Celebrating the Holidays on the Budget (a new series)

I am going to start something new between now and the end of the year. I will be sharing a lot of tips on how to celebrate the holidays on a budget.  I don't normally talk a lot about my family life  on my blog, but there is a personal reason why I want to start this series of posts. I will be honest and say, I am not really looking forward to the holidays this year. In fact, I am feeling anxious about them. There has just been so many changes this year that we are still adjusting to.  We moved to a very small space less than half of the square footage of our house. We barely have enough  room for a Christmas tree. (I had 3 at the house)   I will not be able to bring out  my decorations, which are all pretty much in the back of  the storage unit  anyway.  We no longer have our beautiful fireplace and mantle, which makes me sad.  My oldest daughter moved across the country at the end of September, and will most likely not be able to come home for Thanksgiving or  Christmas.  This will be the first year we will be apart for the holidays. Many of our usual traditions will have to be totally different this year.  My family (parents, siblings, nieces and nephews) live too far for us to go visit. Money is tight, and I am not sure how we are going to afford many presents.  I know there are other people who  also not really looking forward to the holidays.  Two of my best friends have lost both of their parents, and do not have much family close enough to see for the holidays. These special "family" days are also  hard for them.  This time of year it is when friends become your family. 

Since I know that many others may have similar struggles, I thought it would be good to share tips on saving on food, great gift deals I find, how to decorate frugally in a small space, and basically how to simplify the holidays  I am hoping as I share the ways I am adjusting to our new circumstances, that others will also be able to benefit as well.  I don't want to sound like I am being a downer. I really am not.  I am happy and optimistic person by nature. I know there is a reason for  this season, and lessons to be learned. So follow along and we will get through these next two months together.