According to a recent survey, 84 percent of American adults say they would prefer a less materialistic holiday. And yet we keep shopping.

Diane Harris, co-author of “It Takes Money, Honey” (Regan Books, $13), says it’s time to stop buying when:

• You’re embarrassed to tell your friends how many presents you bought for your kids.
• You can’t find enough hiding places for all the gifts.
• You’ve bought so much that you can’t remember what you have or where you hid it.
• You’re still paying off credit card purchases months after you gave the gifts.