Christman blues............Pain and decision making

As Christmas is not long away, I feel compelled to express my feeling about the whole thing. I fear as many would say, Christmas season has lost its real meaning and value as years go by. This very special period has been turned into yet another money making scheme, peer pressure amongst individuals and a time to simply overindulge, overspend, and peer pressure especially amongst youngsters. It's no longer considered a family time but a time for comparing presents and spending, funny though... I always feel like Christmas always ends on the Christmas morning after everyone opens their pressents...... and then the spirit of Christmas simply dies out. Then comes either happiness or resentments.
One never knows exactly what to do that is right or wrong, rarely most people get what they wished or expected. This in itself is a very stressing time for husbands, wives, siblings and of course parents especially......, and as if that was not enough, lenders are taking this season to both pressurising people into taking out more loans, and for those who are already owing...., they have being systematically intimidated or taunted to the point of personally and mentally breaking down.

Just today I bumped into a friend of mine who did not know what to do about the handling of the Xmass celebrations ... or not!!! and she was besides herself... to say the least...... on one hand she owes money which is due before X-mass, on the other she has to buy presents for family members whose birthdays lands on the X-mass season , to make matter's worse.... it seems all her utility bills have arrived at almost the same time... (in red!!!!!!), in which case she has to make the most difficult decision.... she most definitely needs gas, water and electricity, that's for sure,.... she also needs food for the family.... (definitely).... and the loan company wants their money before the 23/12/09!!!!!!!! or she faces bailiffs at the door...possibly on X-mass day... and of course "court action" to top it all.... Santa better come with something!!!!! or the family will be hitting the roof!!!! (especially the youngsters.) So my dear friends, tell me what advise I should have given to this friend of mine???? I stood there in a confused state, because the more I tried to analyse her situation the harder it was for me to give a definitive response. I was not sure nor did I know what exactly I could say to her that would be right or wrong, I did not want to risk the so and so advised me so.......situation.... So, This is for everyone out there, if you have any thoughts on the idea please feel free to leave some comments, for I am sure there is more than one individual out there facing this kind of situation may be similar or less, especially during this financial climate. WISHING YOU ALL HAPPY HOLIDAYS ENJOY YOUR TIME TOGETHER AS FRIENDS OR FAMILIES OR EVEN COMMUNITIES, AND WHATEVER YOU DECIDE TO DO, PLEASE DO MAKE SURE YOU DO
NOT GO BEYOND YOUR MEANS....... IT CATCHES UP WITH YOU EVENTUALLY.... STAY BLESSED AND MAY THE ALMIGHTY GOD GUIDE AND WATCH OVER YOU ALL...