Like a Grinch!

Christmas is only for the kids this year. Mom & Dad are the only adults who will receive gifts.

Our budget belt is very tight, and we’re only paying for necessities, you know, food, clothes, paying the rent, those little things.

Spending less, reduced travel.

Jack, Shopping plans? I know what I want before I leave the house and don’t stray far fom my list. Giving is a year round event and in a year as bad as this… I carefully scrutinize every trip I make from my home. As if it weren’t bad enough… I give to the local charities that call me at home, the CFC at work, the church gets its piece of the pie, along with the barber, the car wash team, and the guy that brings my groceries to the car. If anything my plans are downsized from years past, now I am the point I am ready to out-source the Holidays!

We are taking care of our immediate family. We understand, there may be some, unable to give, and out of respect to all, we will make a donation to an animal shelter, in our freiends’ name.

Our family is putting more emphasis on being together than on
exchanging gifts.
Amid all these diasters that have happened to our country, maybe,
Jack, some of us will realize the true meaning of Christmas
which is not glitter and gift giving. Am planning on putting
more donations into the buckets and charities begging for
help to help so many in need. Am sure many Americans will
be doing the same.

look at it like this; gas prices have come down; so if you budgeted for the high gas prices then take that money for the x-mas gifts unless you in debt from buying 4/gln gas; then pay off debt! get ahead of your government; stop spending!

I will shop sparingly and look for deals, my dollar limit is lowered.
But when people are killed by voracious shoppers I think it gives a good indication how desperate people are for a good deal.
BTW, the retailers should STOP these insane Black Friday 4AM deals…..we see people get violent and very non-Christmasy when forced to shop like animals.

Molly B - Tama, IA

Most of my recipients are adult. As I hate to shop (have for years)
I will be giving them cash, which they can put to good use or
FUN.

It means shopping cheap and have strict limits.

None, i`ve been poor for a long time. Just sounds like i`ve got some company now.

I feel like have betrayed the grandkids this year,because most of the money is going for the necessities.

The economic crunch only affected how much I plan to spend. The fear of death has affected where I spend. No risk of being trampled or shot when shopping online!

We are putting the money towards the travel costs of visiting each other rather than buying presents. None of us want to run up the credit card while we are facing potential layoffs.

This is the first year I will not be going back east to see my parents and family for the holidays. Times are bad, Jack, but gotta keep going, right?

I gave my daughter money this year for Christmas, so it will help her buy Christmas for her children. She and her husband are working two jobs each this month so the kids will have a decent Christmas . Since I already gave her the present, we then went shopping together for the grandkids and we had a great time, which is the greatest present for me.

I’m planning on making fudge and cookies. The only ones getting a bought gift are the grandkids.

Jack, I guess I may actually have to eat the fruitcakes I get this year instead of passing them on as gifts “I purchased” with love.

Jack, in my home Christmas has never been about buying gifts.

Like millions of other Americans, my Christmas shopping was cut short by “I’m sorry, but your card has been declined.”

I am on a fixed income and my wife is still working. We are able to spend as much as we spent last Christmas or even more. But when the economy news keeps getting worse with no light at the other end of the tunnel makes a person very conservative when spending money on Christmas. I guess what keeps us from going overboard is fear. Fear of what is lying ahead. But we will have a happy Christmas because it is not the gifts that make a happy Christmas but family getting together that makes a happy Christmas.

How has the economic crisis affected your Christmas shopping plans?

Since I’ve been without work for 3 years now, and no one is hiring those over 40 - let alone anyone else, we are now only able to do for the grandchildren and no one in our family is able to get them what they hope Santa will bring. Their father too was unemployeed for months and our kids almost lost their home.. We gave them what little savings we had left..

So there will be no tree, no gifts for the adults, no Christmas cards, etc..

We are all hanging on by our teeth.. And things will get worse before they get better.. That is the reality..

I hope that by next Christmas things will be better for us all.

Jenna
Roseville CA

We’ve been scaling down for some time now. As my husband nears retirement, we have gradually began replacing expensive gifts with home made items, and food. The budget is closely adhered to. I think I like this much more than fighting the shopping crowds anyway, and our bank account remains intact.

Far less money for shopping. My pension plan has been reduced by 51% and I had to go back to work last March. My wife lost her sales position with a builder that liquidated their business after twenty-five years of success. However, any one that places the blame on one party is not well informed…politicians performed micro-surgery on our economy and both parties brought their own surgical tools to the operating table.

Like a Grinch!
Ralph, Corpus Christi, Texas

This Christmas will be a little on the bleak side when compared to the last several years. Money is getting tight.

It hasn’t a bit. I have no children and my wife’s been grumpy this year…she’s getting coal.

