Are You Planning on Cutting Back on Your Holiday Shopping This Year Because of The Economy?

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Permalink Reply by Love Bug Clothing Co on October 27, 2008 at 5:21pm

I don't get it either, people say they are struggling but the mall is busy. I was home in chicago a few weeks and went to Nordstrom on a Sunday-you couldn't even walk in the shoe department it was that busy! I think some people are cautious, but the people that usually spend money are still going to spend. Sad as it is, i think alot of people keep putting it on their credit cards.

I have ramped up marketing for the holidays, and doing lots of sales at www.lovebugclothing.com. i will be in the xmas catalog on twittermoms with a great discount so hopefully you will give it a look.


Jessica said:

I've been feeling the same way. The malls are still busy, the lines are still long... I'm sure that between gas prices and some other eco issues there are people out there really struggling to get by, but it doesn't seem as widespread as the media claims it is.

Naughty and Nice Lingerie said:

I will continue shopping like a rockstar, as I always do. The economy isn't as bad as they claim to be on the news media. I personal think that the news media is part of the problem with the economy in causing widespread fear! I know that that may be a little naive, as some people have been laid off or lost a job...my husband is one of them. However, when you go to the store or go out to eat, there are still lines and waits everywhere. I have my own lingerie store, so I may be giving more PJ shirts / sleepwear to my girlfriends than usual, but I always go all out for my family gifts. I have already started shopping.

Brenda G-K
http://www.naughtyandnicelingerie.com
http://www.naughtyandnicelingerie.blogspot.com

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Permalink Reply by Katerina on October 27, 2008 at 5:39pm

Don't be nervous! I am not cutting back because of the economy. Chin up, reports are out that consumers spend more money on Halloween this year than last year! Good news!
I believe what you focus on expands.
While Realtors all around us are talking about how bad it is, they are making self fulfilling prophecies come true. We are doing so much business we have to hire more people.
The is abundance and as long as focus on abundance- you will be just fine.

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Permalink Reply by Blair on October 27, 2008 at 8:31pm

I'm definitely cutting back, tho I have a feeling it will mostly impact my husband and I. I told him that new slippers would cut it for me this year!

We're looking to do one bigger gift for the kids and one smaller gift, and that's it. And, by bigger, I mean just one gift about 1/2 amount of last year's big one. Big thing for daughter will probably be American Girl outfit (she wants Mia's new skating competition dress), when what she probably expects is an entire wardrobe! LOL! The boys are a little easier being younger and being boys. Nothing seems as expensive, plust they get "double" since they end up sharing everything.

I can't sew to save my life, so it will still be purchase for us.

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Permalink Reply by Christina on October 27, 2008 at 9:16pm

We scaled back last year, as my husband lost his job 9 days before Christmas. Why do they do that? Anyway, we only exchanged gifts within our little family, and our daughter exchanged a gift with her cousin (my nephew). That took a lot of pressure off.

This year, we'll probably do the same, but now we have two nephews/cousins. We are in a much better position financially - hubby got a better paying job and the jewelry business is booming. We are planning on one big purchase - a new flat screen, LCD tv, as our ginormous big screen is now 10 years old and has a horrible picture quality. We most spend for Bella and our mothers. Everyone else in our families either don't get together at all or have larger families and don't do gift exchanges with anyone else.

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Permalink Reply by Lisa Survillas on October 27, 2008 at 9:38pm

I am excited that I have the opportunity to teach my kids a great lesson about economics. I discussed with them how sometimes we have choices to make. And the choice before them was pumkins to carve even though we won't be home or seeing high school musical 3 when we have the opportunity here soon. they grumbled a moment and then when I explained that we could not do both and buy christmas presents too...they were thrilled to give up the pumpkins!! YAY!!! I feel like they actually are learning a little more about life!

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Permalink Reply by Katerina on October 28, 2008 at 12:36am

Don't be nervous! I am not cutting back because of the economy. Chin up, reports are out that consumers spend more money on Halloween this year than last year! Good news!
I believe what you focus on expands.
While Realtors all around us are talking about how bad it is, they are making self fulfilling prophecies come true. We are doing so much business we have to hire more people.
The is abundance and as long as focus on abundance- you will be just fine.

