Credit Cave has a Santa sized post up called 101 ways to save money this Christmas. Here are a few that I'll be applying this month:

Gift certificates are great! I personally love them because I know what I need/want. Plus bundling gift cards to Best Buy to get something bigger always makes me happy.

#63 clocks in with a tip about gift giving -- give gift certificates.

Give cash or vouchers. You’ll still have to pay up for them, but they allow you to control your budget. These types of gifts are well received anyway because the recipient can buy whatever they want, and because they can shop after Christmas has passed they’ll get more bang for their buck in the sales.

What's a voucher? And cash?? I think that crosses an invisible line for me and demeans the gift. A little idealism is good for society, so stick to the gift certificate.

The best part about any gift is the thoughful, heartfelt message that accompanies it. Which leads us to...

#82 -- make your own cards.

If you simply must send a card, why not make your own? You can create a decent looking card with your own printer and people will appreciate you effort. It also means you can personalize the message.

Planning a party? #24 concerns libations, booze and alcohol:

Shop online. There are lots of online discount liquor stores, just watch yourself when it comes to sales taxes.

I love #66 -- grow your own Christmas tree!

Why buy a Christmas tree when you can grow your own? It might take a few years, but if you plant a few in the back yard you’ll be covered for the future and save yourself a lot of money.

For those of you lucky enough to have a backyard, this is a great idea for your family over the years. I'm definitely going to do this when I have a backyard. Or perhaps a variation... Christmas avocado tree?

What about re-gifting? Instead of re-gifting, probably to someone who doesn't want it either, try selling it. There's always a buyer on eBay or do it offline at a garage sale. Those were #96 and #97.

96. Most people get a few gifts that they’d rather had stayed in the shop. Instead than dumping them or putting them into long-term storage in a box, monetize your junk gifts and sell them on eBay.

97. Another way of monetizing unwanted gifts is to sell them off in a garage sale, just make sure that the person who gave you the gift doesn’t turn up!

Here's one that saves me a ton of cash year round. At #37 in the Entertainment section, a reading tip.

There’s nothing like an open fire and a book. Instead of buying a new book, just read one you haven’t touched for a while.

Wise Bread bonus: use your local library. Today I checked out four cookbooks for free, and I get to keep them for 3 week. Even better, I can go to the LA Public Library website and renew the books for another 3 weeks. (Limit 2 renewals.)

What's the catch? You're already paying for it with your taxes. So enjoy the benefits. And when you're done with your bought books, why not donate it the library? Write it off as a karma investment.

There's a ton of other good tips in the list at Credit Cave. Take a look and see which ones you can apply as year-end resolutions.

Have tips to add? We'd love to hear them! Leave a comment.

(Top photo credit: Daley Plaza in Chicago by Flickr user laffy4k. Second photo credit: by The Heart of New England)