• Originally published November 16, 2009 at midnight, updated November 17, 2009 at 3:20 p.m.

The holidays are quickly approaching. It is a time of celebration, gathering with family and friends. The season, though, can also bring additional financial and wellness challenges.

The first thing that comes to mind is money when I think about Christmas presents or the traveling expenses and additional food expenses associated with Thanksgiving.

You can do a few things in advance to plan financially for these events.

Create a new budget, or as I like to call it, "a spending plan" for November and December. Because these two months often bring added expenses, we must plan accordingly.

What line items in your budget will you reduce so you can afford to cater that holiday meal and buy presents for friends, co-workers and family members?

Budgeting will allow you to pay cash for everything instead of charging outrageous amounts you cannot pay off when your bill comes in.

Make realistic expectations. Remember (as the giver and receiver) we all have different incomes and expenses. For example, it is not realistic to think you can buy your children or parents a gift that is equal in monetary value to a gift bought by a family member who makes twice as much as you.

Don't put that type of pressure on yourself. The real meaning of the season is not who can spend the most.

The holidays should be a time of renewed faith, reflection, giving to those less fortunate than ourselves, and spending quality time with friends and family.

The next thing I think of during the holiday season is wellness.

Every gathering will most likely involve food. So what can you do to avoid gaining additional weight during the holidays?

Focus on fruits and vegetables. Fill your plate half full of these two food groups, which forces you to take smaller portions of the other foods.

We want our plates to contain to meat, and to whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Limit those holiday desserts and goodies that are high in fat and calories.

Take appropriate portion sizes. Don't go back for seconds.

Stay active and monitor what you are doing. Keep your exercise routine during the holidays.

Staying physically active is important year round. Start a group at work or join a "Maintain No Gain" group. We are sponsoring a free six-week program open to everyone starting the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.

It offers weigh-in sites once a week to help you monitor your weight, fruit and vegetable intake and physical activity. We will provide incentives to keep you motivated.

If you need any help with budgeting or want to join our holiday "Maintain No Gain" group, please contact us at the extension office. We are here to help you.

Sarah Womble is a Victoria County extension agent- Family and Consumer Sciences.

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