As you can imagine, a lot of people are looking for new ways to cut back on their holiday spending this year. The projected average amount to be spent this season is down 50% from last year. If you're someone looking to decrease your spending this year while still having a great Christmas season, I have one great money saving idea for you: Remember what Christmas is all about.

The holidays are about being able to spend time with family and friends and enjoying each others' company. Christmas specifically is about celebrating the birth of Christ, not about giving or receiving presents. As it's finally now clear to see, consumers have had a spending problem for the past few years which has led up to the current financial crisis. People have been spending more than they make, financing big purchases with debt, and living far beyond their means. The irony of it all is that the more material possessions you have, the more you are distracted from the things that bring you true joy in life. While some may argue that their possessions do bring them true joy, nothing compares to a good time with family and friends. This can't be bought or replaced by anything else.

Now I'm not going to provide a list of the things that you can do with family and friends that are cheap or free over the holidays. Just think about some of the best times you've had with anyone during the holiday season and see what you can come up with. For me, I think of sledding, board games by the fire, snowball fights, and watching movies, just to name a few.

If you are looking for a good list of frugal Christmas ideas, you can find one here. Otherwise just be creative and make this Christmas about the people you care about. Of course you're still going to exchange presents with people, but try to think of how you can make someone's Christmas special and memorable. I guarantee anything that you can give to someone that will truly be remembered and appreciated for a lifetime will not be bought in a store.

Happy Thanksgiving and thanks for stopping by Behave Your Finance. Please come back and visit again soon.