With a little less than two weeks to go, some people are beginning to feel the stress of the holidays. However; with the economy in the crazy state it’s in, many people might be feeling less than celebratory. So, before you drive yourself crazy trying to keep up with the Jones’ let me share some holiday survival tips with you.

Celebrating the Christmas season “North American Style” has become a season of gluttony and greed and trying to satisfy everyone on your list may leave you feeling more like Scrooge than Santa, especially during an economic downturn. If you are among those holding the purse strings a little tighter this year, I have some advice to share.

Christmas need not be about how many things you can stuff in a stocking. In fact, it need not be about material things at all. Holidays are about getting together and sharing good food with family and friends. It’s about recalling and creating fond memories with those you love. It’s about reuniting and enjoying each other’s company and it’s about teaching little ones the true value of what is most important in this world.

Commercialism tries its hardest to pressure you into providing for and fulfilling that wish-list your child or sweetheart has come to expect. Still, the newest and latest gismo will not do much to replace the love and attention these wanting recipients really need. However; if you are of the mindset that the bigger the gift the more love is associated with it, you may miss the deeper message here.

If, on the other hand, you are looking for a Holiday that doesn’t come with a big financial obligation yet creates a huge emotional payoff then why not plan a theme based on an “Old Fashioned Christmas”: a time of hand-made cards, where the present was in the thought and the gift was in the companionship of the day; a time where people came together and were content in knowing they had each other, a time when people cared more about people than things!

I wish you a wondrous, safe and happy holiday season.

Larry