As we embark on the holiday season many of you will make great financial sacrifices to please the ones you love and appease the rest with Christmas gifts. Not I say’s the cat! I comedian Mark Gregory has devised a full proof plan that gets me out of purchasing gifts for anyone year in and year out. My plan will give you the Christmas exemption card you need to by pass every bright eyed soul expecting a gift. Over the past years I've had some great excuses! “I am sending all my extra money to the Teabow's, missionary's in the Philippines, planning for a wedding, starting my kid’s college fund and this years excuse is, drum roll please....

“The Lord called me on a financial fast” Now I know you’re thinking WHAT!!! But let me break it down to you. No one can argue with Jesus, regardless of how crazy the idea is. It’s kind of like singing a Gospel song in the school talent show. No matter how bad you may sound, people will not boo you. There are some rules to this though. Step one; your friends and family must be notified of your fast at the last minute. This ensures that you will still receive a gift. If you make the announcement too early they will scratch you off their gift list or have time to return your gift. And when they give you your gift, you have to say "praise God, I knew he would honor my sacrifice, thanks for allowing him to use you."

Step two: You can’t receive a gift and not give anything in return, but that does not mean you have to spend money to do so. Make a photo copy of the gift you were going to give them and when you give it to them say. “I stand in agreement with you that you will receive this gift speedily…In Jesus name amen!”

The final step is the best one yet! It has an element of reverse psychology in it. Now, even though you made your family members aware of your financial fast there still may be a few people that are not buying it. After step three, all parties will be on board. Step three: gather all family members together for a word of prayer. Reiterate, your financial fast and the reason for doing it. Then ask all to pray for you that you have the strength & wisdom in your decision making to stay disciplined and complete your assignment. After the prayer people will feel bad for expecting a gift or questioning you.

Finally, you have to end the prayer with “some of you all expected a gift, but I thank you all for understanding hearts” There you have it, and 1 2 3 steps to a burden free Christmas. Just one of the ways the middle don’t dip down into poverty.