Fairfax, VA - October 20, 2009 — Halloween may still be more than a week away, but it's already beginning to look a lot like Christmas in stores. The Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies (AICCCA) advises consumers to plan carefully for their holiday expenses.

"Holiday spending is a very important part of a family's spending plan," said Dave Jones, president, AICCCA. "Consumers who can stick to their plan will be much better off when the New Year arrives."

The National Retail Federation says that consumers are planning to spend less at the winter holidays this year, for the second year in a row. To help consumers reach that goal, AICCCA offers five tips to have a special holiday with less:

1. Draw names. If you buy for a large circle of people that are all connected (like families or co-workers) this is one quick way to reduce the number of gifts on your list, which will, in turn, reduce the amount of money you spend. Even if everyone does not want to participate, you should be able to eliminate at least a few gifts if you draw names.



2. Set and stick to a dollar limit. Whether you draw names or not, you need a complete list of every person you will buy for. Assign a dollar amount to each name. As you purchase gifts, be sure to mark them off the list and also note the exact amount spent. If you simply cannot resist going over on the perfect tea set for Aunt Lucy, you'll need to make up the difference in someone else's gift.



3. Make a charitable donation in someone's name. The perfect gift for those hard to buy for on your list, a charitable donation comes with some added bonuses. You may be able to take a tax deduction for the year. Even more important, parents with children who are having a hard time understanding that it is better to give than to receive will find that a gift donation is a wonderful way to illustrate that point. Do a little on-line research of the charity and share some of the stories with your children and encourage them to share them in turn with the person the donation was made for.



4. Treat your recipients to baked goods, handmade items and unique secondhand gifts. Making something special for someone, whether it's a hand-knitted sweater or a tin of homemade cookies, shows you care enough to spend not just money, but time on them. Many unique, one-of-a-kind items can only be bought secondhand. Again, spending your time to research gift ideas tailored to specific people on your list makes your gift extra-special without breaking the budget. Used bookstores, garage and estate sales and secondhand stores should not be overlooked and may yield some great bargains.



5. Try old-fashioned entertaining, decorating and gift-wrapping ideas. Potluck suppers will allow everyone to contribute to your holiday affair. Stringing popcorn and cranberry chains for decorating while watching a holiday movie might become your favorite family activity this year. The Sunday comics make wonderful gift-wrap and are a fun and different way to recycle.

AICCCA recommends that all purchases be made with cash on hand using cash, check or debit card. When shopping, leave your credit cards at home so you won't be tempted to buy something that was not planned for.

If you need financial help, a qualified AICCCA member office can help get your financial life back on track. Call 866-703-8787 or visit www.aiccca.org to find an office to serve you.