Happy holiday doesn't need a price tag

Holiday displays beckon shoppers, and mail order companies offer delivery within days. According to the barrage of special offers arriving in many mailboxes, the only happy holiday is one with a price tag.

Don't believe it, say family resource management specialists with Iowa State University Extension. "You don't have to spend lots of money in order to have the holiday spirit. Many people overspend because they feel trapped by holiday traditions and expectations."

Holiday traditions die hard. Some families expect each member to give a gift to everyone in the family. Other families try to get the kids whatever they ask for. Still others travel 600 miles to see all the grandparents.

"Don't let expectations pressure you into whipping out that credit card in a final effort to make it through the stress-filled frenzy of gift buying and holiday entertaining," the specialists say. "If you do use credit, keep track of the total amount of credit used. It's best to stay within a budgeted amount that can be paid off before incurring finance charges."

Sometimes people need to break traditions and change expectations, especially when those traditions leave a family debt-ridden in the new year.

"Breaking tradition takes courage," the specialists say. "Families have to talk about the changes. They have to say, 'We can't do this anymore, but we will do this instead.' Then they have to follow through."

The specialists offer these ideas for making the holidays less costly.

• Have a potluck dinner, instead of having the full meal prepared by one family.
• Set a price limit for purchased gifts.
• Give a gift from one family to another family, rather than individual gifts for all.
• Pass on a family heirloom -- Grandma's lace tablecloth or the photo of Grandpa in his uniform.
• Give a gift of personal service such as babysitting, snow shoveling, and window washing.
• Make a time table with children for buying THE more expensive items they want. Let children contribute part of their allowance or do extra chores at home to pay part of the cost.

Originally written on 12/16/98, reviewed 2002

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