We won't be spending as much this holiday season
That headline cannot be much of a shock, especially since we curtailed our back-to-school spending and took more staycations this year. In a new Consumer Reports poll, nearly two-thirds of Americans, or 65 percent, say that they will cut back this season on holiday expenses, such as gifts, travel and entertaining. You can take a look at the full report here.
Last year, some 76 percent of Americans said they would cut back. So the numbers this year aren't as large but maybe that other 11 percent already felt like they had cut to the bone. Or maybe more people feel like they have turned the corner in this economy.
The cutbacks will be felt across the board: Americans say they won't spend as much on clothing, electronics, gift cards and jewelry. And they also say that they won't give as much in monetary gifts as in season past. With some 13.5 million consumers still saddled with 2008 holiday debt, according to Consumer Reports, it's probably a good idea not to go further down that road.
And most striking about the poll is who will get cut from the holiday gift list. Most consumers -- 78 percent -- say they will not spend as much on themselves, followed by friends and their families, other family members, co-workers and service providers like the hairstylist, delivery personnel and fitness trainers. But have no fear: Grandparents, grandchildren, kids under 18 and the family pet will all be spared. And really, aren't the holidays for kids anyway?
-- Sherry Robinson
Sharon Kennedy Wynne has sunscreen in her blood. She may have been born in Buffalo but she got here as fast as she could, in time for kindergarten. She grew up in St. Petersburg, graduated from the University of Florida journalism school, and even got married at Sunken Gardens. She's one of the few adults we know who actually loves taking her kids to the beach. She has two sons and with 10 years of parenting under her belt, she's starting to feel a little less out of her league. She comes from a large family and loves to debate, so brace yourself when the hot topics come up.
Amy Hollyfield is a workaholic mother of two young
daughters, blessed to have a work-at-home husband who makes their life possible. She was born in Detroit and moved around a lot as a kid (read: Air Force brat). She has lived in Florida since the month after she
graduated from Northwestern University. She lives for the yelps, hugs and kisses that greet her on nights that she makes it home before bedtime.
Sherry Robinson was born in the Sunshine State but she feels more comfortable inside a mall than outside at the beach -- thank goodness her husband is the outdoorsy type. He takes their two sons on night hikes, beach runs and bug hunts while Sherry does her best to take care of the homestead -- and find out what is new on the store shelves. A graduate of the University of South Florida in 19noneofyourbusiness, Sherry has been at the Times for nearly 20 years. And with nearly 10 years of parenting experience, Sherry is eager to offer up some great dish on raising kids and keeping your sanity.
Guest blogger Tracey Henry, a.k.a. Suburban Diva, is a frantic, slightly frazzled mother of four. She is a freelance humor writer and author which is the only thing that parenting four children ages 12-1 trains you for, except perhaps court jester and professional bull rider. She and her husband have lived all over the country, but settled in Florida eight years ago because the beachcombing is so much better here than on the banks of the Mississippi. Their family time includes a lot of sport -- both watching and playing -- and fun in the sun and surf. Catch her in Whoa, Momma! and on her site, 
Sherri Day and her husband welcomed their daughter into the world in early 2008. So far, she describes parenthood as exciting, exhausting and exhilarating. A self-described Southern belle with small-town values and big-city idealism, Sherri was born in rural Georgia. She received her bachelor's degree in journalism from Clark Atlanta University and her master's of journalism from the University of California at Berkeley. She is the Brandon bureau chief for the Times. Sherri moved to Tampa from Brooklyn four years ago.
Perhaps, this recession (which is actually a depression) will bring the real meaning of Christmas back from the hands of the marketeers and greedy corporations.
Posted by: Hee Hee Humbug! | November 05, 2009 at 01:10 AM
Did you know that next week is a quality consignment sale where almost 90 families clean out their unused childrens' clothes, toys and furniture and sells it to the public? If is the ONLY way to shop for your child's special occasions and clothes.
I've been doing this for years and have saved ALOT of money. They usually have a great selection, but you've got to go early. thurs the 11th is the presale and if you send your name and email to the organizer you can get in early. fancypantssale@gmail.com. The discount day is sat the 13, most items are half off. Don't skip the holiday shopping, just be smart about it
Posted by: shop consignment EVENTS like Fancy Pants | November 04, 2009 at 09:42 PM
Here are other ideas:
Give the kids each a set amount of money. Make the amount big enough that, if they pool their money, they can buy a Christmas present for each person on the list.
My parents gave each of us $2.00. We five kids pooled the money and, then, decided what we'd buy for each person on the list.
One Christmas, our dad needed underwear. So, we bought a package of plain underwear, opened the package, and embroidered all kinds of things on the underwear.
Teach your kids to do embroidery, crocheting, knitting, hand sewing, and machine sewing. If you don't know, see if you can visit someone in a nursing home who can teach you and the kids how to do it.
Bake cookies.
Learn how to do woodworking.
Buy bars of Ivory soap because they're soft and use a paring knife to carve the bars into animals and other things. Tie a little ribbon around each carving to dress them up.
Posted by: Kimberly | November 03, 2009 at 08:59 PM
Credit cards fueled Christmas in the past and I think most people are just using them less if at all. We only spend cash and it is not all that plentiful.
Posted by: Yougottabekidding | November 02, 2009 at 05:57 PM
** Don't say NO ... Grow A TickleMe Plant! **
I gave a speech to my kids today, explaining how we need to cut back and eat out less,
that we will be taking more staycations etc. Three minutes into my speech my 5 year old said.
Well can we at least grow a TickleMe Plant?
Back to nature- what a wonderful way to conserve energy, get them more excited about nature and yes use less of the green in my wallet and more of the green here on earth! They showed me the TickleMe Plant video on line. I love this plant.
Yes, no parent can turn down the desire of a a kid to want to grow a real plant that MOVES when you tickle it! We found it at http://www.ticklemeplant.com
Posted by: Sue | November 02, 2009 at 11:59 AM
With the exception of my daughter, I will be doing handmade gifts for everyone on my Christmas list. It's the only way I can afford it this year.
Posted by: A.H. | November 02, 2009 at 11:46 AM