Christmas Slowdown

I know this might sound kind of crazy, but I'm sort of liking the effect that this economic downturn is having on the holiday season. I think maybe more people are stopping the spending frenzy that usually characterizes Christmas, and are more focused on spending time with their families and creating meaningful holiday experiences. I really like this article from msnbc.com, talking about a new trend this year in a more simple holiday.

"Although it’s still early in the season, many others say that they, too, are
seeing more than just a financial benefit to cutting back. Harris, the
mother of three in Colorado Springs, remembers a time years ago when her husband
had just gotten out of the military, she was volunteering full-time at a church,
and “we were broke — dead broke,” she said. Using a small donation she had
received, Harris bought each child a laundry basket and filled it with their
favorite junk food. Then she gave them a cleaning tool along with a coupon
giving them a weekend off from cleaning. Even today, the family still has a
tradition of giving their boys a bottle of soda for Christmas, and she said all
of her sons still have the cleaning tools from that Christmas years
ago. “They remember that Christmas far more intricately than any other
Christmas we had,” Harris said."

I love the renewed focus on the non-material elements of the holidays. When you can get the focus off trips to the malls and long gift lists, you have the opportunity to enjoy being with your family and friends and celebrating the season in a much more meaningful and less stressful way.

Cute Striped Sweater

I love this adorable black and gray striped merino wool sweater from Banana Republic. The peacoat styling is so cool, and I like the extra long sleeves. And it's on sale right now for $119.99 off from $175.

Holiday Dress

If you're looking for a dress for your holiday parties, check out the Ann Taylor website, they're having a final sale on a bunch of cute party dresses, including this pretty sequined dress (I don't recommend replicating the hair style though!). It's on sale for $59.44, off of $289. Hurry, the sizes are running out as we speak.

UPDATE: This dress is even cheaper now! You can get it for $41.61 by using code 104007059 at checkout. What a great deal!

Spending Spree

I have to say, I was shocked at the news that Black Friday spending was up this year by 3% over last year, especially as news broke yesterday that the U.S. is officially in a recession (which is not exactly a news flash to anyone who has been paying any attention to the economy).  

Personally, I have lost a lot of my love for shopping lately, as I'm sure you've noticed from my recent lack of blogging.  I just haven't been shopping lately, and haven't even wanted to.  Instead, I've been doing something radical--saving.  I've been shopping for the best c.d. and savings account rates instead of shoes and clothes.  My reaction to all the bad economic news is to withdraw from the spending cycle and institute a bit of a spending freeze.  It makes me feel better to have no credit card debt and money in the bank than a closet full of new clothes or a pile of Christmas presents under the tree.  Maybe some people's reaction is just the opposite--maybe spending more in the midst of this economic crisis somehow makes them feel better.  If so, that smacks of some serious denial to me.  Or maybe the crisis just hasn't affected them--yet.  

While I haven't been personally affected by the economic downturn (other than the free fall of my 401(k)), my instincts are to cut back on spending and increase my savings.  I have a set budget for Christmas presents, and I stay within it.  I hope most people are doing the same.  I find it scary to think about people going out and charging a lot of expensive electronics and gifts on their credit cards right now. I hope that this economy will make people focus less on spending and more on saving.  This New York Times article seems to indicate that at least some people are cutting back, even though for the people profiled in the article it appears to be by necessity rather than by choice.