Redefine the Spirit of Gift-Giving

The first step in gifting more than money is securing a general agreement that includes everyone, from kids to grandparents, as well as budget-conscious parents. When everyone "buys" into these ideas, creative spirits take over.

• Family grab bag: Instead of stressing out for the perfect gift for everyone on your list, cut your list to one! Put everyone's name in a hat and draw for the name of the person who will receive your gift. Be sure to put a limit on it, maybe only $10 or $20, so you lower expectations and increase the challenge.
• Gifts of service: Who says a great gift has to cost a lot? Giving of yourself, your time and talents can mean so much more. So kids can create "gift certificates" for promises to take out the trash, or walk the dog, without being asked twice. They can attach little tear-off coupons to their card so Mom can present them to remind them of their gift-promise. And parents can equally promise inexpensive gift certificates, for a free ride to the movies for the whole gang, or for a special dinner to be cooked at home, or a week of no-nagging!
• Gifts of time: For some family members, time is more valuable than money ever could be. Spending an afternoon with Grandma or driving her shopping might not sound like a teen's idea of fun, but what a gift it would be. And for a busy dad, promising to coach the Little League team might be more costly, and more appreciated, than even a new mitt.

Your family can create its own new tradition, one that is affordable and won't bring a January blizzard of bills to pay. The challenge is to get everyone to agree, and that's best done on a full stomach, just before kickoff! Timing is everything!

This doesn't have to be a gloomy holiday season, even if it is a thrifty one. It can be different, and better. Western Union, the company that facilitates cash transfers around the world, notes the change.

Around Labor Day, it surveyed Americans' preference for cash as a gift, a number that has risen sharply in the midst of the financial crisis of the past two months. Now, 65% of Americans say they would prefer to receive $100 in cash rather than a specific present or gift card valued at the same amount.

And if they do get cash, far fewer would spend it on a treat for themselves. More than half of those who would prefer cash say they would spend it on basic necessities such as gas, groceries and bills.

So, if you simply must give a gift that your recipient won't exchange, money will be appreciated, not only by family and friends, but by the charities that will be hard-pressed to help suddenly needy families this holiday season.

We're back to basics, and that isn't all bad. Talking about money, or the lack of it, doesn't have to ruin the holiday spirit. In fact, a frank discussion with family and close friends could make everyone appreciate the positive aspects of our life. And that's The Savage Truth.