Tulsa - Christmas is just ten days away. And a lot of people are still shopping for their children. That can be tough, because their holiday wish lists can be expensive, as well as demanding.

So, how can you put Santa on a budget this year?

Kiplinger.com says be honest with your children if you're worried about your finances. No, don't overwhelm them with all the details, but let them know what you can and can't afford this holiday season.

Set your own rules and customs. Some families give one big gift to their kids and several smaller ones. Whatever you do, don't be afraid of your kids.  They'll go along with your wishes as long as you set clear limits and stick to them.

Ask the children to make choices. Once they've made their list, have them pare it down to, say, the top five things they want most. Give older kids a budget and ask them to choose gifts that don't exceed that amount.

For a complete list of ways to keep holiday spending on your kids under control, visit http://www.kiplinger.com/columns/drt/archive/putting-santa-on-a-budget.html.

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