I refuse to shop on the weekend of “black Friday” and this year, I think I will just refuse to shop. I might spurge for a couple pair of socks to stuff what little money I have in them and if the price of stamps don’t go up, I might buy a few cards to send to family and friends.

Fortunately , my shopping is already complete. I start the day after Christmas and continue to pick up gifts a little at a time throughout the year. This method does not put big financial stress on the budget right at holiday time. Besides that, I just couldn’t go out there from Black Friday on with all those crazy poeple pushing and being so rude. I quietly sit at home and wrap my gifts and watch you and Wolf!

Shopping? Until my job is brought back “on-shore”, there’ll be no shopping.

I’m a Buddhist so I only give thanks for the men that gave us something rich to contemplate, the New Testament. I’ll be giving love this year instead of presents so I won’t be stimulating the economy much. To All, a most Pleasant Christmas and Holiday Season. Eat heartily, next year we starve.

My checking account was overdrawn, so I gave the bank three $20.00 presents.
Two of my credit cards were slightly over the limit, so I gave the credit card company two $30.00 presents.
Then I got to give my landlord, the electric cooperative, and the cable company some returned check presents of about $20.00 apiece.
Now I here the government is going to take all of our tax money to bail out banks and credit card companies among others. Huh?

Not at all, now that I have found that rich woman to marry. Thanks, anyway.

I have had to take you and Wolfe off my Christmas list. Sorry guys, maybe next year.

Definitely, I found out that I will be laid off at the end of the year. I will have to save every extra penny I have, so the family will have to understand that there won’t be much gifts.

Simple Jack. This year I will pass by the Christmas display isle at Walgreens and cut right over to the Valentine’s day set-up.

Not much really. We do not get caught up in the spending and shopping frenzies which have absolutely nothing to do with Christmas.

Jack
What Christmas shopping ? Now that we can finally afford gas to go shopping there is no money left for gifts, we have to catch up on the past due bills. I guess everyone gets coal and a bar of ivory soap in their stockings this year.

It hasn’t at all, and judging by the line I stood in at Target the other day, I would say it hasn’t slowed down a lot of folks. I gave myself an early Christmas present by deciding to shut off the TV and throw away the paper. Getting a break from the doom and gloom media has been the best thing I could have done, and may be the best thing we all could do for the economy.

Christmas? Baaaaaa Humbug!

It means we will not be spending the holidays with our grandchildren, I will miss my grandsons 1st birthday and if it isn’t on sale, it won’t be bought> Happy Holidays everyone!

this has effected millons and now we get the truth that this recession has been here since 2007 ??? the lies keep coming out from this adminstration…. why don’t they have the diginity to leave and allow the new adminstration to get any early start on cleaning up this mess. And not allowing anymore messes to happen ????

Luckily for me, I did a lot of my Christmas shopping (such as it is) earlier in the year. I don’t have much family, so my friends are my target audience, and most of them like books and music. Thank goodness for online buying and Wish Lists! What really has been affected is how much I can give to charity. Since I’m so close to needing it myself, now, I may have to curtail money outgo and instead do service for my favorite charities. I guess I can eat at the homeless shelter and serve, before I sleep there that night…

As I have a pretty big family, children(adults), grand-children and great grand-children, a few years ago we started drawing names and set a $$$ limit on presents. As I am retired and on pension, I bake for friends and family. A little something for everyone and a full box of home baking for the one that I drew. Every one loves that especially those that don’t bake.

I’m afraid to spend any money this year. I don’t know what the next year or two will bring. On the bright side, my husband and I just gave each other a new roof for Christmas thanks to hail damage from summer storms and our insurance company.

I get better deals!

Well Jack, I no longer have a Christmas tree. Too expensive. I bring the kids into the computer room and we start the computer up for 5 minutes a day and look at the Christmas tree screen saver instead. I bought each child one present this year and each are edible items of food so we can have Christmas dinner. We took the dog to the pound because we couldn’t afford to feed him. We no longer have any mice in the house though because the cupboard is so bare they all died of starvation. I guess there is always a bright side to everything. Merry Christmas Jack.

I’m a woodcarver and made all my presents. People really like it better. I also get the wood free from a shutter company–I go “dumpster diving” for wood!!!

What shopping plans?

I am looking for a new car! And why not when prices are so low and going lower! Buy low, sell high!

Ask the poor soul who was trampled in front of the Wal-Mart. People have become desperate to get a bargain, It reminds me of the behavior you see when food is dropped off at a refugee camp. Come on people - get a grip! I think I’ll do my shopping online this year and find a bargain in safety of my home.

