Looks like the December Holiday Season is gonna suck this year...

[rateyes]

at least for retailers.

[MiniMe]

1. Not just for retailers, for everybody

[cali]

5. no, not for everybody.

for a lot of people, it will. But the holiday spirits don't have to be controlled by consumeritus.

[slackmaster]

No pity

I've never gotten into the whole crass commercialism thing.

[snappyturtle]

2. It sucked for them last year so I would suppose retailers have been

more cautious in buying for the holiday season this year.

[blisteringcold]

3. Good

Maybe people will come to realize that Christmas isn't about going out and blowing your paychecks or racking up debt on your credit cards.

[OwnedByFerrets]

4. Quite honestly, its about time Amerika woke up and stopped

throwing more and more on credit cards. Sometimes the truth hurts. We all like to spend like we are Rockefellers but in actuality have purses like Ralph Kramden.

[rateyes]

6. I'm with you. nt

[NNN0LHI]

7. Used to see the packed restaurants around here and wondered where do they get the money to eat out?

Then I noticed everyone was paying with credit cards and then it hit me.

Don

[marions ghost]

8. then how will we

do our patriotic duty? How will we fulfill our contract with corporate America? How will we assure ourselves that we have everything we need, in a culture that works to create a sense of lack? How will we define ourselves if we are not defined by what we own?

We consumers will not able to do our job to save the economy before Xmas--which is to swarm to shopping centers and buy as much crap as we can. We rely on Xmas gifts to remind us of our value and our financial security. Turning dollars in the bank into stuff is momentarily satisfying in a material culture such as ours. It's reassuring that we have money to do that.

We underestimate the psychological stress this downturn will place on the American consumer. Everyone needs a purpose.

[lonestarnot]

9. This is going to be the biggest Wo on Twistmas we've seen yet.

[catgirl]

10. Craft stores may do well

Homemade gifts will be popular this year.

[bdamomma]

24. we can be very creative when we want to be.

[fla nocount]

11. So? It's not my birthday. n/t

[rurallib]

12. but it is the solstice.

[fla nocount]

28. Yes, but we don't buy those gifts, we get them. Peace n/t

[Catherine Vincent]

29. ...

[Javaman]

13. 3 months ago, my wife and I dropped the bomb on the family that we're not going to give gifts

this year.

after several gasps, we made our decision based on several things. Yes, the economy, but mostly, because we are tired of the rampant consumerism and how the whole concept of the holiday season has, to us, lost all of it's original meaning.

we are not religious by any means. Frankly, I'm an atheist.

To me, the holidays have always been about family and being thankful for having a happy and healthy one.

The exchange of gifts, although based in altruistic traditions, to me, has gotten so bizarrely out of hand, that any concept of altruism has been completely lost.

So we did have some qualifiers. If people still wished to give gifts, they can, just that we won't and if you choose to give us a gift, which we don't want, have it be something that you made rather than bought.

no more holiday insanity, no more need for useless gifts, no more stress, just peace and family.

[cali]

18. I love exchanging gifts. Last year I spent approximately 100 bucks

for gifts for 15 people. I bought used books and other funky used items. I cooked things- made a bean soup mix and packed it attractively, made liqueurs out of herbs and fruit and vodka. the only new gift I've purchased in years and years is a ski jacket for my son. You can have the pleasure of exchanging gifts and services without going into debt.

[Javaman]

19. That's your choice. :) nt

[MadinMo]

20. I LOVE homemade gifts.

We give a lot of them too --- when we can come up with an idea.

This year I think we will give honey from our bees, and maybe some beeswax Christmas ornments. Also cookies.

Our kids (2) will get the majority of the purchased gifts. And we will set a cost limit.

[vanderBeth]

14. The best gifts are the ones that come from the heart.

You guys know how to put peanut butter and seeds on a pine cone, right?

That's my favorite gift.

[crickets]

21. Toonces, look out!

I love that! It makes me laugh every time I see it. :thumbsup:

[Pakhet]

15. we don't have money for food

christmas presents are the least of my worries

[Oregone]

16. I work for an e-retailer....record day yesterday.

We sell niche, unnecessary widgets. You may be surprised at the stupidity of some people. Thus far, our sales have not been shaken by any recession.

[racaulk]

17. It sucks for me every year.

Since I work near one of the bigger shopping malls in Atlanta, my afternoon commute becomes a nightmare. Impatient people honking their horns and blocking intersections, all in a hurry to go buy something they can't afford and that someone else doesn't really need. If you go shopping anywhere after Thanksgiving, even at the grocery store, people are just in a hurry and stressed out all the time. The rampant consumerism of the season is insane, it gets worse every year, and it is not in the spirit of what the holidays should be about - peace, love, reflection, and family.

Fuck all that noise, I say. If I could stay inside my house and hide away from the world during the entire month of December, I would.

Call me a Scrooge if you want. :P

[hatrack]

22. On top of everything else, Thanksgiving is late this year - 11/27

That's a seriously squashed retail window, even w/o considering the economic big picture.

[noonwitch]

23. If you do have extra money, think about Toys for Tots

Yes, it's run by the US Marine Corps, but they get good toys for the kids, not crap from the toy aisle at Walgreens. They get dolls and such, but they also get footballs (and other sports equipment), board games, and whatever the hot toy of the year is. They don't discriminate, either, poor kids from anywhere can get presents.

[Virginia Dare]

25. Wal-Mart will probably still do alright..

it's the mid-level and upper-end and specialty retailers that will suck the big one. I guess basically everybody else who isn't Wal-Mart or doing business like they do.

[ProgressiveFool]

26. Bah humbug! /nt

[NickB79]

27. We're making gifts for our friends and family this year

My girlfriend and I are fairly artsy and also enjoy cooking.

Lots of quilts, blankets, homemade baby clothes, cookies and pies will be given out, among other things.