<em><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-3658" style="margin: 8px;" title="Winter" src="http://writingtosanity.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Winter-300x225.jpg" alt="Winter" width="200" height="125" />The holidays should be a time of peace and enjoyment. Here are five tips to help you enjoy your holidays without the excess to which we've grown accustomed.</em>

<strong>Save Money Holiday Shopping</strong>

<em>written by <a title="Kelly Kinkaid" href="http://kellyology.net" target="_blank">Kelly Kinkaid</a> for <a href="http://www.thecentsiblelife.com/about/" target="_blank">the centsible life</a>, a blog where motherhood and money meet.</em>

<strong>TOP TIP: Don’t forget about budgeting for charity gift giving.</strong>

Haven’t you heard the commercials? Christmas time is a time for giving. Joking aside, the winter holiday season is a wonderful opportunity to help your children learn about how to give to others who might be struggling. Every year on my list we have a special category for charitable giving. The family picks this charity together, we set the budget together, and we shop for it together.

<a href="http://www.thecentsiblelife.com/2011/11/save-money-holiday-shopping/" target="_blank">...read more...</a>

<strong>Christmas on a budget? Oh, yeah!</strong>

<em>written by Maria at <a href="http://www.themoneyprinciple.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Money Principle</a>, this is a guest post on the Saved Quarter blog site.</em>

<strong>TOP TIP: We shall have fun, not entertainment</strong>.

We have got so much into the idea of entertainment that we have forgotten how to have fun. Fun doesn’t have to cost a fortune; in fact having fun doesn’t have to cost anything. It just takes a bit of reflection and a bit of forward planning. It is also important not to assume what members of the family would like to do; better ask.

We assume that taking our children to an adventure park is really fun. But think back? What is the most fun you ever had as a child? For me, the most fun was not in an adventure park but in a park. I still remember my mum laughing and playing with me, and my dad looking at us with an expression combining pride, joy and contentment. Now this was fun.

This year, we will discuss as a family what fun we shall have. And do it…

<a href="http://thesavedquarter.com/2011/11/christmas-on-a-budget-yea/" target="_blank">...read more...</a>

<strong>Use the 5 Ds for a Purposeful and Peaceful Holiday Season</strong>

<em>written for Simple Mom by <a href="http://www.wellgroundedsite.com/free-resources/" target="_blank">Lisa Byrne</a>, </em>a trusted authority on mothers' wellness

<strong>TOP TIP: Delete.</strong>

When we take things off our plate, we create some much needed “white space” in our lives, and this white space is essential to our being able to appreciate the spaces that <em>are</em> filled. It elevates them, and gives us an opportunity to deeply appreciate the things on our plate. We can better reflect and process life as it happens.

The delete option, perhaps, is our true key to establishing a plan for peace and meaning this holiday season.

<a href="http://simplemom.net/less-stressful-holidays/" target="_blank">...read more...</a>

<strong>21 Things to Do During Christmas Break</strong>

<em>written by <a href="http://workathomemoms.about.com/bio/Laureen-Miles-Brunelli-48181.htm" target="_blank">Laureen Miles Brunelli</a> for About.com.</em>

<strong>TOP TIP: Volunteer.</strong>

Of course, volunteering is a great thing to do any time of year. No need to wait for the holidays, but during the holidays there are a lot of opportunities for kids to volunteer. Just be careful [to] think out volunteer commitments and not take on more than you or your child can handle.

<a href="http://workathomemoms.about.com/od/christmas/tp/christmasbreak.htm" target="_blank">...read more...</a>

<strong>Christmas Caroling Party</strong>

<em>written by <a href="http://janice-benoit.suite101.com/" target="_blank">Janice Benoit</a> for Suite101.com.</em>

<strong>TOP TIP: Bring holiday cheer to all those around you by serenading them with Christmas Carols.</strong>

Celebrate the season with a Christmas Caroling Party. This type of get together is easy to pull off at the last minute, and it's sure to bring joy to all involved.

<a href="http://janice-benoit.suite101.com/christmas-caroling-party-a9715" target="_blank">...read more...</a>