Fort Gratiot MI

Two years ago we moved our gift-giving holiday to the end of February. Everything costs a fraction of its pre-Christmas price, and no one is all stressed out by the holiday pressures. This liberates December as a month to do things more leisurely, observe church events, go visiting, do some volunteer work, and other low- or no-cost activities. Now more than ever, our new little tradition seems like a pretty good idea.

Not at all. I’ve done my shopping. I try to get it all done before the madness starts and the decorations go up – which means I started in July.

Jack: I figured that as a taxpayer and being burden with paying for the bailout for all the inept financial institutions and banks—well, I’m going to treat myself and my family first—-and worry about the bailout later…….because I “earned it,”—didn’t steal it.

Since I don’t like being trampled very much, I will wait till after the crowds subside and there are real discounts.

Cold-hearted Ebenezer Scrooge didn’t raise my salary, in fact, I had to take a cut in pay. He told me if wallstreet didn’t give out bonuses this Christmas I don’t get one either. So, I won’t be getting that prize turkey this holiday season, and Tiny Tim will just have to wait for that long overdue operation.
Wallstreet, you guys are “The Grinches Who Stole My Christmas!”

Sincerely poor,
Bob Cratchit

i’m watching my budget all the time and only shopping for the kids..i don’t want to spend all of my money..my bills must be paid,having a roof over my head and providing food on the table..i pray for the homeless and other people who are struggling everyday.. i also give to charity too because i want all god’s children to survive and be happy..i hate seeing people in pain without things or without families; that isn’t right at all..

The meaning of Christmas has gotten too commercial. We all bring something to the table and even though we are all struggling to make ends meet, are thankful we all have our health and can together to celebrate Christmas the way it should be, as a family.

Most of my friends and family are either drawing names to get one gift or cooking and providing food instead of gift giving. These are hard times for everyone!

Jack,

If all the people of this great country spent alittle more this Christmas season we can kick start economy, without the Government’s involement. Because as we can see from their inability to handle their own economic bailout plans. We need the rich people to put their money were we need it and for us poor people to spend what we can to help fix the country’s economic crisis…

C.I., New York

Easy. Instead of a $200 or $300 xmas spending spree at JCPenney’s, Walmart and other stores, it is a $30 Avon shopping spree.

It is the thought that counts, not the amount spent on the gift. With all of the greed and excess that we have seen the last eight years, we have lost the real meaning of the season.

Hi Jack,

I’m giving gift cards this year. They can be used by the recipients whenever they want to redeem it and for whatever they want or need.

Christmas has been cancelled this year. Hopefully next year will be a better year. I sent out sympathy cards to my friends and family a week before Thanksgiving.

The anticipation is all gone. I already know what I’m getting. Another day older and deeper in debt.

Our local paper ran an article about a 72 year-old man in a wheelchair, a veteran, with no family, who needs a new refrigerator. After reading that I knew where the money I have to spend is going this year. The nieces and nephews I usually give gifts to do not need
anything. They will each get a card telling them a donation in their name was made to someone in real need.

effected like a disaster .

It depend Jack, what was the last Mega Millions lottery winning number?

I told my 6 year old son that the toys on his Christmas list cost a lot of money and he may not get everything. He told me, “toys are free, Santa brings them.” So Santa has being doing a lot of talking to get him to shorten his list.

Let’s just say it killed a poor guy at a Wall Mart!

effected like hurricane.

We’re cutting back and I’m only buying if it’s half off or better.

What do you mean economic crisis?

Ho! Ho! Ho! Looks like we all got Scrooged this year!

I only spend on the kids. The adults are out of luck and beside you can’t please most adults in gift buying anyhow. Christmas should be for kids.

The recession doesn’t affect my Christmas spending much at all. I happen to be one of the rarest of Americans, someone who actually celebrates Chrismas as Jesus’ birthday!

I usually just buy gifts for family that I would have bought them anyway, except I just wait till Christmas to give it to them.

My wife and I are doing ok financially, we plan to give cash to the kids and grand kids to help them have a happier holiday season. That way, they can decide if they if they need to fill the stockings over the fireplace with holiday surprises or the fuel tank that heats their home.

That way, I can skip the madhouse of Christmas shopping and the family won’t have to worry about standing in long lines to return their gifts…..if they don’t want the cash, they can always give it back.

