Editor’s note: One in a series of stories to help readers’ save money.

You’re making your list. You’re checking it twice.

And you’re wondering how you’ll ever be able to afford to give presents for your spouse, your children, your children’s teachers, your parents, your siblings, your aunts, your uncles, your ministers. Then comes the cost and labor of making those presents look presentable.

Still, even in this most spendable time of the year, there are ways to save money on Christmas gifts without being a Scrooge.

“Always know who you’re buying for, and take a list with you,” said Arrowhead Mall Marketing Director Penny Kampf. “And set a budget on how much you’re going to spend on each person.”

And shop early, said Melanie Taylor, family and consumer educator for McIntosh County OSU Extension Service.

We know, hard words when Christmas is less than three weeks away.

Yet, Taylor said, “The more time a consumer has to shop, the better choices the consumer will make.”

This also gives you time to watch for sales and coupons.

Dillard’s Manager Jerry Blaich said his store at Arrowhead Mall offers several sales between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Often, they come unannounced, he said.

“And a lot of people don’t look at the signs by the sale items,” he said.

“The closer we get to Christmas, the lower the prices are going to be. That’s my observation,” said Heather Winn, family and consumer science educator for Cherokee County.

If you plan on celebrating Christmas after Dec. 25, you can take advantage of the post-Christmas sales that hit stores Dec. 26. If you’re a stickler for celebrating on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, well, there’s always next year.

Taylor also suggested avoiding credit cards whenever possible so you wouldn’t be hit with usage fees after Christmas.