Wendel Abel - I AM WHAT I THINK THE LIST was long. Melissa could not decide. "I can't possibly buy all these gifts," she moaned to herself. "I just can't afford it."
The workers are expecting their bonus. This year business was very bad. The bank kept calling. What is Mr. Allen going to tell his staff?
"What do I tell my children this Christmas?" asked Angie. "Things just won't be the same."
What do all these persons have in common? They are all victims of the dreaded expectations of this season and along with this comes anxiety, fear, stress, guilt and, for many, disappointment. These expectations include the need to buy new clothes, throw parties, purchase new furniture, renovate the house and spend excessively.
To survive the Christmas woes, here are some tips:
1. Careful planning is important. It is easy to be caught up with the frenzy of shopping and the advertisements enticing you to buy. Making a list of things you need to do and items you need to buy can be of tremendous value.
2. Decide on your budget and try to stick to it. This will prevent excessive spending and reduce unnecessary expenditure and debts.
3. Rearrange your priorities. Decide on your needs and not your wants. It may not be possible to accomplish everything. For example, you may not be able to paint the entire house, select the most important areas.
4. Communicate with your family. This is especially so with the children. Let everyone be aware of the tight budget you are operating with and decide on the priorities together.
5. Do not allow yourself to feel guilty if you can't meet everyone's expectations. You can't be Santa to everyone.
6. Shop wisely. There are lots of options available and remember getting quality at the best price is important.
7. Avoid accumulating too much debt. Too many persons start the New Year burdened with debt due to panic buying at Christmas. Very often one can get better value for one's money by shopping outside of the holiday rush. If you can, wait. Delay. Leave the purchase for later.
8. Christmas is not all about money. It provides an opportunity for us to be with friends and loved ones. Make a conscious effort this Christmas to reconnect with family and loved ones.
With proper planning, a carefully-planned budget and priority setting much of the pain and strain of the season can be minimised.
Dr. Wendel Abel is a Consultant Psychiatrist and Senior Lecturer, University of the West Indies.
