Holidays May Not Be So Happy

pennypinch · #1 10-07-2008, 02:04 AM

The economic outlook for the United States is pretty bleak to say the very least. Everyone is being crunched in the credit crunch and we are all feeling the pain. Experts say the holiday season this year may not be as happy as those in the past.

Experts are saying that most people will not be able to spend what they normally do during the holidays for presents and get togethers. Also, stores may not be able to fill up their shelves with all of the goodies for consumers to purchase as they normally do during the holiday season.

They are also saying that those who do still have the normal amount of spending money as they have in the past, they may not be willing to spend as much anyhow. They may rather try to save some of it back just in case the economy would happen to worsen.

Many retailers are thinking ahead and trying to prepare for a slower holiday season than in the past. Many retailers have not even gotten a good start on Halloween yet but are already thinking aheads to Christmas. Many of them will be offering more discounts in order to draw in customers and they hope to boost sales.

moneysense · #2 10-07-2008, 02:56 AM

I am very glad to say that most of my holiday shopping is done already. I always plan ahead and this year more than ever.

I will be doing a good bit of baking and candy making and the normal amount of decorating.

I think that getting back to basics is going to be good for us all doing the Holidays as they have become entirely too commercialized.

Making gifts is another part of my giving at Christmas.
I make scented candles, bath crystals of different colors and scents and a few wood crafts. Those, I also have pretty much done.

Yep, getting back to basics and getting the kids in on making Christmas gifts can be just the thing for quality family time.

carol b · #3 10-07-2008, 10:25 PM

The holidays haven't been happy for several years. Why does it always take these people so long to realize what is going on out here in the real world?
Oh, I forgot they don't live out here they live sheltered and privileged lives?

pennypinch · #4 10-08-2008, 01:59 AM

You got that right Carol B. They don't ever have to worry about how to afford gas for their cars to get to work. They always know that they will have a hot meal. They have nice homes and won't need to worry about being cold. They have plenty of money to shop for Christmas. No worries!

dollardaze · #5 10-08-2008, 06:59 PM

I agree that many are going to be tightening their belts during the Holidays. This doesn't mean that we can't have a great Christmas though. We just need to use our imaginations to make Christmas a day to remember. We don't have to be as materialistic as we are......our country has gone too far (at least in my opinion) in judging worth as to what we own.

Perhaps our fuel problems will lessen with the lower gasoline prices and hopefully other fossil fuels will follow this trend. This would help to keep some of that cash in our pockets to be used for a great Holiday Season.
If this doesn't happen, we just need to do what we can to make for a happy Holiday Season by getting creative - as our forefathers did.

Empty Wallet · #6 10-16-2008, 10:58 AM

i worked retail for years, and the worst thing they did to the holidays for me is take away layaway plans. when they did this, they took away middle class christmas shopping. and this was 7 years ago, things were getting tight back then. but atleast for families like mine, you could shop and save what you wanted for christmas, by using layaway, and it made the holidays a lot easier to deal with. now, there are nooooooooo stores that offer layaway, so if your poor, you do not shop, and if your higher class, you pay cash and get whatever you want, if your middle class, you have just been down graded to poor class.

dimetime · #7 10-17-2008, 06:52 AM

Even though there may not be as many good types of candy to hand out to trick or treaters, or as big of a feast on Thanksgiving, or even as many presents under the tree come Christmas, because of the economy. We can all agree that as long as we are with those we love the most, the holidays are going to be great. This year for Christmas most will be getting some home made gifts from me. I believe that items which are made with love are the best of all! Trick or treaters will be getting the best candy that I can purchase at this time, and Thanksgiving.... well heck who needs a huge feast, I like most just over eat and regret it later, LOL.

As long as the kids are happy and the adults are all together, to me that is what is most important. Let the stores due their best to lure in customers, I am one that they wont be getting hold of. I have better things to be doing other than making rich people more rich.