MSNBC: Compared to last year, are you spending more or less this holiday

[sabra]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3080261/#survey

Compared to last year, are you spending more or less this holiday season?

* 1476 responses


More 15%
Less 85%

[Jamison]

1. No more, and certainly no less here.

It's impossible to spend less than $0.:rofl:

I am the kind of person retailers HATE.

[Blue_In_AK]

2. I'm probably spending about the same...

...but I'm definitely going for practical this year, i.e., an eye exam and six months of contacts for my 20-year-old who's in college and has a low-paying job; cash for my older daughter who's getting married New Year's Eve. With necessities costing so much these days, "needs" seem to win out over "wants."

[Straight Shooter]

3. Less. Way less.

And I'm really thrifty about Christmas to begin with. Last year I spent maybe $250. This year I'm cutting it down to $25, which is the cost of downloading very nice Christmas music and burning it to a CD, which I will make a copy of and distribute to my friends and neighbors.

I don't want any gifts, either. Too much stuff in my house as it is.

[tridim]

4. That's not what the "experts" are saying

They say sales will be up 6%. Why do I think these "experts" are on retailer payrolls? Xmas shopping propaganda is so over the top and obvious that it actually has a negative effect on my buying habits.

[nadinbrzezinski]

9. Easy,. the stats are alredy wrritten up

yes go ahead, call me cynical

[Jackpine Radical]

5. Jackpine's Christmas Sales Prediction:

The SS Economy

[capi888]

6. Most of the People I have talked to say.....

they are cutting WAY back....and if they are giving....Money only..and a nice card. Or they are saying...just buy for the children.
I told my children....NO GIFTS PLEASE....I have enough things. I plan on making it a memory only Christmas...like, favorite recipe's from their Gramma, who is now deceased. Old Family pictures, showing their heritage...to pass on to my GrandChildren...the things that are important for the future....much better then buying THINGS, they prolly don't like from Granny anyway....Hahaha

[Historic NY]

7. now 86% less to 14% more..........

wait until the first months heating bill hits in a week or so in the northeast.

[Rainscents]

8. I know what you mean, people are going to get sticker shock

when they see thir first heating bill...soon.

[seabeyond]

10. i dont know how much i am going to spend, and it is no ones

business. i have watched the last couple years the politicizing christmas. this year, i say enough. both dems and repugs can stay out of my christmas. it is my celebration to do my way without interference if i am helping the regime, or promoting christian coalition or if my family has materialized the celebration

happy christmas, merry holidays....... enough is enough

enjoy the love and celebration, regardless of faith or lack of, i will be embracing all in the spirit, as i do every day of the year

[bigwillq]

11. Less

Compared to last year, are you spending more or less this holiday season? * 2182 responses


More
15%
Less
85%

[nadinbrzezinski]

12. Funny we are done shopping

we bought some picture frames, will send them to my sister in law and my mother in law... that is the extent of our shoping, our two other friends I have a gift for one, and the other might go get him a good book, paperback though

[Horse with no Name]

13. I'm not spending any tangible cash

I have listed a ton of stuff on Ebay the past couple of months...books, clothes, knick knacks...other things we didn't need.
The things that didn't sell were donated to the Salvation Army.
House is cleaned out and gave me quite a tidy little sum of cash as well as a good feeling of the stuff we donated.
I spent on gifts ONLY what I got from selling stuff we already had.
I bought gifts on Ebay, went through thrift shops, etc.
Got some really cool, unique gifts for the people on my list.
Now, the remained of the stuff listed is going to pay for my trip home.
It's worked out really well for me.;)

[MaggieSwanson]

14. WAY less for me.

Not that I had a lot last year; my average gift to family members cost around $35. This year, we are all hurting so badly that we've agreed to sepnd around $10 to $15 dollars apiece.

And most of us work two jobs.

[Bellamia]

15. More........

only because gas prices are up, have to drive to the shops, and prices are higher for most little "trinkets".

[bammertheblue]

16. A lot less...

just because I'm living on my own for the first time, half a continent away from my family, friends, and anyone else I'd be buying presents for. Buying a present would involve not only the purchase of the gift, but spending the money to ship it, and as a grad student, I'm living on Hamburger Helper (minus the hamburger part) anyway.
And if it helps thwart consumerism, it's great as far as I am concerned.