The holiday season is meant to be a carefree celebration, bringing people together to enjoy each other’s company and traditions. As it overlaps with the end of the year, people hope to leave the daily stress of normal life behind and enjoy time with the ones they love.

This goal becomes complicated, however, when the desire to have a perfect holiday is hindered by your year-end financial goals or any financial issues you may have suffered in the past 12 months.

Having a Christmas without breaking the bank is not impossible, though. There are ways to save money this December and with these tips, living within your means does not have to end in 2024.

DIY your decorations

For many, Christmas does not truly begin until the houseis decked in tinsel, lights and pine trees.

This year, DIY your decor. Melissa Riker, a homemaking blogger, recommended to CNN that holiday decorators should choose one holiday color scheme and add accents throughout the house, which is a great way to create a singular look without having to buy too many items.

“You might not think about them as they’re scattered through the house, but if you bring them all together, ” Riker told CNN, “you can really make a beautiful layout.”

Paper snowflakes are another cheap decoration that can be made at home, and can even work as a holiday activity for you and your family. Get out of your comfort zone. MarthaStewart.com recommends using fun colors outside of the traditional red, white and green.

Cut costs on gifts

One part of the holiday season that can bear the most financial burden is gift-giving. It is challenging to get thoughtful gifts for everyone without spending a pretty penny. However, there are alternatives for those looking to save.

Acts of service can be a great way to give a thoughtful gift without spending too much, according to CNN. Offer to rake the leaves for a friend or relative or give them a ride to an appointment.

CNN also recommends thrifting gifts as a great way to save money. Your local thrift store is filled with items the people in your life would love after cleaning them up a bit.

Holiday cards can be the extra expense that puts you over the top of your holiday budget, so making them at home should be a no-brainer.

If you would still love to get someone in your life one great gift, CNN recommends hosting a Secret Santa gift exchange among a friend group or even family members, allowing everyone to get a gift and give a gift without overextending their wallet.

Cook your holiday favorites from scratch

Everyone has their favorite prepared foods and desserts that they only buy around Christmas, saving their deliciousness for a few weeks out of the year.

This year, try to make them from scratch, allowing you to budget better and make great memories at home recreating your favorite things.

Save a little money anywhere you can

Overall, the holiday season will always come with costs but there are ways you can save everyday to lessen the burden into the new year.

Instead of Christmas traditions that include leaving the house and spending money, spend more time at home. CNN recommends a family dance party to Christmas music as a fun, new tradition that can be done completely for free.

Ramsey Solutions recommends a more proactive approach to keeping a budget during the holiday season, saying you should cut back on spending in other parts of your December budget to move it toward the Christmas holiday.