A Merry Christmas And A Skint New Year? Time To Think Again
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Christmas is all about fun, cheer and goodwill to all men - isn't it? Most people remember it as being the most exciting day of the year up until they were about 12, when it suddenly became one of the most stressful.
From year to year, Christmas consistently costs Britons more and is named as one of consumers' top worries, as so many of us feel pressurised or compelled to spend money we don't have on relatives we don't like or simply don't really know. Some use it as an opportunity to 'make up' for not spending time with people during the rest of the year, and many parents feel the need to try and fulfil their child's every whim for a 'perfect' Christmas - whatever the cost.
But when asked, most people say that what's important at Christmas is the chance to get together and relax with family and friends. If that's the case - and let's face it, the religious dimension of the holiday seems to be largely forgotten by this time, with Christianity on the decline in the UK overall and 23% of us identifying with 'no religion' - then it may be time to reconsider the way we act at this time of year and get serious about showing those feelings. Instead of splurging on mass-produced, identikit presents, why not consider saving for a really good family holiday in 2008, or simply taking time out to be with loved ones more often? After all, some of the best things in life - long walks in the woods, visits to many museums and galleries, trips to the seaside and picnics in the garden - are free.
'Green', ethical gifts and supporting charities instead of buying material goods have really taken off in the last couple of years, and have got many people thinking about the impact of Christmas and our lifestyles on the planet as a whole. They're a great idea with a guaranteed feel-good factor and can be customised to fit any budget. And right-on gifts don't have to be halfway across the world - if you don't think a sponsored goat would go down well with your little darlings, what about a tent or other equipment to ensure that when summer comes back around, they can go on adventures to experience and learn about the local environment for themselves?
There are loads of things you can do to save money and stress and reduce your impact at Christmas. If you're seriously worried about the cost of it, you're not alone, with a study showing that in early December, 4.4 million UK consumers still haven't cleared debts incurred last Christmas.
The essential thing is to remember not to get carried away: only buy what you can afford, and take stock of what you're spending. Avoid store cards, which just spread the debt around with high APR. If you have any, it's time to quit and take advantage of a credit card balance transfer which could slash your repayments considerably.
Adam Singleton
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