Everyone knows that times are tough. Though gas prices are finally affordable, many families are struggling to make ends meet due to adjustable rate mortgages and job losses. With the holidays coming up, many are asking themselves if purchasing gifts and hosting large family dinners is even possible this year.

Winter festivities are still manageable on a limited budget—in fact, the extra time and care that goes into frugal planning can often make the season even more enjoyable for everyone involved. Here are five steps to making this winter one to remember.

1. Get in the spirit. Buying up lights and baubles to string up on your porch or put on your lawn may not be an option this season, as the funds you might use for these items could be used for necessities (bills, groceries, etc.).

Instead of going crazy with the decorations, get friends and family members together and organize a fun game around other people’s holiday lighting themes. Pick a neighborhood, park your car and walk around looking at the glow of icicle lights and blinking Santas. See which of you can find a full reindeer and sleigh set-up, or how many houses have those tacky, multi-colored strands of lights draped all over the yard.

With a thermos of hot chocolate and a few impromptu caroling sessions, exploring the city will be more fun than ever. Plus, you can go to multiple neighborhoods, making this an exciting repeatable activity you can enjoy with loved ones.

It never quite feels like winter without snow, which we lack in Southern Nevada. However, Mt. Charleston is usually covered in powder this time of year, so for the full winter experience, plan a day trip up to the peaks, where you’ll find sleigh rides and snowball fights galore.

2. Decorate on a dime. If you’re one of those people who can’t get in the spirit without lights and holiday-themed music, then your motto should be “reuse and recycle.”

Find your old boxes of decorations and breathe new life into them with a feather duster and some polish. If purchasing new things is absolutely necessary, then be creative. Buy plain ornaments in bulk and have a painting party with friends and family. This gives you the chance to save money and personalize your home. The best ornaments can be handed down to children and grandchildren, or given away to charitable organizations.

Another way to add pizzazz to your home is by making a holiday-themed wreath. Simple instructions for a multitude of wreaths can be found by doing a quick search on Google, and you can usually find plastic flowers and other materials at arts and crafts stores on sale.

Some families celebrate the holidays with stockings filled with small gifts and treats. If you’re crafty, find a stocking pattern on the internet and whip up a few for family members. If sewing is not your forte, buy a few at a neighborhood store and bedazzle them with paint and glitter. It’s all about having fun.

3. Downsize. Many people have dozens of traditions they celebrate during the holiday season, but when you’re on a budget, something’s got to give.

A family that celebrates the season with a giant tree may have to consider buying a plastic tree to cut costs (and save the environment). Or you can scout tree lots for the smallest, saddest-looking tree you can find, a la Charlie Brown. With a lot of love and a string of popcorn, the tree will come to life, becoming a beautiful symbol of the affection you have for those near and dear to you.

4. Be creative. A lot of families are worried about having to cut back on presents this season due to the impending recession, but being able to afford an iPod for your significant other should be the least of your worries. If money is tight in your house, think of an affordable alternative to the high-priced gadgets on your loved one’s list. Or, better yet, get crafty. Use your talents (whether it be painting, writing or even accounting) to give someone a memorable gift.

Those with artistic abilities have it easy, but for people who are better at math than drawing, think of a way to turn your gift into a present. For instance, arithmetically inclined givers can offer their services during tax season. Or, if you love kids, watch your niece and nephew on New Year’s so your sister and her husband can paint the town.

Show people you care with gifts that are meaningful to both them and you. And if you have your holiday gift fund ready to spend, check out Casino Connection’s extensive gift guide.

5. Come together. The legendary Beatles song can be more than just the soundtrack to your weekend road trips; the tune can be your holiday motto. If your holidays are usually spent traveling to your family’s home in another state, consider canceling your trip and staying home.

You can save hundreds of dollars and gather friends, neighbors and co-workers together for a makeshift holiday potluck. Or you can spend a quiet holiday alone with your significant other, watching themed movies and pretending like it’s actually cold outside. Either way, you can plan to have a fun, anxiety-free holiday season without having to break the bank.

By Caitlin McGarry