This year more than ever the stresses of the holidays seem to be bearing down on us. I’ve heard more complaints about people putting up Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving than in the past. Perhaps because we don’t want to be reminded so soon of the economic burden that might be coming. Or maybe we feel guilty about not being able to afford the things we would like to give to the ones we love. Many people are feeling the pinch and more than a few are feeling the crush.
The best advice I can give this Christmas season for striving to be stress free is to cut back. Sure, the point of Top Christmas Gifts is to help people find items to buy for Christmas, but the worst thing you can do is overburden your already heavy debt load by buying more things you can’t pay for on credit. Pay cash for everything and look for ways to make that happen. Take advantage of layaway if you can. KMart is advertising heavily on this topic right now.
Talk to your kids about the times. Don’t burden them with your economic worries, but it’s OK for kids to know that things might be a little leaner this year. They’ll survive. Kids are tough. Strive to spend more time doing quality things together. Making gingerbread cookies in the kitchen, or building mom that birdhouse in the garage. Have a “we’re all in this together” attitude and your kids will come along with you.
Remember this Christmas season, the best gift you can give anybody is your love. Volunteer time at the soup kitchen, open up your home for dinner with family and friends, give that guy or gal at work who has been working overtime the day off with pay. Be generous in spirit. You’ll feel the stress begin to lift as you begin to see others in a new way. And you’ll feel even less stress when next Spring rolls around and there are no credit card bills in the mail.
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