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| This week in The Grizzly Detail |
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| The City of White Settlement Parks and Recreation Department has invited everyone to share in their Western Christmas Holiday Event Friday, Dec. 5, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. A special visit from Santa is planned as well as Rudolph and other characters, so don't forget to bring your camera. A Christmas cartoon along with a petting zoo, train rides, and pony rides will be available for the children. The event is FREE to the community and free refreshments will be served. For more information, contact the City of White Settlement at 817-246-5012. |

| This week in The Grizzly Detail |
| Christmas on a budget By A.C. Hall The stock market plunged 680 points Monday with the official announcement that the United States has been in a recession since December 2007. The announcement was no real surprise to anyone who could read the headlines in the past few months. Dow Plunges to Lowest Level in Years. Stocks Crash Again. Another day, another plunge. When will it get better? These are just a small sample of the headlines that have dominated the media over the past months as uncertain economic times have become the norm in the global economy. When facing the biggest shopping season of the year and a holiday that most define by the giving and receiving of gifts, it’s always tough to keep finances in order and that’s when things are going well. This year, when times are even tougher than usual, several families across the country will need to look at ways to reduce spending this holiday season. One of the toughest but most effective ways of making Christmas cheaper is to reduce the number of people you buy gifts for. While the immediate thought that comes to mind may be that there’s no one you can cut, it helps to list all the names of people you normally purchase gifts for. Chances are the list will be much more extensive than you at first imagined it would be. While giving is many people’s favorite part of the holiday season, this is certainly a year when it may be prudent to find some of the ancillary names on your list and mark them off. This could include distant relatives (in which case you could not only cut down on gift costs but also on shipping costs), co-workers, or even friends. Instead send a warm Christmas card to these people. While it may not be ideal, it’s a big step you can take in cutting costs this holiday season. If the people are true friends and loved ones they’ll certainly understand why you needed to exclude them from getting a gift this year and chances are they’re likely to be taking the same types of measures to save. If cutting the list just can’t be imagined, think about baking them something special for the holidays or if you are crafty, making them a Christmas ornament or a handmade home decoration. The gesture will surely be appreciated. A “secret Santa” gift giving situation is a great way to save money and have fun at Christmas time. Instead of every member of a family or group buying presents for each and every other person, everyone places their name in a hat and then draws one name. This ensures that everyone will be getting a gift, but also that everyone will be responsible for purchasing only one gift. For added fun, once you know who you’ll be purchasing a gift for you don’t tell them, instead keeping it a secret until the present is given. Setting a price limit that everyone has to adhere to is another way to make this an effective system that can be a fun way of saving money this holiday season. Another way that many families are reining in the spending this year is by pledging only to buy presents for the children in the family. While every adult likes to receive presents it’s much easier for a grown up to understand not receiving a gift than it is for a kid. Adults are aware that Christmas is a holiday with much deeper meaning than just receiving presents and can still have an enjoyable time even when not receiving gifts. Add some special activities on to your regular holiday traditions to have more fun and take the spotlight off the lack of presents. This could be done by way of playing games, watching holiday movies together, or just enjoying a big Christmas dinner together. Although your family may certainly be feeling the pinch of holiday spending, chances are there are others who may be less fortunate. Some families can not only not afford gifts, but a holiday meal is out of the question as well. One way to reduce holiday costs for your family while still remembering the true spirit of the season involves serving others. Consider asking your children to give up 1 gift each so that they can choose one of the “angels” on trees located in various places in the area and help them learn the true joy of giving. If you are really feeling like serving, choose a shelter and help serve a holiday meal. Christmas is a great time to teach children the important lessons of giving to others. These are just a few examples of ways you can lessen the financial impact of the upcoming holiday. Whatever you choose to do, taking the focus away from purchasing and receiving items and instead placing it on spending time with the family could be a perfect formula for a warm and unforgettable Christmas. |