Retailers brace for blue holiday season as sales decline

[defendandprotect]

Actually, wasn't this "holiday" suffering long before this, anyway--



End of the "impulse" buy --

"desperate" --

Consumers have completely put the brakes on their spending --

Worst in 30 years

Lay-away plans are back --

Sorry - no link it's a Yhoo news video --

[jwirr]

1. I have gotten the ususal catalogs this year and am amazed at the

junk they are trying to sell. Not practical - gaudy - too expensive - idiotic. Even if we were not all broke they would not be able to sell that stuff.

[glowing]

2. What did they expect? Everyone is tapped out, and jobs are scarce.

Also, I've heard a lot of people discuss what they need vs. what they want.. and are those wants good for the environment and for consumerism. Many people are adjusting their values. How many "crappy" things do you need cluttering your home. People are looking inside and adjusting their values. Its taken me a while to work on my husband and to explain that time together was more valuable than a new, shiney object that keeps us apart at jobs longer. We've gone from buying our 4 yr old toys to giving him a dollar for doing what he's told to do.. When he saves up enough money, he gets to take his wallet and pick out a toy that he wants. He's much more careful with his selection and appreciates at 4 the value of being a good, kind, and descent boy.

[NRaleighLiberal]

3. my wife and I discovered years ago that "stuff" doesn't make you happy -

time with loved ones, working on hobbies, good music or books, nature - family - pets - much more meaningful. So we've been no good for the economy for a long time! We just had a chat today that Christmas gifts will be small and few because we simply don't need things. We feel lucky we've discovered that early on - we are 52, I got laid off this year, but not having the need to purchase eases the fear a bit.