Page 4 - A Holiday To Remember 2016

4 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2016
Kwanzaa brings the black community together
Kwanzaa is celebrated
by millions of people
every year. Individu-
als of all ages take part in the Celebrants can start by deco-
festivities, which were estab-
lished in 1966 by Maulana
Karenga, professor and chair-
man of Black Studies at
California State University,
Long Beach, Calif. Karenga,
prompted by the Watts riots
in Los Angeles, sought ways
to bring blacks together as a
community, and Kwanzaa
was born.
Kwanzaa can be a fun
opportunity to gather with
friends and family in the
heart of the holiday season.
Kwanzaa, which cele-
brates the symbolism and
traditions of black culture,
begins on Dec. 26 and lasts
through Jan. 1.
There are many compo-
nents of Kwanzaa celebra-
tions, and decorating for the
A little foresight makes the holiday debt go down
Spending beyond their
means is something
that’s easy for many
holiday shoppers to do. Per-
haps they don’t accurately
budget for the year, or sur-
prise purchases crop up,
pulling resources away from
holiday allowances. That’s
when credit cards can become
so attractive — and poten-
tially draining of limited bank
accounts.
A 2014 survey from Ac-
centure, a global professional
services company, found that
most people make a budget
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holiday remains an important
way to demonstrate spirit.
rating with the traditional
colors of red, green and
black. These can be displayed
in fabrics used in the home,
clothing, linens and other
decor. The Bendera Ya Taifa,
or the traditional Kwanzaa
flag, can be hung and serve as
the holiday’s centerpiece.
Celebrants also will want
to decorate with the seven
symbols of the holiday, or
Nguzo Saba: Umoja (unity),
Kujichagulia (self-determi-
nation), Ujima (collective
work and responsibility),
Ujamaa (cooperative econo-
mics), Nia (purpose), Ku-
umba (creativity), and Imani
(faith). Posters, crafts or
photographs can be used to
symbolize these seven prin-
ciples.
Another component of
for holiday gift buying, but
nearly half exceed their
budgets anyway. Buying with
credit cards makes over-
spending easy. But consum-
ers who want to avoid post-
holiday debt can take a proac- merchandise is free to leave
tive approach and explore
some other financing options.
Layaway
Various retailers have
reinstituted old-time layaway
policies to make it easier for Holiday clubs
shoppers to buy holiday gifts.
With layaway, instead of
paying for an item all at once offer savings clubs that can
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Kwanzaa is a seven-branched Metro Creative Connection
candleholder known as the A seven-branched candleholder, or kinara, features red, black and green candles that represent the
kinara. The kinara represents seven principles of the holiday.
African ancestors and should
be displayed on a table or in
another prominent area of the
home. Light seven candles in
the African colors of green,
black and red to represent the
seven principles.
Articles of African culture,
such as masks or artwork, can
complete Kwanzaa decor.
Cultural artifacts can be tied
into the creative aspect of the
holiday. Celebrants might
want to craft their own masks
or African-inspired artwork
to use throughout the holiday.
Families come together
during Kwanzaa to celebrate
black culture and unity.
Decorating for the holiday is
a great way for blacks to
exhibit pride in their heritage.
Metro Creative
Connection
and leaving with it the same help people save for holiday offer Christmas club ac- cards that will yield cash back
day, shoppers pay a percent- spending over several counts, which reached the or other perks, such as dis-
age of the cost of the item. In months. The “club” is simply height of their popularity in counts at certain retailers.
the meantime, it is held in a special, short-term savings the 1970s, today they are most Also, be sure to pay the bal-
layaway. Once an item has account set up to encourage commonly offered by credit ances off in full when the bills
been paid for in full, the holiday saving. Many such unions. According to the arrive, so as not to rack up
accounts can be opened with Credit Union National Asso- high interest charges through-
the store. Spacing out pay- a nominal deposit. At the end ciation (CUNA), nearly 72 out the year. Use the cash-
ments can help shoppers of the term, the money can be percent of credit unions run back rewards you accumulate
avoid overspending, and withdrawn and used for Christmas clubs, and con- during the year as a holiday
many stores do not charge holiday purchases. Shoppers sumer interest in these clubs spending allowance.
interest fees on layaway likely won’t miss the small is holding steady.
purchases. amount of money being set Credit-card perks With these long-term
aside each paycheck, but are financial planning tips, holi-
surprised to see just how Smarter credit-card usage day shoppers can avoid going
Financial institutions may quickly savings can add up. during the year can be handy into debt — at least during
come the holidays. Choose next year’s holiday season.
While some banks still
Metro Creative Connection
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