MANY SEE THE HOLIDAYS AS A TIME FOR CHARITY

For most Americans the holiday season is a time for giving -- and not just presents to loved ones. Nearly 80-percent of the respondents in an American Red Cross poll say they consider helping someone an important holiday tradition, and just under 60-percent note they'll be making a charitable donation at some point before the year is over. Among those planning to give, 57-percent will be donating at least 50 dollars while 31-percent note they'll give away more than 100 dollars. Nearly 55-percent say giving helps them "get into the holiday spirit" when they support charities. While 86-percent admit their personal finances are the same or worse than they were this time last year, 72-percent plan to give as much or more to charity this year than they did in 2009. Only 31-percent note they won't be making any charitable donations this holiday season. Just over half of these people say they just can't afford it this year.