| It seems like every one looks forward to | | | | want or care about? We all have, and we've |
| Christmas. Some folks look forward with | | | | undoubtedly given a few too. Although we |
| anticipation and some look forward with dread. It | | | | appreciate the fact the person thought of us, the |
| mostly depends on your financial situation. If you | | | | money spent was wasted if the gift itself was |
| have planned and saved for the shopping season | | | | meaningless. How many times in your life have |
| you can relax, if you haven't, here are some | | | | you heard or said the phrase "It's the thought |
| helpful tips to enjoy the holidays and avoid letting | | | | that counts?" |
| debt give you a case of the Christmas Blues. | | | | Every year, stores are overcrowded the day |
| Christmas doesn't have to be about just giving | | | | before Christmas. Those crowds are an indication |
| more. Why not focus on giving more of what's | | | | of how little time is devoted to thinking about the |
| really important to you and your loved ones. | | | | gifts we give. We just know we have to give |
| Before you get caught up in the rush of the | | | | something. How many gifts are given each year |
| season, take a moment to reflect on what kind | | | | just to be "re-gifted" later? |
| of holiday celebration you really want. | | | | Why waste your time or money giving someone |
| Decide For Yourself What's Important | | | | a gift that has no meaning? Commit to giving |
| Retailers and lenders have their vision of the | | | | your wallet, your stress level, and our landfills a |
| perfect holiday season, and it includes you | | | | break. Once you have eliminated the needless |
| spending money...even if you have to borrow it. | | | | activities from the holidays, use some of that |
| What about you? Do you have a vision of what | | | | time to be creative in your gift giving. |
| you want this holiday season to be like? | | | | You can give gifts of your time, experience and |
| Think about your fondest Christmas memories. | | | | talents. One of the most popular stories at |
| What things do you remember most? For many, | | | | Christmas time is a poem entitled "T'was the |
| those memories often include fun times, good | | | | Night Before Christmas" by Clement Moore. You |
| food, laughter, and spending time with the people | | | | may not realize it, but that poem was actually |
| they love and care about. It might even include | | | | written as a Christmas gift to his children, well |
| building a snowman, or throwing a snowball or | | | | over a hundred years ago. It was a creative gift |
| two. | | | | from the heart that is still giving people |
| According to a recent national survey, | | | | enjoyment today. |
| 3 in 4 Americans wish that holidays were less | | | | Make a List and Check it Twice |
| materialistic. Nearly 9 in 10 believe that holidays | | | | How much money did you spent last year on |
| should be more about family and caring for | | | | gifts, decorations, and overall celebration-related |
| others, not giving and receiving gifts. | | | | expenses? Did you put any of those expenses on |
| This holiday season, resist the urge to spend | | | | a credit card, and if so, how long did it take to |
| more money. Instead spend more time focusing | | | | pay off the credit debt? |
| on what's really important. You don't have to rack | | | | Most of us don't know how much we spent last |
| up credit card debt, or get swept up in the | | | | year, or how long we have been paying for it. We |
| season's commercialism. Instead, take some time | | | | are simply not conscious of how much we spend |
| to focus on building the memories you want from | | | | during the rush of the holidays. Some of us are |
| this holiday season, for yourself and family. Talk | | | | still paying for gifts purchased years ago. That's |
| with your family and get their input. Once you | | | | why we may have little to spend this year. |
| have decided what you truly want, it's easier to | | | | Before you start spending, figure out how much |
| decide how to act. | | | | you can realistically afford. Then cut that amount |
| Here are some actions you might want to | | | | in half, to allow for all the unexpected things that |
| consider: | | | | come up. Then make a list of who, and what, you |
| Cut Out the Waste | | | | plan to spend that money on. Give the list careful |
| Give some thought to how you have spent the | | | | consideration and make sure the money spent |
| holidays in the past. Think about all the activities | | | | fulfills the desired purpose. Does Aunt Naomi really |
| you engaged in such as planning, shopping, | | | | want another bird house? If so, would she |
| cooking, gift wrapping, decorating, entertaining and | | | | appreciate it more if you bought it, or made it? |
| whatever else you had to do. Now ask yourself | | | | Don't let the heart and soul of the holidays get |
| these questions. | | | | lost by the chaos of shopping, and don't let your |
| Which of those activities were focused on the | | | | debts cause you or your loved ones to have a |
| things you really feel are important? | | | | Blue Christmas. |
| Which ones could be eliminated to give you more | | | | Take a Lesson From The Grinch |
| time to spend on meaningful things? | | | | "And he puzzled three hours, till his puzzler was |
| Which activities do you find particularly enriching, | | | | sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he |
| and worthy of more time and effort? | | | | hadn't before! "Maybe Christmas," he thought, |
| Where can you enlist help to make tasks easier | | | | "doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas |
| and more fun? | | | | perhaps means a little bit more!" - from How The |
| Give Creative and Meaningful Gifts | | | | Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. |
| Have you ever received a gift you really didn't | | | | |