Dreaming of a tight Christmas?

[marmar]

Reuters:



Shoppers to cut back holiday gifts: Reuters poll
Wed Sep 17, 2008 1:25pm EDT

By Sarah Coffey

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Nearly six times as many U.S. shoppers say they will cut back on gift-buying this holiday season than those who plan to spend more, according to a Reuters/Zogby poll released on Wednesday.

The poll results were bolstered by a forecast from research firm TNS Retail Forward. In the gloomiest holiday forecast yet, TNS said it expected a mere 1.5 percent growth for holiday fourth-quarter retail sales, the worst in 17 years.

Consumers pressured by high fuel prices and a U.S. housing slump are focusing on paying only for essentials and cutting back discretionary items like extra clothes and gifts.

Growing fears over the health of Wall Street since investment firm Lehman Brothers filed for bankruptcy protection and the U.S. government agreed to rescue insurance giant AIG this week will likely strike at consumer confidence even further.

More than 44 percent of people surveyed by the monthly Reuters/Zogby poll last week said they will spend either a little less or a lot less on gifts this year than in 2007.

Forty-six percent said they would spend about the same and just over 7 percent said they would shell out more.

"This a staggeringly bad number," said pollster John Zogby, referring to the number of people who said they would spend the same amount on gifts this year. He noted that with inflation, even flat sales means retailers won't be making as much. ......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN1641434720080917

[valerief]

1. Gotta spend any money we have on freakin' fuel. nt

[phantom power]

2. I guess we could all focus on quality time with family and friends.

[Auggie]

4. I love that idea

[MAGICBULLET]

6. oh god forbid!!

we have to spend time with people we love without getting something material !!!


:sarcasm:

[tridim]

3. Anyone who is thinking about Christmas today is a complete idiot.

WTF?

[cynatnite]

Your pic cracks me up n/t

[tpsbmam]

5. Dreaming of NO Christmas.

I may be an atheist but I LOVE Christmas -- it's always been my favorite holiday (and it has nothing to do with Christ anyway, no matter what the "Christians" who rant about it think). Didn't do a tree last year and won't this year -- too expensive. And eliminated most presents last year -- this year we're doing none except for simple gifts for 2 little kids (not ours). That's it.

[MUAD_DIB]

7. My family, by way of me, initiated a secret santa styled christmas.

1 person 1 gift.

The kids still get the goods, but I can buy my own things.

[MaryEllen9399]

8. the only person in my family who is getting a big gift this year

is my husband. I'm getting him an xbox.(there is a cheaper model for $199).its a combo birthday/christmas present.

[a la izquierda]

9. My family is getting presents from Mexico.

My husband's present is me, flying home on Christmas day. By that point I won't have seen him for 5 months.
I already have the ticket, thankfully.
My present will be President Obama, god willing.

[MaryEllen9399]

10. thats great nt

[supernova]

11. Looks like I'll be making home made gifts

again this year.

Oh well.

[redwitch]

12. I LOVE homemade gifts!

What are you making?

[supernova]

16. Haven't decide yet

[Beregond2]

13. I always am...oh, you meant...

[Indenturedebtor]

14. Good! Less worthless crap for the town dump n/t

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

15. I already came by a great easy recipe for cheescake brownies to give to some friends. :

I think I'm also going to get my crochet hooks out of moth balls. :)

[Ilsa]

17. Yeah. Lots of homemade gifts this year. I'm going to sew as much as I can. nt