Focus on your financial goals and prioritize them: Adjust holiday expectations accordingly. Cut done your gift-giving list and get creative: Avoid getting carried away and showering everyone you meet with a gift. Focus on meaningful actions instead. Look for free local events: Use the trusty Internet to identify events that are totally free or within budget. Volunteer: Spend your free time giving back and spreading that true holiday cheer. Volunteering is an amazing way to keep your 'need' for heavy spending in check. Take on a side job: If you simply must spend more on the holidays, then get to work! There are temporary side gigs that you can take on.