Miserable Christmas ahead for many

Imagine that December 25 was just another ordinary day.
That's the harsh reality for some Wanganui families, for whom Christmas is just too expensive to celebrate, says a local budget adviser.
Wanganui Budget Advisory Services co-ordinator Sandy Fage  says up to 85 per cent of the more than 200 people she sees will struggle this Christmas, as commercial and peer pressures drive families further into debt.
And that was not including those on benefits, who  were destined to struggle as allowances failed to cover more than basic necessities, she said.
"The main group of people that we deal with don't have a Christmas. We recommended they go up to the War Memorial Hall for their Christmas dinner."
Ms Fage said the true cost of Christmas was usually realised in February, as credit card and account bills came in from the Christmas period.
"It's so easy to put it on the card and it's not until February when it comes back. But that's when kids are going back to school and they need books and uniforms. We're still battling to educate people that credit cards are not the answer."
Ms Fage said the latest gadgets,  such as Nintendo Wii, wireless headsets and PlayStations were expensive and impossible to ignore.
"I hate commercial pressure. Even our poorest families have televisions and they are bombarded with advertisements."
Ms Fage said they had noticed an increase in families they just could not help this year.
"Usually we can talk to creditors and verify that these people can't pay any more than, say, $5 a week. We've got people coming in who have been bankrupt in the past  ... so they're looking at court proceedings. We can't help with that, many have to go bankrupt again.
"It's not pretty out there in the community."
Ms Fage said they advised families who were struggling to focus on being together as a family at Christmas, instead of giving material things.
"It's about being able to give of your time. It can be really basic things but, when you've got nothing, it's better to give something that's not going to be financially straining. It's a really great thing."
Tips for minimising debt this Christmas:
Shop savvy over Christmas. Give the gift of vouchers that can be redeemed in Boxing Day or New Year sales for best value.
Put all the family names in a hat and pull out one name each, buy for that person only.
Give the gift of time. Make IOU vouchers to clean the car, wash the dishes or, for children, a voucher promising to read to them for an extra half an hour at night.
If you feel like you could help struggling families you can donate food to the foodbank, or contact local charitable services to see what you can do.
If you are having difficulty, Budget Advisory Services can help. Their number is 345 3746. The service is closed  from December 19 to  January 10 but urgent messages will be replied to.