I’m a single Mom in Colorado, all three of my sons are serving in the military, one heading out as medic in Army National Guard to Kuait. One at Ft. Lewis Wa, one at Ft. Campbel—he has 4-young kids. Ky. My spending for the holidays is for just the “kids”—, for my sons, friends, extended family, I think the best we have to offer one another is support, care, love, and what is truly important. Maybe the economic downturn has a bit of a “silver lining”, should we be reminded that holidays are more than “black Friday shopping” and what can be bought, or had, but about what can be given, shared, and appreciated —together, as a family, and as a nation. So my holiday emphasis and spirit is about these important issues and caring about others, those military families who are not welcoming home their loved ones from Iraq or elsewhere, either by separation, or by misfortune and war.
So, even in tough times, hours at work being cut ( mine are) or eliminated, etc, lets remember there is worse…… to deal with and appreciate what we do have….. most of all .. our loved ones and their wellbeing. We can all “spend” of the heart!
Carol Weyle
Colorado Mom, Lakewood Co.

We’ve finished our shopping. Bought the grand kids a wood spoon and got an old pot from the Goodwill Store so they have a noise maker and their parents gift cards from grocery stores so they would have food for all and to all a good night.

It never impacted my shopping due to the fact I get everybody gift cards anyway.

Ho! Ho! Ho! Looks like we all got Scrooged this year! I wish there REALLY was a Santa Claus…maybe he could fix this whole mess….

I haven’t bought a Christmas present in decades. The economy has nothing to do with it. I just got sick of the whole crazy mess, and I quit participating. I enjoy the pretty decorations and the carols on commercials though. (Spirit of Christmas and all). ROFL

For me it’s a good thing. I’ve always said its the thought that counts not the price.

HO ! HO ! HO ! I make my presents out of old used GOP clothes donated from Sarah Palin….

I never did like giving gifts, now I have an excuse.

Christmas, I believe, is about reaffirmation of the love that lays in our souls. Where we reconnect spiritually to those around us and those afar. This is my plan, I do not understand how an economy will affect this.

Jack,
It’s getting so bad, this message is the only gift I can afford to get for you and Wolf. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

Erik
McDonough, GA

Hi Jack:

Just a built in reason not to buy gifts for people that I did not want to buy for anyway.

Bennie
Avon, IN

Let put it this way. I will be celebrating Christmas in its most Christian way. That is, in a humble, low tone and kind-to others way. Definitively not allowing all the pressures of TV and other media marketers on us to spend, drink and eat till our hearts’ content; while the less fortunate this season have to live and do without. Something like the Big 3 automaker CEO’s who have tone down to $1 salary and clipping their corporate jets’ wings.

Jack, . . . I will be using the word SPAM in its original form this year.

I’m a Scrooge. We don’t do shopping specifically for Christmas. We try to buy wisely throughout the year. Mosty of the time we are able to buy things in boxes that have never been opened. That week after Christmas is a great time to get stuff that’s been used or rejected or even broken by others, and then repackaged by the store. Besides, it’s far nicer to get unexpected gifts year round. You also are able to spread the season around the entire year rather than getting one big bill in January. We don’t miss not hitting the stores at 5AM

I never shop for Christmas presents as it only shows off our greed and ignores what the season should be really about. Remember,it is better to give than to receive.

We have been shopping like mad. We’ve bought gifts for needy seniors and impoverished children, and taken supplies to our local animal shelter and homeless shelter.

I’m paying off debt rather than make it!

It hasn’t really affected us that much. We don’t have children right now, so we are shopping, as usual, for each other, our young nieces & nephews ($20 each) and my mother-in-law (gave her money for a new oven). The family has cut the Secret Santa we do for the second year in a row because there are other who just can’t afford to buy another $20 gift.

Cry China Cry, ….I’m making my own gifts for everyone this year. (I’m a retired auto designer and got back into “fine arts”.)

The best part is, I’m enjoying it more and it’s easier than shopping and spending. The big plus is my presents have more meaning to those who receive them!

Ho Ho Ho!

Jack,

Except for one gift that will go to a Santa-oriented child, I am going to buy all my gifts on Boxing Day.

I guess it means a lot more parents will be trying to convince their kids that time together with the family is the “true” meaning of Christmas. I don’t think that’s going to go over well.

No difference. We have three children, seven grandchildren and one great, that we buy for. We don’t spend much, but we have a lot of love and fun on Christmas day. I think big spending for material things is unimportant as it is Jesus’ birthday, not ours.

i

Considering I have been laid off for a year now and still searching for a job. I have never had a problem like this finding another job as I am 51 yrs old and fortunately in good health. It took the government a year to tell us we have been in a recession even though the public has known since September 2007. All’s I want for christmas is a job.

Christmas is about giving……..this year, I have $47.00 out of my state retiement to live off of……The price of everything has stripped me…..
I can not give to even my lil grandchildren this year……They are getting my love……that is a high priced ticket item…….but no gifts for under the tree……Happy Holidays Everyone……..Merry Christmas

It hasn’t, in the past 10yrs my family has bought gifts for the children only and that tradition has continued now that these children now have families of their own. We the adults believe the most important thing at X’mas is getting together, thanking God for our health & love of family, eating, drinking & being merry.

