| It makes me wonder when I recently visited a | | | | to give to us or someone else. |
| large shopping mall, are people really cutting back | | | | 3. If you have difficulty in deciding on a special |
| on purchases this year? Is it the gloom of the | | | | gift, you could always contribute a small amount |
| state of our economy, which has many families | | | | of available money to an organization in honor of |
| re-thinking their gift buying this Christmas? | | | | someone close to you, i.e., Vietnam Veterans of |
| Typically, the majority of people seem to spend | | | | America, Disabled Veterans, American Red Cross, |
| more than they can afford, especially if they're | | | | Salvation Army, or to any other organizations you |
| buying for their children, grandchildren, brothers, | | | | care too. |
| sisters, parents, or other relatives. | | | | 4. We both come from a large family and would |
| I really believe that with the current economic | | | | draw names. This way we only gave one gift to |
| condition and what it shall be for the upcoming | | | | one person, but everyone received something. |
| year, everyone needs to refocus and shop within | | | | 5. Tell you family and relatives that you have set |
| their means. What people should do is to calculate | | | | limits up front on what you do this year. |
| what their expenses are and then from that, | | | | Remember, if your children are old enough to |
| figure out a budget for Christmas gift shopping. | | | | understand, be as honest with them and let them |
| Too many have used their credit cards or relied | | | | know that you only have so much too spend. |
| on other revenues to purchasing their gifts. We | | | | 6. Talk to your spouse and discuss what your |
| should all put our credit cards away and use | | | | limits are for each other. Several years ago my |
| available cash. Too many of us purchase by bulk | | | | wife and I decided to stop spending on each |
| so that the underneath of our Christmas tree is | | | | other. Throughout the year if we need something |
| packed tightly with assorted gifts for everyone. | | | | we get it and when it comes time for Christmas, |
| During this time of year, I frequently think of | | | | we find that each year we already have what we |
| what it used to be like when I was a child and | | | | want and need. In doing so, we found we had a |
| how we celebrated the Christmas Season. To | | | | little more to spend on our children. |
| me, the thought of giving of something special | | | | 7. This year we decided to purchase gift cards in |
| and personal would be more appreciated than | | | | lieu of gifts. It seems that so many of our |
| something store bought. When I was a child | | | | children and families have so much, it’s hard |
| growing up in a family of eight, most of my gifts | | | | to buy something special that they need. In doing |
| were usually crafted because of the income my | | | | this we found that with a gift card, the |
| father and mother had. My father would craft toy | | | | grandchildren and our children can get what they |
| boats out of wood for the boys and my mother | | | | really want. |
| would make dolls for the girls. Those were the | | | | Now back to the basics. I believe that everyone |
| good old days. Now in today’s market, | | | | should remember and discuss with each other the |
| economically we’re not much better off than | | | | true meaning of Christmas. When asked of a |
| my parents were and we should all try to cut | | | | grandchild what Christmas was all about, she said, |
| back on our debt. I think everyone is hurting for | | | | " How many presents you get under the tree". |
| money and maybe keeping Christmas basic and | | | | |
| simple and foremost remembering the true | | | | 1. Focus on and discuss the real meaning of |
| meaning of this Christmas holiday would be helpful | | | | Christmas, the birthday of Jesus Christ. |
| and less stressful. I have jotted down some past | | | | 2. Focus on quality family time. Everyone could |
| ideas for creating and even getting those | | | | get into the car and take a drive around the town |
| inexpensive gifts, by creating gifts, and most | | | | looking at all the beautiful light displays. You stay |
| importantly enjoying your time this Christmas | | | | at home one evening and sit around the living |
| season with the family. | | | | room, pop some popcorn and watch a Christmas |
| | | | movie together. If you are fortunate enough to |
| 1. Give the gift of time to family relationships. In | | | | have a fireplace, you could sit around the fire and |
| previous years, our family would make up coupon | | | | share your favorite Christmas memory or story. |
| books to give to each other. It was coupons that | | | | 3. Focus on practicing the giving rather than |
| would say things like; take out to dinner, get a | | | | receiving rule. Your family may be able to help a |
| free back rub, clean the house, play at game | | | | needy family or a child you may know that will |
| night, etc. The coupons we made came from my | | | | not have a Christmas. You could buy food or gifts |
| wife, the children, and myself and personally | | | | for the family. If your children use their own |
| meant a lot. | | | | money to buy things for another family, |
| 2. My wife used to make homemade items, like | | | | they’ll experience a real satisfaction that they |
| baked and no-bake cookies and other festive | | | | actually did it themselves and help someone else, |
| desserts, we printed photos, put them in a collage | | | | the giving rule. |
| frame with a magnet for the refrigerator, the | | | | I hope I've offered an idea or two that will make |
| kids would always make some form of artwork | | | | your holiday a little easier and less stressful. |