Saving Christmas . . . Salvation Army problem gambling counsellor Chris Watkins is taking a long, hard look at Christmas this year. Photo by Dan Hutchinson.
Seventeen Dunedin social agencies have joined forces to try to change Christmas this year and put a stop to the stress and financial burden it places on many people. DAN HUTCHINSON talks to some of those who want to make a difference this year.

'Don't do it'' is the Christmas message echoing from the lips of Dunedin social workers to those planning to spend money they do not have this year.

They are convinced there is a better way to do it and will be putting forward their ideas over the next few months.

The Star will be highlighting the best of these ideas before Christmas.

Salvation Army problem gambling counsellor Chris Watkins is organising the campaign launch with an event in the Octagon on October 18 called the ''Big Value Christmas''.

Mr Watkin said Christmas was meant to be about ''togetherness and family and having the celebration'' but the reality was often heightened stress, addictions and debt.

Dunedin Budget Advisory Service executive officer Shirley Woodrow is one person at the coalface of Christmas anxiety.

''Prior to Christmas, people don't want to come to us to be told `don't spend money you don't have' - so they spend the money and then after Christmas they come.''

She said there were ways to cut costs at Christmas. The best way was to give the gift of time to those who needed it.

''People in my age group have got a lot of stuff.

''We don't want a whole lot more stuff and yet I am working fulltime so I appreciate when somebody can do something for me that I struggle to find time to do myself.''

The same applied to children, Mr Watkins said. Rather than give money to children to buy presents, children could give ''cheque books'', where the cheque was a task like doing the dishes or mowing the lawns. Adults could barter skills in the same way - providing babysitting, house-painting or another specialist skill.

Dunedin woman Beverley Collis, her two adult children and their extended family made a pact several years ago to limit spending to $20 per family. They buy each other food baskets.

''It was just a waste of money - buying something for somebody just for the sake of buying a present and it was a hassle because you had to think what to buy.''

Mr Watkins said the Big Family Christmas was designed to make it easier for people to choose ''a different experience''.

''It can be special without spending loads of money.''

He said even those who could afford it should still look for ways to put people back into the equation.

If you have an idea to add value to Christmas this year, email star@thestar.co.nz.