The familiar message from the church about the real meaning of Christmas is that it has nothing to do with rammed high streets and frenzied shopping trips. This year, however, even the Church of England seems to be acknowledging the fact that, for most families, the festive season means a spending spree so big it will land many in debt.
This week it launched the first in a series of online videos called Wishing you an affordable Christmas. The video, which makes no reference to mangers or stables, let alone baby Jesus, features Dr John Preston, the CofE's resources and stewardship officer, offering money saving tips to help consumers limit the cost of Christmas.
To help people avoid "panic shopping", Preston has set up a downloadable budgeting spreadsheet designed to help you plan your spending on gifts, food, travel and Christmas trees. Money saving tips include comparing prices online before purchasing and using cash instead of plastic when buying on the high street.
"When we pay with pound notes we really get a good idea of how much it's costing. Whether we spend £10 or £1,000 on a credit card it's one slip and one signature, whereas with cash you really feel the difference," Preston says.
It's not the most engaging of videos – Preston sitting in a small office looking at a laptop – but the tips are sound and he may reach an audience who would never normally read about personal finance. But by making the video is the CofE admitting that Christmas is now more a festival of consumerism than a religious celebration? And is it its job to offer financial advice?
