Beware the Trap Of Ribbon and Wrap

You remember the poem by Mary Howitt that starts: "Will you walk into my parlor? said the spider to the fly. 'Tis the prettiest little parlor that ever you did spy . . . And I have many curious things to show you when you are there."

Well, are you like that fly? Are you being lured into spending more than you should for the holidays?

Now, some of you are saying to yourself, as the fly said to the spider, "Oh, no, no."

"Oh, no, no, I don't go into debt for Christmas," you say. "I save up for it. I use cash."

But at what price are you celebrating Christmas? What's your financial life like the rest of the year?

This year, the National Retail Federation reports, the average consumer plans to spend close to $800 for the holidays. These same shoppers also said they will spend another $100 on themselves.

"With gas prices coming down and consumer sentiment on the rise, shoppers want to celebrate the holidays in style," said Tracy Mullin, president and chief executive of the federation, in releasing the organization's annual Holiday Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey.

Mullin added that retailers will be sure to give consumers a reason to spend their extra disposable income in the stores by "enticing" them with incentives and special promotions.

As the spider did to the fly.

Before you go shopping this year, if you haven't already, do something for me: Clean your house.

Clean every room. Start with your child's bedroom and then move to the playroom, family room or wherever you store their playthings. Dump out the toy bins and boxes. Pull out all the books, every toy, game, electronic game system or systems and the software and accessories. Take out everything. Then just look at it all.

Next, go to your own room. Clean your bedroom closet. Then go down the hall and clean out the closet you use in the spare bedroom. Go through the cabinets and drawers in your kitchen.