Paying morgage and the bills will be our Christmas gifts to each other.

My family will be focusing less on the material and more on the spiritual meaning of the holiday season - as was always intended.

It can’t mean too much if crowds of shoppers are so eager to spend their money they would trample someone to get the first chance to buy.

Economic Crisis? Our mall is packed, no one would even guess people are having a tough time. Traffic is terrible, you really don’t have a crisis here where I live.

Not much. My company is not getting is accounts receivable paid and there is no credit for salary which means I have not been paid for 6 months.

There is no money to buy anything!

It changed us from having shopping plans to having plans of not shopping. My wife and I agreed that rather than spend money we dont have on gifts we dont really need, that we would take advantage of the currently low price on gas and we are driving to Ohio, to pay homage to the greats of the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame. Jimi Hendrix never stole any of my retirement money.

No more impulse, fun stuff, making sure to cover the necessities which are still fun to open wrapped in last year’s bargain paper or comics. I’ll bake any cookies we have this year instead of hitting the bakery. The special dinner gets picked based on whether it can be stretched to an extra dinner and lunch… Puzzles instead of driving to look at the lights…

Thanks Wall Street.

Christmas will be hard on alot of people this year Jack!

I hear instead of coal in the stocking’s of all the bad little boy’s and girl’s this year, Santa is giving them G.M. stock!

I am no longer charging Christmas and am trying to come up with more meaningful and less expensive presents for everyone. Surprisingly, It has put me in a much better mood knowing I wont be up to my eyeballs in debt or out in the christmas shopping rat-race this year. Ho Ho Ho.

No Jack, everybody’s just giving each other food for presents this year. HO HO HO

Kenneth Chadbourn N.C.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. This concludes my shopping plans.

I have a well thought out plan this year Jack. I will report myself to the
missing persons bureau and hide until December 26th. My family will
be so happy to see me again they will have forgotten that I didn’t buy
gifts.

no worries have no money to spend no debts incurred no bills coming…just cheer and love for the holidays.

Christmas is only for the under teen children this year. The teens and adult are being told there is a donation being made instead to Philabudance and other organizations who feed the needy. Nobody should go hungry in this Country when we pay farmers not to grow certain foods.

I have to watch the big game at my neighbor’s house. I need to wait yet another year before I can afford that big wide-screen high-def TV. This recession sucks.

hi jack
no our family is going to the white house and watch our tree and take all our bills and ask the President to earase all our debt,and maybe even ask if we can come to christmas dinner

clearwater,fl

No more black fridays, no more buying for nieces and nephews, and no more extensive travel plans– just a humble day at home with family. On the bright side, this economic meltdown is a reprieve for a nation of over consumers. Maybe this will help shift us into being a greener, more conserving nation. One can only hope.

Up here in Canada we are just now in the process of getting our Christmas present as the 3 minority political parties are forming a coalition to take control away from the reigning Conservative Party.

Now that’s a present our whole country will enjoy for months to come.

I’m spending right at 50 bucks, I got to the name I drew at my grandma’s birthday party a gift and buy the two people I live with a gift. That’s about all I need to buy and all I can afford. Merry Christmas Jack and Wolfe.

My family all agrees that we’ll have a gift exchange for the adults, buy presents for the children, and enjoy the holiday simply. I saved a Christmas Club and I will be limiting my spending to what I can pay for either from my Christmas Club or regular paycheck. This is going to be a no-credit Christmas. The fact that we’ve all decided to make Christmas simpler hasn’t effected our Christmas spirit… infact, I think keeping things simple may actually enhance our Christmas spirit… We won’t be worried about the credit card bills after Christmas and we won’t be stressed out from overshopping. I think it just may be our best Christmas ever!

Now I have to watch the big game at my neighbor’s house. I need to wait yet another year before I can afford that big wide-screen high-def TV. This economic crisis reeks of dog doo.

What shopping plans Jack?

Other than shifting from Honeybaked to Sam’s Choice ham, Christmas 2008 will be pretty much the same. But all bets are off for the Christmas of 2009 and beyond — I’m 65 and my 401k took a royal beating. Are the Bushes royalty? Or does it just seem that way.

It hasn’t affected me at all. 9 years ago my mother had her pension reduced to 25% of what it was after my father died. She doesn’t have enough quarters worked to qualify for Social Security & Medicare either and she has to pay for her own health insurance which consumes nearly half of her monthly income. She can longer afford to give gifts; so our family made a decision then to not exchange gifts. It’s a sad commentary on what the Holiday Season has become when a seasonal employee probably making minimum wage gave up his life for the “Door Buster” greed. What people seem to have forgotten is gift buying is not the reason for the season–that’s pretty sad!

