Insightful Reading”!
I learned that The NuVal System was developed by an independent panel of nutrition and medical experts