I saw this story this morning about how economists are predicting the worst season of holiday sales since that last big recession we had in the early ’90s. I suppose this is good news if you still plan to hit the stores come Christmas time, because I’m betting there will be some crazy good sales. Of course, that doesn’t forgive the fact that gas, food and everything else is so horribly expensive.
Apparently Crate and Barrel reads the WSJ, because sure enough I had an e-mail this afternoon from the company pushing corporate Christmas gifts. I know everyone says the Christmas sales begin earlier and earlier every year, but I have NEVER been hit over the head with a Christmas sale in September. I realize they’re trying to reach corporate customers, and those people make decisions about whether they’re buying their clients/staff holiday gifts sooner than you and I start buying, but still. It just shows you how much the stores are already freaking out.
I would actually welcome a slowdown in Christmas giving. I can do without just about everything I usually get for Christmas.
I agree with Courtney – in fact our family has decided that this year we’ll draw names for all the adults and then buy gifts for each kid. We’ve made the cost pretty median so that everyone can afford 1 nice gift and it means that we’re not being stretched super thin, plus we’re not getting loads of dollar store stuff from the kids. (And hopefully they’ll get a lesson in finance having a specific budget for their purposes. I expect it will be a quiet christmas on all fronts!
I have been saving all year for Christmas (I take $20 out of each check to put in savings) but I will likely be scaling back a little too.
I received the same email today. I am considering boycoting buying gifts this year and doing all handmade items instead.
wonder what black friday will look like?
I’m with Vanessa- giving gifts that mean something. I’m not that creative, but I do my best.
Last year we drew names and just bought a present for one person. It was awesome. Although, I’d be just as happy doing nothing.
A few years back, I started making charitable donations in the names of some of my loved ones rather than buying them something they didn’t really want or need anyway. It’s better for all involved, not to mention the environment. It’s not very good for the economy, though, but then I’m not really an economic force to begin with.
I just keep telling people not to buy me anything. If they must spend money on me, give it to someone trying to cure cancer or feed the homeless. I just don’t need any more sweaters.
My mom told me she already found her first Christmas gift.
And every year, I think it’s going to be the year that I hold back, but then I keep finding all these great things that I would never buy for myself, but buy for other people. It’s a problem.