The holidays are often an exciting time of year.  However, the holidays in 2020 came with lots of stress.  Holiday spending, Covid-19 quarantines, and Covid-19 mental, physical and financial burdens weighed on consumers that were usually excited for the winter celebrations.  

 To assist individuals in understanding and responding to stress resulting from holiday expenses and Covid-19 related issues, the Quicksand Area (Breathitt, Lee, Wolfe, Knott, Letcher, Leslie, and Perry counties) Family and Consumer Science Agents hosted a Holiday Roadshow To-Go Program.   

 Emphasis was placed on understanding how implementing holiday budgeting and other cost-saving strategies including preparing gifts, decorations, and foods can help individuals to reduce not only financial stress, but also mental and physical stress.  The program included financial saving and spending tips, recipes, and easy crafts to do as a family.   

 Participants completed an online, follow up evaluation once they had reviewed the roadshow information and completed a few of the enclosed program activities.  The data supplied by participants showed one thousand one hundred eighty crafts were made, three hundred and three recipes were tried, ninety six percent of participants indicated they had had made at least one positive financial decision, while ninety one percent of participants implemented one money saving strategy.  A total of four thousand seven hundred dollars was saved by implementing practices from the Holiday Roadshow To-Go Program.  Participants also contributed the following statements: “The annual holiday showcase provides me with new healthy recipes that are tasty and cost efficient;”  “Each year I come away with new craft ideas that I can make and sale to supplement my income;”  “My kids looked forward to completing the craft items supplies from the program.”

 The 2020 holiday season brought with it much stress for families.  The Holiday Roadshow To-Go Program was a way to help reduce financial, mental, and physical stress/burdens for clients all across the Quicksand Area.