Holidays like Christmas and special celebrations like birthdays and anniversaries can be a lot of fun and give us many wonderful memories. Memories of family get togethers, gatherings of friends, and special times with those you care about. Unfortunately, these “special” days often bring folks more stress than joy.

How many times have you received a gift from a friend or loved one that you really didn’t like? How many gifts have you used once if at all and then stuck back in a closet somewhere? Imagine all the money you and your friends and family have spent for useless, unwanted gifts.

Often gift giving has become a competition of sorts. Have you ever known of or been involved with people who actually compete with each other to get the “best” gift or the most expensive present? It’s as if those who do this gain some prestige by spending the most on gifts or they feel that the measurement of love is in giving the best gifts. Gift giving should not be a competition. When you buy, or make, gifts for loved ones do it with care and thought and not worry about what others will give.

How many people borrow money or run up their credit cards to buy Christmas gifts? How many even let a few bills go late? The truth is that millions of Americans find themselves a little deeper in debt and/or behind on their regular bills every January.

Is this what Christmas is all about? Getting stressed over money and picking out gifts? No, and please don’t let this describe your Christmas. If you can save a little money all year round for the holidays that can be a big help. But regardless of whether you save up for it or not you should sit down with pen and paper and figure out a budget that you can handle without borrowing or going in debt and stick to it. Make Christmas at your house about family times together and not about the shiny presents.

It’s OK to spend money on gifts during the holidays. Just don’t make money and gifts the reason for the season. If you buy your child three nice presents that they will truly like and use they will appreciate them much more than if you bought them 25 gifts. When any of us, especially children, receive too much at once we have a tendency not to appreciate what we have. Most children love to open one present after another often barely looking at what they have already opened.

If you have young children get them accustomed to receiving only a few gifts. You will not be depriving them nor being cruel in any way. With recipients of all ages try to think about one or two special gifts instead of a bunch of them regardless of your budget.

Written by David Slone, Copyright 2009 ChristmasChimney.com all rights reserved and may not be republished in any form.