Is it time to re-think Christmas?

Therapist, relationship expert and author of 'helpmesara.com', Sara Dimmerman thinks we need to take a step back from the commercialism of the season, and get back to basics. She believes we are only over-extending ourselves financially and emotionally.

She says, in recent years, families have put far too much emphasis on the gift giving portion of the season. Dimmerman's advice is to start getting more creative with your gifts, "Wouldn't it be amazing to create coupons that you could give to your kids that they could redeem for an hour of your time?" she says.

"Things like that, creative things, and get away from wish lists. Wish lists are a breeding ground for disappointment. Parents are always really upset at their kids for not showing gratitude and kids are always disappointed because they don't always get everything on their wish list."

Another tip: you don't need to buy something for every single person you know. That will lead to the financial stress that will stick around post-holiday season when you're still paying for the presents you purchased.

"We're trying to de-clutter our lives and so often people will accept gifts because it's not polite not too, but their first thought is often 'what am I going to do with this?', Dimmerman says.

One of the complaints she hears the most around this time of the year, is that people are stressed out trying to continue family traditions that take up far too much time or require too much effort.

"it's really hard to change and it often creates a lot of fear and a lot of guilt  because we're used to doing things the way our parents did things and we follow what's been passed down from generation to generation, but sometimes you'll be amazed at how wonderful it can be to change things up."