Don’t you mean Christmas shop-lifting plans?

What Christmas?

Gene
Palatine,IL

Forget the gifts, what my friends and I need are jobs. Jobs that can’t be outsourced and have benefits like 401k and health care.

Jack….The economy has not affected my Christmas shopping one bit. I always without fail, Get a gift for my wife,daughter and grandbaby. And that’s it. It is silly to go into debt behind one holiday.

Christmas comes on the 25th day of every single year as expected so my shopping plans have been met. The economic crisis wasn’t included in my shopping plans, it will have to wait until next Christmas.

I told the kids that’s Santa’s house was foreclosed on and the reindeer were sold to China.

About the same. And for the first time, being the poor, “hand to mouth” member of my family, has paid off. You can’t lose what you didn’t have invested!

Everyone on my list will receive a card.

It’s going to be less like “The Christmas Story” and more like “Bad Santa”. Besides, shopping has become deadly dangerous.

I think the best gift this year will be a gift certificate for some gas. That seems to be the best “bargain” deal around and it’s something that people can use. Truly “one size fits all” and no need to worry about them having to return it if it’s the wrong color or if it doesn’t match whatever else they have.

Roland
St. George, UT

I’m spending like a wild man ! Prices are so cheap. New computer, digital camera, thin screen TV. I just left a store telling them to stop me before I spend again. Goss, if I had the doe I’d buy a new Ford. It’s cheap, cheap, cheap, buy, buy, buy. Ralph, Yakima, Wa.

Santa isn’t going to get fat on cookies in this house, and we’re holding off on some celebrating until January 20.

Jack,
It’s a good thing my children are almost grown and gift cards will be the norm this year. Slim Pickens is the theme for Christmas this year.

Jack, Christmas has temporarily re-assigned to November 27th and since that date has already passed I have a one year reprieve.

We have always budgeted for Christmas, lived within our means. And we have never been in debt after the holidays!

Our Christmas, will be like last year’s. Nice.

Americans have been living beyond their means and its starting to backfire!

It’s Christmas everyday for my children …

It doesn’t Jack. I will still not spend money that I do not have! I now know and appreciate why my brother and I rarely got toys, only socks and underwear and necessary items. They too were children of the Depression.

I spent all of my money contributing to Obama and Senate and Congressional candidates who would support him. I hope I can afford a holiday next year.

I’m going through all my old stuff and re-gifting. Hope I don’t give one to someone who gave it to me. As for the kids, Salvation Army and Good-Will. Whatever works.

It hasn’t!! This is mostly a myth!! Even the first statistics out are good!

As long as the price of coal doesn’t increase, I’m okay.

This recession which has only now been formally announced which Americans have already known for a year. This Christmas will be a recession Christmas with fewer and cheaper presents for my 3 boys. Just because adults caused this economic situation it should affect our children who did nothing to deserve this recession Christmas. However I know for a fact that Santa Clause coming to my kids Christmas is suffering with this recession. I hope they know that ( I ) I mean Santa Clause is suffering this Christmas.

Not at all, in fact I have spent more these season than in past years. I retired early this year so I don’t have to worry about being fired. I do have concerns about the value of the dollar and its potential negative inflationary consequences on import prices but at present my biggest concerns are rising utility bills, state and local taxes.

Every single year since I can remember, my mother has told my brother and I that Christmas “will be tight this year.” Now I have reason to believe her

After president photo-op bush and cheny, the worst administration in US history, ” May God Bless Us, Everyone”!

Plans? What plans? Who has money to celebrate Christmas unless you are a corporate big wheel borrowing money from the poor and middle class?

If the economy hadn’t already dampened my plans, the murder of the poor man at Wal-Mart, trampled by hordes of greed-possessed shoppers has done so. I’m disillusioned not only by the economy, but also by the farce made of Christmas by this society in general. I think we need to step back and look at what this season represents for pretty much every faith on the planet. Whether Solstice or Hannukkah or Christmas — this has been a traditional time for good will to our fellows. Who knows? If we got back to that, maybe even the economy would feel a positive effect, with people in need being treated well, and those of us who have a bit more than we need, sharing, as we should.

My shopping isn’t really changing at all because its always been pretty simple. Christmas gifts will be purchased only for those who I’m spending Christmas morning with … sister, brother-in-law & nephew. The gifts won’t be anything extravagant — my brother-in-law has always told me that his gift to me is that he lets me in the door! The gift of homemade seasoning mixes for dips will go in the mail to Mom tomorrow. I will continue my tradition of giving myself a gift (there’s no husband or my own kids to do that) … this year’s gift … probably an extra payment on my car loan.

