As our economy presses many of us into even tighter financial restraints, more and more we're looking for creative ways to save money and keep Christmas affordable. Cutting back and saving money, however, doesn't have to mean that our Christmas celebrations become less memorable. Just the opposite! My family has found that our money saving efforts have actually enhanced our appreciation of the blessed and sacred Christmas seasons.

Every year we make a conscious effort to decommercialize our Christmas by minimizing our focus on gift giving and centering our eyes on the birth of Jesus Christ, our Savior. I've combined a few of my family's tips with some smart and thrifty suggestions from several Guides at About.com to put together this money saving Christmas resource:

• 10 Ways to Save Money at Christmas

_{Photo: Seth Joel / Getty Images}

Angie thought a free Tarot card reading would be a fun way to pass the afternoon. What she didn't realize was that this one act would change her life forever. Within one month, Angie was hooked and began to study everything she could get her hands on regarding the occult, Tarot, Spiritism, and witchcraft, eventually becoming a powerful witch. If you don't believe that evil forces are real, read about Angie's dramatic escape from the enemy.

Angie's story is one of our many featured testimonies from you, the members and visitors of this site. Each story reveals a life transformed by Christian faith. If your relationship with God has made a significant difference in your life, we would like to hear about it.
• Submit your testimony by filling out this Submission Form.
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• Read: Angie's Escape from the Enemy

Part of the wonder of Thanksgiving and Christmas comes with the sights, sounds, and smells of the season that carry a certain nostalgia, allowing us to relive the magical moments of our favorite holiday memories: waking up to a blanket of freshly fallen snow ... receiving the answer to a secret prayer whispered only to God the Father ... a family game of football to work off that turkey dinner ... baking homemade cookies with Grandma ... driving through neighborhoods in search of the brightest Christmas lights ... midnight Mass ... singing Christmas carols at the nursing home ...

One of my favorite holiday memories was the year my family went on a hayride after Thanksgiving dinner. What is your favorite holiday memory? Take a few moments and relive the magic:

• What is Your Favorite Thanksgiving Memory?
• What is Your Favorite Christmas Memory?

_{Image: © Mary Fairchild}

This week's Thanksgiving prayer is We Give Thanks, by Harry Jewell.

Do you have an original Thanksgiving prayer that would encourage or benefit a fellow believer? Perhaps you've written a unique poem you'd like to share with others. We are looking for Christian prayers and poems to encourage our readers in their communication with God. To submit your original prayer or poem, please fill out this Prayer / Poem Submission Form.

We Give Thanks

Our Father in Heaven,
We give thanks for the pleasure
Of gathering together for this occasion.
We give thanks for this food
Prepared by loving hands.
We give thanks for life,
The freedom to enjoy it all
And all other blessings...
Read more of ... We Give Thanks by Harry Jewell.

More Thanksgiving Prayers:

• Giving Thanks and Saying Grace
• Mealtime Blessings
• All About Thanksgiving Prayers - With Tips for Writing Your Own Prayer