Are You Having a Black White or Red Christmas?
Written by Margaret Johnson | Monday, 05 December 2011
I noticed the Christmas music hit the air waves in November. It seemed a bit early this year. Usually December gives us a full month of Christmas carols to enjoy. Of course Black Friday, the day following the US thanksgiving celebrations, is now considered the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. And, what a day that was.
According to a report from CBC news on November 28th, a record 226 million shoppers spent $11.4 Billion on Black Friday, November 24th 2011. On-line sales were up from $648 Million to $816 Million, and, for the month of November, online sales totaled $12.74 Billion.
US retailers certainly are singing Ho Ho Ho and dancing to Christmas carols early. Not so sure about the Canadian retailers, who are undoubtedly banking on a Black Christmas rather than Black Friday. What I mean by Black Christmas refers to people shopping their brains out for the Christmas season. And this is exactly what happens every year, and for many of us, it actually makes us feel good. It feels good to give. The only problem is this. What is black for retailers might be red for consumers.
Red refers to red ink on your bank statement or simply any kind of debt. You don’t notice it under the green Christmas tree because you don’t see it until the end of January or as late a February. Its part of the post Christmas blues.
For a white Christmas I would suggest people consult Bing Crosby recordings. Let it snow in your hearts or out there in climates that support the festive stuff.
So, let me turn on the yellow light of caution this Christmas. Instead of going overboard with the temporary glitz and glamour of Christmas gifts let me suggest giving the real thing, love and time to the most significant people in our lives. These are the priceless gifts.
For all the rest, here is my top ten list.
Top Ten List for Christmas
1. Create an overall budget of all of your Christmas spending for all family members and friends. Make sure that this budget is reasonable and affordable and then stick to it.
2. Agree to only spend so much on gifts with all family members and friends and stick to it.
3. Pool resources to purchase one gift of value for parents and grandparents instead of several small ones. This approach eliminates competition and unites the spirit of giving into an integrated family activity.
4. Be creative. Create unique gifts and Christmas cards using your own poetry. Write personal messages rather than paying for over-used clichés and wasting money on gifts that will not bring pleasure and gratitude.
5. Make your own wine and beer. Today’s technology is safe and the products are tasteful.
6. Consider coupon and rebate items.
7. Shop around for the best prices. Also focus on gifts that fulfill real needs as this raises the appreciation for the recipient and may reduce the wastage of money on frivolous, unwanted and unneeded stuff.
8. Consider gift certificates especially for those you do not know what to get. This allows them to select what they want and take advantage of after Christmas sales and prices.
9. Instead of purchasing gifts for everyone in the family and extended families draw numbers for adult family members or use some other formula that reduces the volume of gifts.
10. Do not go overboard. Keep the spirit of Christmas at the forefront and the gifts as a symbol of this spirit. Where there is a shortage of income or resources, avoid going over your head into debt.
US retailers certainly are singing Ho Ho Ho and dancing to Christmas carols early. Not so sure about the Canadian retailers, who are undoubtedly banking on a Black Christmas rather than Black Friday. What I mean by Black Christmas refers to people shopping their brains out for the Christmas season. And this is exactly what happens every year, and for many of us, it actually makes us feel good. It feels good to give. The only problem is this. What is black for retailers might be red for consumers.
Red refers to red ink on your bank statement or simply any kind of debt. You don’t notice it under the green Christmas tree because you don’t see it until the end of January or as late a February. Its part of the post Christmas blues.
For a white Christmas I would suggest people consult Bing Crosby recordings. Let it snow in your hearts or out there in climates that support the festive stuff.
So, let me turn on the yellow light of caution this Christmas. Instead of going overboard with the temporary glitz and glamour of Christmas gifts let me suggest giving the real thing, love and time to the most significant people in our lives. These are the priceless gifts.
For all the rest, here is my top ten list.
Top Ten List for Christmas
1. Create an overall budget of all of your Christmas spending for all family members and friends. Make sure that this budget is reasonable and affordable and then stick to it.
2. Agree to only spend so much on gifts with all family members and friends and stick to it.
3. Pool resources to purchase one gift of value for parents and grandparents instead of several small ones. This approach eliminates competition and unites the spirit of giving into an integrated family activity.
4. Be creative. Create unique gifts and Christmas cards using your own poetry. Write personal messages rather than paying for over-used clichés and wasting money on gifts that will not bring pleasure and gratitude.
5. Make your own wine and beer. Today’s technology is safe and the products are tasteful.
6. Consider coupon and rebate items.
7. Shop around for the best prices. Also focus on gifts that fulfill real needs as this raises the appreciation for the recipient and may reduce the wastage of money on frivolous, unwanted and unneeded stuff.
8. Consider gift certificates especially for those you do not know what to get. This allows them to select what they want and take advantage of after Christmas sales and prices.
9. Instead of purchasing gifts for everyone in the family and extended families draw numbers for adult family members or use some other formula that reduces the volume of gifts.
10. Do not go overboard. Keep the spirit of Christmas at the forefront and the gifts as a symbol of this spirit. Where there is a shortage of income or resources, avoid going over your head into debt.
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