The document provides tips for avoiding overspending and overindulging during the holidays in 3 paragraphs. It suggests [1] planning ahead with your family to set a budget and share responsibilities, [2] being realistic about gift budgets and considering non-material gifts, and [3] maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine to avoid weight gain and fatigue. The purpose is to help the reader enjoy the holidays without going overboard on spending, eating, or activities.

1. http://ns.tmnews.com/stories/2009/12/22/home.497243.tms?1261660532
Plan ahead to avoid splurging this week: ns.tmnews.com
By Glenda DeFord
Guest columnist
12/22/2009
QUESTION — Can you help me with some ideas for avoiding the overindulgence of the holidays? I end up spending and eating too much, feeling
exhausted, and sometimes wondering if it was all worth the effort.
ANSWER — It is easy to lose yourself in all the preparations for a major holiday and forget the real purpose for the celebration. Start with a
conversation with your family ahead of time.
It sounds like you might be the holiday maker in your family. This is the person who makes the holiday festivities happen for the family. I am hoping
your celebrations bring the family in to work together. There are enough jobs for everyone. My Swedish son-in-law once observed that the women do
all the work. The men get out the extra chairs, carry heavy stuff, take a bath and greet the guests. Of course, we know that he only saw a glimpse of
the preparations that made that observation look true. What went unseen is that my husband had shopped for and purchased most of the
pre-determined gifts and that we had worked together to decide a budget and how, when, where and with whom we were going to celebrate.
If there are to be gifts, be realistic about what your budget will allow and then set limits. Don’t overlook the gift of spending time doing a favorite activity
with someone, or making the present yourself. Ask everyone in the family for ideas, even the smallest child. My extended family actually cheered at
Thanksgiving one year when I suggested that we no longer purchase gifts except for grandparents and our own families. This took away the stress of
trying to buy something for an adult or child that we rarely saw or knew. Some extended family celebrations have adopted giving “white elephant” gifts
with categories for adults and children and the items can be new or used items.
Though Thanksgiving is the most food-centered holiday for me, every holiday potentially brings an expectation of the availability of certain treats. But
someone has to purchase, prepare and serve those. It was not until I had my own home and family that I realized what big expenditure of time, energy
and money went into preparing those meals and treats around the holidays. While many families bring dishes to share to a family gathering, some host
families intend to do it all. If you are willing to share the responsibility here, you might be less exhausted.
Right now, store aisles that hold chocolate-covered cherries and double-dipped chocolate covered peanuts call my name as do the chips and dips.
These are my holiday weaknesses (hint). I don’t need them. I want them. Staying on a healthy eating plan and continuing to exercise are keys to
avoiding the extra pounds at the holidays. If you need help with diet and exercise, check out mypyramid.com. Incorporating a new holiday family
tradition of exercise like a walk or hike would be a healthy way to spend time together.
Finally, celebrate by including some time for yourself. We want you around for many holidays to come.
Have a question about food and nutrition, human development or family resource management? Contact Glenda DeFord, Consumer and Family
Sciences Extension Educator, at the Lawrence County Extension office, 924 16th St., in Bedford, at 275-4623 or gdeford@purdue.edu.
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