Hasn’t affected me at all, since I’ve always thought it is too commercialized. I cook and reflect, I don’t shop. I won’t accept gifts and I don’t give any. If you want a good meal, my house is the place to be for Christmas.

W and the Republicans arranged for my retirement IRA to disappear so I am being very very frugal. After spending for groceries like powered milk, beans and stale bread, I will spend a little for some very simple and practical gifts

Hey Jack. I guess it has as I do plan to be a bit more selective as to who I spend on this year. But more importantly, won’t we all get in trouble for using the word Chistmas in this politically “correct ” age?

You know Jack, it’s a common practice to ditch all but one of your girlfriends before Christmas to avoid buying them all a gift. But this year, I don’t have to ditch any. Christmas is just for the kids this year, and they all understand. So, how has it affected me? Gloriously! I don’t have to go through all of the messy breakups this year, meaning that I might even be able to afford to buy my mom something. Who says Bush ain’t the man? I did, but Shhhh, they might be watching. -> George - MS

Jack: The words are “stricit budget shopping” for Christmas. The worst is that charities and church will get less, because it is not there to give anymore. Children need some toys, but this year Christmas is defintely for children and not adult wants. Merry Christmas, Jack.

John
Alabama

I make dinner for a group of local friends for Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter. We decided at last weeks dinner we were not exchanging gifts. None of us really need anything and most of us can’t affort to do much this year, anyway. That problem solved, now for the kids and grand kids. Smaller and less expensive rings a bell.

Jack yes it will Ive been out of work for three years and I do not see any jobs coming soon, so yes I would say it has effected my family and I so we are faced with the true Christmas spirit the family dinner and hopefully a warm roof over our heads

Hey Jack, Living up here in Toronto I can see the north pole from my house. Santa’s workshop is dark! it seems all the elves have been laid off.

Not that I would mind you,but it makes me want to shop till I drop knowing it can not be repaid,then going up in front of my government officals and reqesting that they bail me out.My competence most have been slighty incompetent sorry ,Merry Christmas!

Very Seriously Jack. I get paid twice per month. This weeks check will be for presents (very few) and the last check of the month will be for January’s bills and I’ll more than likely be short.

I wonder if the price of gas didn’t take an extra 60 or 70 buck’s a week out of everyones pockets throughout the summer if we the people would be in this bad a shape? Merry Christmass all you oil companies…you have all the marbles!

The Grinch has stolen our shopping list for Christmas. With the higher prices on everything and the uncertainty, who wants to buy that Rudolph with the flashing red nose. The blow up snow globes with wintry scenes for the front yard are completely out. If we get a warm pair of gloves to replace the one lone glove from last year, we’ll count our blessings. Christmas shopping will be leaner than Twiggy on Slim-Fast.

We are retired, and over the past 8 years have watched our retirement funds dwindle rapidly while the cost of everything else skyrockets. This year, for the very first time, instead of spending nearly $3500 for Christmas gifts for friends and relatives, we are spending less than $300. We didn’t want Christmas to be like this, but until the Market gets better and insurance/medical costs become reasonable, Christmas is the only place we can make adjustments in our budget.

Jack, maybe people should get back to the real, uncommercial spirit of Christmas. If people getting trampled to death during the sales is the spirit of Christmas, then you can count me out. Why do people feel they need to buy things to validate themselves and their families?

Jack,
No change for me. Everyone I shop for gets a lump of coal, and coal is still cheap!

We are giving only to our child and my mother this year. My father and husband’s parents have passed away otherwise they would be included. My husband and I will not exchange gifts.

Christmas will be very low keyed this year not only because of the economy but also because we are sick and tired of accumulating more junk that we quite frankly do not need or even want. Most of my friends and relatives agree. Whatever we have left after the children and parents are taken care of will go to charity.

I can’t afford to buy any Christmas gifts this year!! Christmas is cancelled this year.

We will still have a great Christmas and will be cash only just like last year.

We have decided no presents for adults this year. And a minimum spending on the children.

Jack - This year everyone is getting baked goods. I think that says it all.

Bianca

If I can’t bake it, cook it, or find it in the house, it won’t be a Christmas present. I’m not spending any money. Not even on wrapping paper. Lost my job, looking for a new one and times are thin…

After being hit by a car trying to save money riding my bike to work, I will spend very little this year…

Wake up America stop spending money on things you can not afford and will not use two weeks after Christmas day! And stop falling for the fake sale you know the ones were they raise the prices and then put things 50% off back to the original price you normally buy thing at!

