Yep, it’s that time of year again. A time filled with cheer, seasonal goodies, blushed cheeks and high credit card bills. Very high credit card bills. Getting gifts for family and friends can really add up, especially for college students who don’t have much money to begin with. But no fear Shakespeare! I’ve got the tips you need to make sure you don’t go bankrupt this holiday season.

1. Plan Ahead- Before you hit the mall create a budget. Decide who you need to buy gifts for and how much you want to spend on them. By putting a cap on your spending there is less of a chance of going overboard. And don’t think you have to buy gifts for everyone—stick to the people who are a big part of your life.

2. Get Crafty- You can never go wrong with a homemade gift. They are the classics in the world of gift giving and can save you a ton of money. The possibilities are endless when it comes to ideas, and the added effort of making a gift means more than just picking up a giftcard from the grocery store. Not very creative? I’ve got you covered. Check out DIY Christmas on Pinterest for ideas and directions.

3. Secret Santa- Have some fun this holiday season with your friends and save loads of money at the same time! Have each friend pull a name out of a hat and whoever they pick is who they will buy a gift for. Doing a Secret Santa is a great way to save because you only have to buy a gift for one friend. Place a spending limit on the gifts and everyone ends up happy this holiday season.

4. Grab Bag- A second option is to do a grab bag. Rather than have all your friends buy for someone specifically, have everyone buy one universal gift. Then, when you all come together, have each person chooses one gift. Set up rules like the ability to steal from someone, or no unwrapping until everyone has a present in their hands. Just like Secret Santa, the grab bag is a great way to save because you only have to buy for one person. Set a spending limit and you’ll be surprised by how much you save.

Now that you’ve got these money saving tips down, get out there and start shopping! Trust me, you do not want to put it off any longer.