You cannot escape it — the catchy melodies, flamboyant decorations and, of course, advertisements galore. The holiday season has begun and your wallet is about to get a lot lighter. ‘Tis the season to be jolly? More like ‘tis the season to go into debt as you blow your hard-earned cash on unnecessary indulgences.

What is on your wish list this year? Better yet, how many people are on your gift list? Chances are you want to do fun things for the holiday season. When shopping for presents and food, you will more than likely end up spending more than you planned because the stores have “prices you can’t beat,” “the best prices of the holiday season” and “buy five, get one half off.”

It’s all about the wording. Stores theses days have gotten really good at getting us to buy stuff by making their holiday specials sound like a deal, w.hen in reality you end up spending more than you planned and that really great deal you got, really was not that great.

So let’s be blunt here, how much money are you planning on spending this year? Write that number down and add $100 to that. According to Time Magazine, the average shopper spent $811 last holiday season, which was $112 more than they had planned. Additionally, Time Magazine reported, 13.6 million Americans still have not paid off last year’s holiday season bills.

It is the holiday season and of course, we are all in the clutches of commercialism. You will inevitably end up spending more than you planned you would, could and should.

The holiday season is supposed to be a joyous time. Spending money in excess in this economy is painful. The emphasis we have put on commercialism and the need to spend during the holiday season almost seems like an oxymoron.

Think about some of the gifts you have given and received over the past few years. Did you actually enjoy that heinous sweater your aunt got you from Anthropologie?

No. Your aunt wasted $75 on a piece of crap when you would have been just as happy with a card with a nice crisp bill inside of it.

Which brings me to my next point: stop giving people gift cards.

It is stupid and a waste of your money. According to Time Magazine, 27 percent of people who received gift cards in 2009 have still not used them.

Now think about your experience when shopping for gifts for those dear to you.

Do you sincerely think your best friend is going to wear that monogrammed necklace you bought her last year? Just because you saw a table with a big red sign that said “sale” does not mean you should get it for her.

Most importantly, material objects seem to be getting in the way of what we should truly be holding close to us: our family and friends. Spending time with your aunt and best friend should be more important than what they buy you, and what you bought them.