EDMONTON (CP) - Those who need a little liquid fortification this Christmas are finding a new source of financing it - in their junk drawers and glove compartments.

A west Edmonton liquor store is accepting Canadian Tire money at par as a form of payment, and its owners say the program is a hit with shoppers. "There's a liquor store on every corner nowadays, so you need to have a bit of an edge to get someone to stop by your liquor store," said Don Calder, a part owner of Liquor International.

"A lot of times, (people) just stop by to say, 'Do you really take Canadian Tire money?' " he said with a laugh.

Canadian Tire uses the pastel green, red, blue and brown bills as a loyalty rewards program. Each year the company gives out more that $100 million worth, in denominations ranging from five cents to $2.

Calder, whose store takes in about $5 worth of the stuff on a slow day and up to $200 when things are hopping, put the policy in place about a year and a half ago.