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Permalink Reply by serendipity joy on October 28, 2008 at 4:56am

I have to say there will definately be cut backs this year. My husband was out of work for 6 months this year with back surgery. We had disability insurance which paid him a portion of his wages but we still fell behind a little. God saw us through but we are still feeling the strain. So we are leaving a lot of the gifts up to grandparents and Santa, lol. I am blessed to have wonderful inlaws who always go way over board anyway so I don't worry that my children will go without.

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Permalink Reply by Kipling on October 28, 2008 at 6:26am

Thanks Katerina! :) I'm so glad to hear this!

Katerina said:

Don't be nervous! I am not cutting back because of the economy. Chin up, reports are out that consumers spend more money on Halloween this year than last year! Good news!
I believe what you focus on expands.
While Realtors all around us are talking about how bad it is, they are making self fulfilling prophecies come true. We are doing so much business we have to hire more people.
The is abundance and as long as focus on abundance- you will be just fine.

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Permalink Reply by Kipling on October 28, 2008 at 6:41am

Thanks for the great tip Gift Therapist!
The Gift Therapist said:

The economy will definitely effect our holiday spending this year. Even the Gift Therapist is not immune :) One great tip that I love to share is to buy group gifts rather than individual gifts. Choose a gift theme and apply that to an entire family, co-workers gift, or ladies group for everyone to enjoy. Rather than nickle and dime yourself on 10 little gifts, give one substantial gift that everyone can enjoy and save a lot of money to boot! Happy Giving!
Jennifer
www.theGiftTherapist.com
www.theGiftTherapist.blogspot.com

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Permalink Reply by TheBag Lady on October 28, 2008 at 7:15am

I definitely would like to cut back this Christmas. I say that every year but never seem to do it! I think homade bake goods will be the route I go if I havetime.. I really am looking for a way to tactfully cut down or out the gifts for nieces and nephews. It has really gotten out of hand especially on my husband's side of the family.

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Permalink Reply by ChefMommy on October 28, 2008 at 8:30am

We are cutting WAY back. We use an HSA account with a high deductible for medical expenses and we do not have an HMO or PPO insurance. This means that we have had to pay for our medical expenses! We just finished paying for our son's birth in May, then had to pay for immunizations, regular doctor visits, and the well child exams. This month has been especially hard, I had a miscarriage (which required 2 ultrasounds), I had a D&C in the hospital, our baby got sick and we had to go to the emergency room because no one in our doctor group could/would see our son and he was vomiting with a high fever couldn't control. Even though we pay for all of this out of pocket with pre-tax dollars, it still comes out of my husband's paycheck. We also had to pay for dental exams for my oldest son and my husband and a root canal for my husband. This means less money was saved over the year for gifts. Since we quit using credit cards last year, we won't be buying things on credit and paying for the interest charges but that also means fewer bought gifts. I plan on making gift bags (actually my mom and older son are making the bags) filled with homemade cookies, brownies, fudge, and hot chocolate or chai tea mixes.

We just feel the economy is in such turmoil that it is wiser to live like we are in a depression rather than wait for the government to tell us we are in a depreression. They were so forthcoming with the recession! Everyone knew there were economic problems except the president and his minions. I feel with the $700 Billion handout that we can't afford to give anymore.

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Permalink Reply by overallbeauty ~ Kim Snyder on October 28, 2008 at 11:33am

Honestly I hope no one cuts back this year. But times are a changing as they say. I also run a beauty site so I am working out deals to find ways to help whomever orders money and time. Myself? I usually give my husband something and got two boys over 20 so I pretty much know all ready what they want. lol games as always.

You make homemade Christmas cards? How awesome of a idea! Our family and friends expect a humor filled Christmas card from us but I could really use some tips on creating my own for customers. I send them out every year because a handwritten card means a lot.
Where do you get your ideas from?

~ Kim
http://overallbeauty.com

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