Holidays

The Consumer Federation of America and the Credit Union National Association suggest the following tips to avoid getting deep in debt during the holidays:
Budget Holiday Spending: Before you start shopping, decide how much you can afford to spend and stay within that budget.
Make A List: Staying within this budget will be much easier if you make a price list of all gifts and other holiday items you plan to purchase. It's easy to overlook extra expenses for holiday foods, party clothes, holiday decor and postage.
Comparison Shop: You can easily save more than 10 percent on most items, sometimes considerably more, by comparing prices at different stores.
Pay Off Debts As Quickly As Possible: If you must make holiday purchases using credit, early next year pay off this debt as soon as possible. Remember that credit card debt is relatively expensive.
Plan For Next Year: While Christmas Club accounts do not pay much interest, they provide a practical way to save small amounts over time.
Holiday - legal day off: a day set aside by law or statute as exempt from regular labor or business activities, usually to celebrate or commemorate something that happened on or near that date; a public holiday
Vacation - break from work: a period of time devoted to rest, travel, or recreation
Celebrate- mark occasion; to mark a special occasion or day by ceremonies or festivities
Festivity - celebration: a celebration, feast, or party, enjoyment or merry making typical of a celebration
Outing - excursion: a short pleasure trip usually lasting no more than a day
Present/gift- something that is given to somebody out of kindness or to celebrate an occasion such as a birthday
Field Day - Fairs and circuses used to always set up in fields. Whenever these events came to town it was a special time. Thus, it has come to mean an enjoyable or especial time.
be on the road- be traveling.
"You won't be able to contact me tomorrow because I'll be on the road."
Time flies when you're having fun- something that you say which means that time passes quickly when you are enjoying yourself.
What are the special holidays in your country?
Do you celebrate it with your family or friends?
Does your family celebrate this holiday? When does the celebration for this holiday generally start?
What are some of the things that are done to show that this holiday is being observed?
Are there specific prayers or blessings that go with the holiday?
Is it a religious holiday?
Is attending a temple or a church on that day part of the celebration? Are there special foods connected with the holiday?
Have you eaten any of these foods?
Do you or did you like the foods?
Can you make these foods? Are you good at making them? Is gift giving a part of this holiday?
Are there specific types of gifts to be given?
Who are they given to? What does the holiday stand for? Why is this holiday celebrated?
Do you enjoy the holiday?
Why or why not? Do you decorate the outside of your house for the holiday?
Do your neighbors decorate their house?
How is the house decorated?
Is the inside decorated? How? What is your favorite holiday song?
Do you think holidays are important? Why?
What kinds of thing do you like to do on the holidays?
What special clothing/customs are associated with your favorite holiday?
What is your favorite holiday memory? Tell us about it.
If you had a long holiday, what will you do with it?
Do you celebrate holidays differently now than you did when you were a child?
What is your favorite holiday food?
Where is the best place to be for the holidays?
Do you do something different during this holiday?