by Hannah Curtis

Created on: December 05, 2008

It is human nature to exceed one's income and give into extravagance. Advertising and the consequent pressure placed on society at each holiday results in excess money being spent, and a deepening of debt for families. Money and expensive gifts have quickly taken over the significance of each individual holiday. This is particularly true of religious holidays, where the decorations, hype, expense, greed and advertising has almost made the religious significance obsolete.

The thought behind the gift should be considered key, and the emphasis remaining on the significance of the holiday. The Christmas holiday tends to be the most expensive time of year, however this need not be the case. Most local Churches and schools hold bazaars, where great gift bargains can be brought at a fraction of the retail price. The internet also has amazing deals on stocking fillers. The High Streets have been suffering for a while and survive only due to sales. Thus there are now sales up to 70% off leading up to the Christmas period, providing opportunity to spend wisely over this holiday.

Another way to save money is to be sensible in the amount brought, it is not necessary to buy a number of expensive for each person. One or two costly gifts could be exchanged along with a number of small inexpensive presents for stocking fillers. It is wise to set an affordable budget for gifts and to remain within it. The gifts are meant to be merely a token, a celebration of the Saviour's birthday. This is at times forgotten, in the excitement and stress of the holiday.

Many new parents become very excited when it's their baby's first Christmas. It is guaranteed that they will overspend, buying a huge number of gifts. This is completely unnecessary as the baby is completely unaware of the holiday. They are perfectly content to be mesmerised by the lighted tree and to tear away at wrapping paper. A baby's first Christmas could be kept really simple and inexpensive.

Easter is another expensive holiday for parents. Babies receive yellow fluffy chick teddies and cuddly rabbits, as a reminder of spring, whilst older children receive chocolate. Once again the expense is unnecessary, the shops make a fortune in their clever marketing of chocolate and the public is annually fooled into willingly paying out for overpriced chocolate treats. Children do not need to have six, eight eggs, costing at least five pounds each. One of two would suffice and money could be saved easily.

Finally mothers and fathers days are just another excuse for the shops to overprice their stock and reel in gullible young customers, persuading them to buy unneeded gifts. Most mothers would be content with breakfast in bed, flowers, chocolate, and a home made card. Fathers also would be happy with any little gift. Once again it is the gesture which is important and the thought behind it. Expense does not equate generosity, and the thought is far more significant than the price.

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