DOLLARS AND SENSE

Common sense answers to questions on personal finance

by Joe Plemon 

Q:   Help!  We haven’t saved for Christmas and now, with our current bills, it is too late.  My husband, who is adamant about not spending money we don’t have,  says that we just won’t celebrate Christmas this year.  But because I can’t bear the thought of not having gifts for my family and children, I think we should make purchases on credit.  Any thoughts? 

A:  Yes.  I agree with your husband that you can’t spend money that you don’t have, but I don’t believe this means that you have to cancel Christmas this year.  It seems that both of you are thinking that you need to spend money in order to celebrate the season, but I encourage you both to consider how to honor Christ without going into debt.

              Maybe these ideas could help:

·         Depending on your children’s ages, offer, as a family unit, to serve others.  Volunteer at a food kitchen or a meals on wheels.  Together, make some homemade cookies and homemade cards to take to senior citizens in their homes or in nursing homes.  As you involve your children, explain to them that when we serve others, we are serving Jesus.

·         Give gifts of time.  Your husband could give a homemade certificate to your son good for a hunting trip or to your daughter to be redeemed for a date with her dad.  Give similar certificates to relatives for baby sitting or washing the car or mowing the lawn or washing windows.

·         Give something home made, such as a woodworking project, or decoupage, or crochet.  Frame some school pictures of the kids as gifts.  Offer to organize those old photos that your mother has stored in a box in her attic.  When you give of yourselves, you are exemplifying the true spirit of the season.

    This Christmas could be the most memorable and meaningful one you and your family have ever experienced.