I am buying 2 gifts—1 for my daughter and her friend who now lives with us— my parents and I have agreed no christmas….just to keep things low key, in the family, and centered.

My feet will not step foot inside a mall this year.

Just does not seem right and frankly after the stampede at Wal-Mart I am absolutely disgusted by the shop at all costs mentality that is pervasive in this country.

We have become fools to the dollar and have forgotten what truly counts.

Jack, what Christmas shopping plans?

Only my Divorce Attorney will have enough to buy gifts this year.

Keeping my presents down to just my immediate family. Everyone else will get a “Merry Christmas”.

I didn’t go shopping this Black Friday. Even if the deals were great. This season keeping the lights on and having food to eat is the real deal.

Ingrid
Champaign, IL

Jack, WHAT Christmas shopping plans. This year I’m doing holiday shopping at the supermarket and, if I can afford it, my wife will be getting a pot roast. At least it’ll be something useful that she can truly enjoy.

Jack - I AM NOT spending a dime on anything other than gas and groceries between Thanksgiving Day and Jan. 2nd. Even SunTrust will have to wait forthe December mortgage (I’ll pay the late fee - but if they never get it I’m sure the gov’t will bail them out)!!!!!!! Not a DIME…..

Actually Im Jewish, so its really affecting my shopping plans. Theres no way I can buy one present for each night!!!

Jack, I plan to shop for a new bank as mine will probably go under. Merry Christmas

my family usually draw names and exchange gifts,but this year,we are either going to make them or just forgo the whole thing. Spending time together is more important than gving gifts. We lost both parents during the holidays last year,which makes Christmas hard to celebrate.

what plans i’m laid-off and aig and everyone else has the money!
maybe george or dick will buy me somethingt?
not holding my breathe.

I can’t afford a christmas present for my girlfriend. She’s probably going to break up with me. thanks a lot Bush!

You can’t go Christmas shopping when you’re unemployed.

Honestly Jack, could people just get real and stop making the holiday’s all about what your going to get. The holiday is a celebration of the birth of Jesus. If we just focus on that then we wouldn’t have to worry about being in a recession and just BE with out families!

I am in my second year of college, with plenty of money from my two jobs this summer still in the bank. The economy is not affecting my shopping this year simply because I am a smart consumer and know which deals are good and which ones are scams. If more people had saved over the past year instead of spending the recession would not affect there shopping expenses.

There will be NO Christmas at my house as far as presents and special dinners or homemade cookies are concerned. There is just enough to pay bills and hopefully put the essentials on the table. Thermostats are lowered and the only shopping place we go is the grocery store. But we are going to sing songs and thank our blessings while we struggle to hold on for better times. After all, loving one another doesn’t cost money!

It looked bleak until today. I had a girl sideswipe my ten year old car and the adjuster gave me a check for over a thousand. You know that I am going to have the “minor” damage fixed. However, I will be frugal this year with gift giving………

Sarge
Indianapolis

Jack– Did you say Christmas? This year? I thought Christmas is canceled this year.

Cesar
New Orleans, LA

Jack: I won’t be spending a dime on Christmas. I am hoping to have enough money to make a nice dinner for my family. I am out of work, have no credit, can’t fix my car and doubt if I’ll even have heat this winter. The retail industry’s commercialization of Christmas is taking a serious hit this year, and it feels pretty good. Jeff C.

The economy is Asheville, NC is better for our business and profits this year. I will be spending at least twice as much as last year. Also going overseas to celebrate a great year! Obama will just make it better, so plan to celebrate harder next year.

I’m buyin’ a bag of charcoal for stocking stuffers. The rest of the coal I’ll use to fire up the grill for tube steaks. In seriousness, this will perhaps get people back on track with what is really important for the holiday season….”peace on earth and goodwill towards men,” not how many gifts we did or didn’t get for Christmas….. 2008 has been one helluva year.

M-A

What shopping plans?

Actually I’m expecting a great Christmas this year… I’ve submitted my requests to Congress for both a bailout and an economic stimulus package… wife and kids are anxiously waiting for the check to arrive.

It hasn’t affected my shopping plans at all ! Bah, humbug !
98 percent of what they have to sell is made overseas anyway, and 80 percent of the merchandise has no value anyway !

Let’s just say i’m glad my kids are to young to understand

I’ve told my family and the few friends that I nomally gift to, that this year
we’ll be making donations in their names to local charitable organizations. (The only ones who will get gifts are my 2 nephews ages 14 and 11, and the 2 elementary school kids that my husband and I are mentoring.)

Marcia L.
Starksboro, VT