As much as we'd like to believe we don't go on a spending frenzy as soon as the Thanksgiving leftovers are covered in foil and plopped in the fridge, the facts don't lie. Retail sales by the nation's department stores see more than a 50 percent jump in sales in December, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. In 2004, shopping totaled $31.9 billion in December alone, and from the looks of those old credit card bills, you managed to put a dent in that dollar amount.

When individuals give, on average, $15 billion each month in charitable contributions, according to Giving USA, we're definitely spending more than we're giving. As the holiday season stretches even the best-planned budgets thin, try these less-than-costly ways to give.

What to hand down
The worst part of buying the newest Tickle Me Elmo is knowing that, in a few months, it'll be all played out and your tug-of-war at the toy store will have been for naught. Then comes the joy of a younger child on whom you can, well, pawn off those used playthings.

Of course, younger siblings shouldn't get the short end of the stick by only getting what their older brother or sister happened to like. Appropriate hand-me-down toys should match a child's age, stage of development, interests and skill level.