broke for the holidays

You might be broke for the holidays if ...

1. you think Ebeneazor Scrooge is a great role model

2. the cashier at Wal-Mart begins to laugh hysterically after you swipe a credit card that you thought might have a little credit left on it to pay for your purchase

3. you decide that friends and family members really would prefer a homemade present from you even though you've never made anything homemade in your life

4. you ignore the Salvation Army bell ringer and use your pocket change to play the lottery

5. you raid your closet to find unused gifts from last year that you can wrap as presents this year

6. you undercut prices of the kid down the street to grab market share in the snow shoveling business in your neighborhood

7. you show up at your rich cousin's house for Thanksgiving and stay through New Year's Day

8. you volunteer to help at a soup kitchen so you can take your spouse out for dinner

9. you go Christmas caroling in your neighborhood and carry a very large tip jar

10. you head downtown to look for beggars you can borrow money from

11. you decide on a fresh cut Christmas tree this year ... and it's the tree that used to be in your next door neighbor's backyard

12. you announce that hors d' oeuvres for the party at your house will be served in the food section at Sam's Club

Okay, being broke for the holidays really isn't funny and is certainly no laughing matter if you are the one impacted by it. On the other hand, everyone knows that Americans are too materialistic in general and put way too much emphasis on spending money to make the holidays jolly. We also suspect this is going to be a much leaner holiday season for millions.

So this might be the year a number of individuals and families change their priorities and spending habits for the Christmas season out of necessity - and find themselves richer for the experience. That same individual or family will hopefully be reminded of the importance of generosity and giving in future years when they have plenty because they'll remember what it feels like to be without and be much more aware of the needy around them.

Whether broke or rolling dough this year. just remember that the ho ho ho that springs from a generous always sounds better than bah humbug heard from a miserly heart!

So how do you plan to spend the holidays?