Ah well, that time of year is upon us once more. If you don’t believe me, listen to the radio stations for your daily dose of Christmas songs. Take a walk downtown and through the shopping malls and you will be convinced.

Christmas has spiritual significance for many, but there are countless others who view it as just a holiday and a very festive one at that. By Boxing Day of course, everyone is willing to concede that they don’t know what all the fuss was about since Christmas has come and gone as usual. But come what may, when we realize that the Christmas season has begun, our rally cry appears to be "Make way, we’re coming through, shopping like crazy".

If you usually succumb to the urge to "fix up" and "put away" your house for the holidays, and feel that you must take part in the shopping frenzy, I have some tips that will save you time and money.

• Make a list and check it twice.
  Yes make a list of "To Do’s" which should include, things to do, and things to buy, people to call, or people to visit. Every couple of days check and revise your list to keep it current.
• Don’t shop without your list and don’t stray from it.
  It makes no sense to make a list and then leave it at home when you go shopping. One way to ensure that you always have it with you is to keep it in your wallet. In an effort to not spend more than you can afford, buy only those items that are on your list. Whatever is not listed, can wait until sometime next year.
• Barter with chores:
  Exchange chores with friends, neighbors or relatives. If you are out during the day and they are at home, you can pick up their paint or collect various items for them during your lunch hour or on your way home. They in turn can do some baking for you, or do some of your laundry. Perhaps you are very talented at making all kinds of craft items. If so, make wreaths and other Christmas decorations for a friend, in exchange, she could give your rooms a fresh coat of paint.
• There are things you can do without.
  You do not have to have a Christmas tablecloth, Christmas napkins, or Christmas dinnerware. The usual Christmas spread of ham, turkey etc. will taste the same whether they are served on fine china, your regular everyday dishes or paper plates. Does your house really need a full paint job, or could a simple, inexpensive touch-up do?
• Oh Christmas tree.
  Do you believe that "Christmas just isn’t Christmas without a Christmas tree?" It is a lovely tradition especially for children but the time will come when they will be no longer excited to decorate it much less then take it down. When that time comes it is time to reconsider its importance.
• Christmas presents.
  Are you obsessive about buying a gift for everyone you know? You really should not feel compelled to give a gift to every co-worker, everyone in your class, every member of your boyfriend’s immediate family, or your in-laws (who may not even like you). Refuse to feel guilty for not being able (financially) to buy presents for everyone. If you can’t afford to give presents to as many people as you wish, do not use the children’s school fees or January’s mortgage payment to do so. Wish them good cheer and a bright New Year.

Give the gift of time: If you couldn't find the time to spend with friends during the year, spend an evening together. You could visit the mall, on the evening when there are carolers serenading the shoppers. You can eat, browse through the stores and share a meal. Fun time spent in this manner can create lasting memories.

All right, so you’ve already done your shopping and you are feeling guilty for spending much more than you intended. You "maxed" out your credit card and you are nursing a mild headache because you can see that you’ll be broke right through to May next year. You’re nursing the usual headache accompanied by the relevant body pains. Nonetheless, you are satisfied that you finished just in time to hit the pillow one minute before midnight on Christmas Eve. You struggle to find just the right spot to settle you aching body, you vow again this year, not to get so caught up in the Christmas spending frenzy in 2005.

Nevertheless, the refrigerator is stocked with the customary eats and drinks just waiting to be enjoyed. Every inch of your home, both within and without has been cleaned, polished and decorated and the windows are dressed to the hilt in spanking new curtains. The Christmas tree stands in your living room in all its glorious splendor surrounded by a mountain of neatly wrapped gifts.

Whether or not you "fix up" and "put away" your home, whether you spend a little or too much money, I wish you a wonderful and joyous Christmas and all the prosperity possible in the New Year.

Cheryl Wright is an interior design consultant and freelance writer who lives in the West Indies where the customary mad rush to get the house ready for the Christmas holiday is alive and well.
You may contact Cheryl by e-mail below:

This article Copyright ©2004 - Cheryl Wright. Reproduced with permission.