Holiday spending has undoubtedly been a popular topic this season, but according to a November poll hosted by the NFCC, 40 percent of respondents revealed indicated that they do not intend to spend any money on holiday purchases.

If you’re someone who looking to make cuts in your spending this holiday season, but you're not sure how, try regifting! Regifting can be a great way to ensure you have a frugal, yet festive, holiday season, but first, you should brush up on your knowledge and take a course in Regifting 101.

The path to becoming a regifting master begins by asking yourself the following questions:

• Is the gift regiftable? Never regift handmade or one-of-a-kind items. Signed books and monogrammed items are off-limits. Do you have to be told not to regift free promotional items? Some gifts that are good candidates for regifting include good (unopened!) bottles of wine, new household items and inexpensive jewelry.
• How is the condition? Only new, unopened gifts in good condition should be considered for regifting. Never give partially used gift cards. Don’t give items that you have owned for a long time. A general rule of thumb: if you have to dust it off, it is not regiftable.
• Is this going to work? Successful regifters use common sense. If you are going to regift, be sure you know who gave you the item, so you don’t return something to the original giver. Only regift items to people who are not likely to see the original giver.
• Do you have good intentions? Don’t just give a gift to give a gift. Be sure that the recipient will appreciate the item. Remember, if you feel that an item is undesirable, the recipient probably will too. If you are regifting simply because you ran out of time, gift cards are simple to obtain and always well received.
• How does it look? When it comes to gift-giving, go for show! While gift bags in good condition can be reused, wrapping paper is a one-time thing. And be sure to always spring for a new card or gift tag.
• Can you handle it? If you don’t plan to announce the gift as a regift, ask yourself if you can keep the secret. Never feel guilty about regifting once you’ve done it.
• Have you considered your options? An unwanted gift could be a welcome donation to a charitable organization. It is also an option to suck it up and keep an unwanted gift — after all, it was a gift.

If you’re looking for more ways to save during the holidays, check out our new Holiday Headquarters section for tips and resources for cutting back without taking the cheer out of the season. And if you have regifting tips of your own, we’d love for you to share them! Leave a comment on this post or head over to our Regifting forum to share your experiences and ideas with the community.

When it comes to weddings, you frequently hear how expensive it can be to have one, but no one ever discusses how much it costs to attend one.

Brides and grooms aren’t the only ones shelling out big bucks for their big day. As wedding season approaches and the invitations pile up, so does the financial stress.

You don’t have to get stuck paying the high price of roses on Valentine’s Day. While they may not be traditional, these other blooms can express your adoration just as well, without you having to break-up with your budget.

Whether Valentine’s Day, an anniversary, or just a whim inspires you to splurge on a gift for your sweetie, pause before you swipe that credit card. The best way to celebrate a once-in-a-lifetime love isn’t necessarily with a store bought, generic gift. These 11 gift ideas may not cost you much, but they are rich in thought and sure to be treasured by the one you love.

1. Write a poem or love letter. Nothing says “I love you” more than sweet, tender words from the heart. Use your creative side and let that special someone know how you really feel.
2. Bring him or her breakfast in bed. Showcase your culinary skills by making your sweetie his or her favorite breakfast food. Nothing says lovin’ like somethin’ from the oven.
3. Treat your significant other to a spa treatment. A day spa masseuse may be pricey but you’re not! Give your loved one a foot and back massage at home. Create a romantic ambiance with a sweetly-scented bubble bath and some rose petals in and around the bathtub.
4. Prepare a romantic candlelit dinner. Transform your dining room into a beautiful four-star restaurant. Enjoy each other’s company and reconnect in a quiet atmosphere.
5. Recreate your first date. Maybe it was dinner and a movie, maybe it was a walk in the park—the key is to recreate that initial spark between the two of you.
6. Give your love a break. If you usually divide the chores at home, give your partner a sweet surprise by doing both your shares. Giving them a chance to put their feet up and relax will show how much you appreciate all they do.
7. Create a soundtrack of your romance. Choose songs that are memorable for the two of you. The first song you danced to, the song that best defines your relationship, and songs that make you think of the other are a few ideas to load into your MP3 player.
8. Rent a favorite flick. Spending quality time together is one of the best gestures to show someone you care. Instead of going out to a crowded movie theater, rent a movie and watch it while snuggling on the sofa.
9. Buy red balloons. Fill his or her favorite room in the house with red balloons and hand-written notes with romantic verses on them.
10. One step closer toward achieving a common goal. Make an agreement with your partner to forgo the gifts on the occasion you are celebrating. Instead, put that money toward achieving a shared goal, such as homeownership, paying off a debt, or saving for a romantic vacation.
11. Give a printable gift certificate. Sometimes the best gift you can give is your time. Create a personalized gift using this free printable gift certificate generator.

For more on finance and romance, download the free Love and Money eBook.

Five ways you can save some green by going green this holiday season.

MMI is committed to helping you get through the holiday season with your budget and your sanity in-tact.