Scale down your holiday plans this year. If you are not working or have less money to spend on your loved ones, do not let this make you depressed. If someone only likes you for the money you have or the gifts you can give them (other than the gift of your friendship or relationship) then you know who your true friends and relatives are.

Something that is new to a person does not mean that it has to be bought from a regular retail store. Have you ever been to a thrift store and seen new items that were still in the packaging? I bought a new, unused Daily Bible for a Sunday School student for only 25¢. If you give a gift to a person that you know they will like and it is not broken or damaged in any way there would be no reason to return the gift.

Scaling down your holiday shopping and buying does not mean that it has to be less enjoyable. This means that it has to be more thoughtful. This is something to remember before Thanksgiving and Black Friday. If you can’t afford to buy extravagant gifts, then don’t. Those who truly care about you will also care about your financial well being – that also means children as well. I’m sure if you explained to a child that they could get a gift but you might not have a place to live for any child over 6 will understand that.

It may sound like the Grinch who stole Christmas, but if you plan appropriately and want to spend within your means for gifts then make a conscious effort to spend wisely and be honest with yourself if no one else.