Welcome to Black Friday and to the kick-off of the Season of More, where stores open early, stay open all night and offer you incentives to come and charge the holidays away. Buy one, get one free offers call your name.

Your kids shared their wish lists and if they were good all year, why not shower them with gifts for the next month? Between TV ads, catalogs in the mail, Internet pop ups and talk on Facebook about the latest and greatest, maybe your kids forgot what makes them smile, and maybe you did too.

The time is now! This might be your only chance to land the perfect gift and take advantage of a deal of a lifetime! The holidays only come once a year, so why not splurge? You know you want to and you too, have been good all year. Why not pull that credit card out that you save for emergencies for this special occasion?

Here’s Why:

• Christmas is not an emergency.
• No one will remember what kind of wrapping paper you used.
• More presents under the tree does not make a more memorable holiday.
• You don’t want to pay for Christmas 2010 all year long in 2011.
• It feels good to opt out of the yankee swap, pink elephant or other crazy gift exchanges.
• The gift of an emergency fund will make you smile longer than something shiny and new.
• A BYOB party is just as much fun as an open bar if you invite people you love.
• Volunteering at a homeless shelter will fill you up more deeply than dinner out with overpriced holiday entrees.

During the holidays, you are compelled to spend more on food, decor, entertainment, gifts, dining out, party planning, travelling and more. By the end of December, you are fat, tired and broke. By the beginning of January, you resolve to be thin, energetic and wealthy. See the problem?

The solution is simple. Stop the madness and simplify. No Credit Cards – No Matter What. By using cash, you will likely spend less, eat less, and do less. Don’t worry, you will still do more than usual, and you will still indulge, but maybe, with a little less spending, the holidays will mean even more.

I think you’re ready! When I posted this on twitter: Keep the holidays simple: No credit cards. No matter what. – Are you with me?”

Here’s what you had to say:

• Absolutely!
• Cash only? This could be hard.
• I’m with you. (I, er, don’t even have one!). 🙂
• Already there 🙂 I don’t like debt at all and the holidays are no exception
• Heck yeah!
• I already stopped using my credit card (well…except for car rentals sometimes)
• YES! this is the 2nd Christmas in a row with no credit cards!
• I’m in!
• Are you kidding? We are all homemade this year even.
• I am sooooooo with you.

If you are still thinking about using credit cards because you think you won’t have enough tinsel on the tree, or enough food to offer visitors, or enough big gifts to give away, let me remind you…You have enough. You are enough.

Spending less might mean that you get to participate more fully in the season. The real meaning of Christmas or whatever December holiday you celebrate is not in your wallet, a beautifully wrapped box or inside a cookie. You know what it is, but maybe you’ve been to stressed, and tired to experience it. Maybe it’s time to try something new.

Still considering a shopping spree today or this weekend? Read this!

What do you think about giving up your credit cards and spending less? What can you do to more fully experience the holidays without spending?