Give Thanks, Then Consider Changing Gift Giving Traditions

Thanksgiving is a time for food and family. It’s also a time when many begin planning for Christmas, and a good opportunity to talk about holiday gifts.

Families should look for ways to save money, even if that means buying for fewer people, cautioned Lori Pridgen of Consumer Credit Counseling Service. “Some of your relatives are dreading Christmas because they are financially strapped,” said Pridgen, director of community relations. “Changing traditions can be a positive thing. It’s just not practical to by something for everybody.”

Gift expenses, coupled with pressure to find the right “little something” for everyone on your list, can cause unnecessary stress. CCCS offers the following suggestions to cut costs:

1. Trim the gift list. Draw names, or agree to buy only for the children (determine age cap), or only mom and dad. Agree to purchase one gift per family to reduce the number of presents or eliminate gifts altogether.

2. Set dollar limit on gifts. Knowing the price range helps everyone budget better and narrows the field of gifts we can buy.

3. Have a gift swap. Bring an anonymous, wrapped gift to be numbered and drawn. This can be really fun, especially when the dollar limit on the purchase price is $10 or less.

4. Share costs of a family project. Choose a gift that can be duplicated for each family – recipe collections, family video or CD, calendars with photos, family web site, etc. Each family will contribute equally to the final cost of the project chosen each year.

5. Pick alternate date for gifts. Agree to skip gifts at Christmas and exchange at Thanksgiving or another family holiday get-together instead.

6. Opt for homemade gifts and services. Agree not to buy presents, but to give gifts of time and talent instead. Ideas include: baking, crafts, artwork, music lessons, babysitting, decorating, and maintenance. These personalized gifts are often the most treasured.

For additional holiday budgeting tips, contact CCCS of South Texas. CCCS is national nonprofit, United Way agency that provides free budget and credit counseling, debt repayment plans and education For additional information or to schedule an appointment, contact CCCS at 854-4357 or (800) 333-4357.