There’s no doubt about it – a huge percentage of Americans are concerned about the economy as the holiday season approaches, but there’s no sign that this will dampen their spirits. In fact, a new poll from the Center for a New American Dream shows that more than half of all Americans (54%) feel that spending less money on gifts will actually allow them to focus more on the true meaning of the holidays. The poll was conducted for the Center for a New American Dream by Widmeyer Research and Polling.

"The poor economy is weighing heavily on people, but it’s also true that Americans are using this holiday season to focus on what really matters," said Betsy Taylor, President of the Center for a New American Dream. "Is the holiday supposed to be about racing from mall to mall and going into debt, or should it be about giving from the heart?"

As the 2002 holiday season approaches, consumer confidence has fallen to its lowest level in nearly a decade. According to the new poll, 64% of Americans are concerned about economic uncertainty as the holiday season approaches, and more than half (53%) express concern about their family’s employment situation. Nevertheless, fewer than three in ten (28%) said that it’s necessary to spend a lot of money in order to have a fulfilling and enjoyable holiday and nearly four out of five (77%) Americans surveyed said that they would like to have a more simplified holiday season this year.   

The Center for a New American Dream has a variety of free resources for Americans who would like to have a simpler, more meaningful holiday this year.

Here are some of their suggestions for avoiding costly holiday spending:

– Give the gift of time — design a gift certificate that offers babysitting, a home-cooked meal or a monthly lunch date with an elderly relative or friend.

– Chronicle your family history by assembling photographs, letters and important documents.

– Frame a meaningful photograph or put together a photo album or book of family recipes.

– Host a potluck instead of having to cook the entire holiday feast alone.

– Ask grandparents to give youngsters a gift of music or sports lessons instead of another toy.

– Donate to a charity in the name of a loved one.

You'll find many more ways to save money, give fun, innovative gifts and connect with friends and family on the Center For a New American Dream's fantastic website – www.newdream.org. Visitors to the site have downloaded over 25,000 free copies of the Center’s popular Simplify the Holidays brochure, and the brochure is now in its third printing (hard copies are available for $4 by calling 877-68-DREAM).

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