by Maureen Thomas

Created on: November 10, 2008   Last Updated: November 13, 2008

Break the Holiday Chains: The Upside of a Bad Economy

Take back the holidays. Images of battling elves and legions of singing Christmas trees abound. Every year you tell yourself that things are going to be different; you're not going to be sucked in to the vortex of meaningless consumption. Gift giving has become as inspired as a stroll through the express lane in the supermarket, because, after all, isn't that where the gift cards are parked, eagerly awaiting activation?

The recent economic downturn poses a challenge to many this holiday season. However, the upside of lack of money is that it provides you with the perfect excuse against the overindulgence. You've wanted to do it forever. Now, courtesy of Wall Street, Fannie and Freddie, the Democrats, the Republicans, or whoever you want to blame, you can legitimately just say "no" to

Holiday Traveling even though it has come down a bit, gas is still outrageous. This means scaling back on the endless round of houses you are required to hit in the 36-hour Christmas-Eve/Christmas Day time period. The same goes for Chanukah/Kwanzaa, where the eight night window provides even greater opportunities for senseless scurrying.

"So sorry, Aunt Mathilda. What with gas prices being so high, we are keeping it strictly local this year." Or switching off on relatives' houses (really stick to itONE house this year, ONE house next.) If there is any way you can be strong and stay home on Christmas day, preferably in your pajamas, watching movies, playing with your toys, eating Chinese takeout or leftover cheese and crackers, you will be guaranteed at least one relaxing day during the holiday mania.

Grab Bag/Yankee Gift Swap. Both are just an exercise in annoyance, with people bickering over their under-$20 gift. Instead, this year, donate $20 to your favorite charity, and arrive after the gifts have been swapped. Better yet, encourage others to print out stats on their favorite charity, spend 30 minutes sharing charitable ideas/pledges with each other rather than bickering over who got the desk lamp and who got the bottle of Bailey's.

Excessive Gifting- Once again, economics are the perfect reason to bow out. "We're just doing for our immediate family; frankly, we can't afford it" whether true or a teensy white lie, these words, spoken with sincerity and humbleness, will save you from hours of time and buckets of money spent in resentment, not out of love. If you must exchange, talk your family/friends into "re-gifting or handmade only", or limit all shopping for adults and teens to Goodwill/consignment stores. You can keep way under budget and find awesome books, accessories, Christmas bric-a-brac, for those that may shy away from "used" clothes.

You won't be able to escape all of it, and you are probably still several years away from a truly enjoyable, relaxing holiday season. Allow moderation in all things holiday to be your silver lining in the black cloud of our economy.

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