[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/12/02/art.shopping.a.gi.jpg caption="Sales for Friday and Saturday were up about 2 percent from a year ago."]
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
The nation's retailers got a bit of boost on Black Friday. Sales for Friday and Saturday were actually up about 2 percent from a year ago, according to research firm ShopperTrak. But the Christmas shopping season has a ways to go, and the jury is still out on whether the beleaguered consumer has enough left in his jeans to make the season a success.
Federal Reserve Chief Ben Bernanke says the bad times will be around for awhile. The Dow plunged 680 points yesterday on the news that the U.S. economy is officially in a recession and has been for a year. Manufacturing has dropped to a 26-year low. The fate of U.S. auto industry remains uncertain. Unemployment stands at 6-point-8 percent. And news of layoffs continued today in both the private and public sector. Washington Mutual is planning to cut 9,200 jobs. The City of Atlanta announced today it's laying off 222.
There's not a lot out there to put you in the holiday spending mood.
Here’s my question to you: How has the economic crisis affected your Christmas shopping plans?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Lou writes:
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.
Dan from Chantilly, Virginia writes:
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.
Randy writes:
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. The wife and kids are anxiously waiting for the check to arrive.
David from San Diego, California writes:
We plan to do almost nothing, and we are feeling quite well off financially. It is time to become a less-materialistic society and focus on the things that really matter-like football.
Cheryl from Westfield, Massachusetts writes:
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!
Lester writes:
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...
Ken from Seattle, Washington writes:
I have had to take you and Wolf off my Christmas list. Sorry guys, maybe next year.