I buy gift cards from my local high school, everything from gas and grocery shopping cards, to restaurants and gift stores. That way when I make my entertaining/travel budget, I make sure I don't do any impulse buying and only spend what I have budgeted for. I also send them as gifts—a card and a stamp is much less than gift wrap and shipping. It helps me stick to my plan and supports the school. Stefanie Rothbard Energy, environmenteconomy: all three of those ewords have converged upon usSo this year I have decided to try to help them all in one big way. am minimizing our holiday decorations. I plan to not put up a traditional Christmas tree and to instead display a table scene of alnatural ingredients—branchesbark, shells, rocks, moss, pinecones—along with our Christmas tree decorations.

The lighting will be only candles which use no electricity. I will be helping the energy crunch with no extra electrical usage, the environment by using all sustainable decorations and our household budget when the Edison bill doesn't double for December. Everyone can economize and still celebrate the season. Fabienne Logan Newbury Park

For our family of nine, (parents, siblings and their spouses) we have opted to draw names for each adult member of the family and set a dollar limit. While still enjoying the idea of gift giving and shopping, it helps cut the cost of nine gifts down to 1 and staying within a budget. Anonymous

I wanted to respond to your question about how to save money this holiday season. I started buying my gifts in September so I could spread the expenses out over four months instead of getting hit all at once in December. I also find that shopping this way eliminates my "impulse" shopping which adds up the week before Christmas because I spend that last week enjoying the holidays and no where near the mall. Alison McLane Westlake Village

I own a new crafting studio in Newbury Park, Pandora's Paintbox.

In response to the request for suggestions to save money for the holidays, I would like to mention that many people are making gifts this year in my studio. These gifts include wooden toys for kids, mobiles, painted canvas, ornaments and many other items.

This Saturday a whole group came in to make Christmas gifts. They were excited that they could spend some family time together while making gifts this year. Most gifts can be made for under $20 in the studio. By making gifts, families don't have to wander around the mall, spending even more money.

We will host a winter craft camp before Christmas, so kids can work on some last minute gifts.

Instead of buying Christmas cards this year, cards can be made from children's artwork and inexpensively photocopied and placed onto card blanks. Our family does this every year. Patricia Kessler Pandora's Paintbox Craft

Studio Newbury Park