DO people spend more or less during the Christmas Holiday

People spend way more during the holiday season!

It depends on a lot of factors such as disposable income; inflation rates; the unemployment rate, etc.

This year for instance, with oil going for almost $100/barrel, gas is expensive and people have to dip into their credit a little more. This might cause Christmas spending to go down. Of course retailers know this also, and discount more to bring consumer spending up.

I heard reports that people where going to spend less this year than last year and that it would be later in the season than usual. I wonder how that prediction is going so far. Gas, what a joke!

One of our family traditions is to spend NO MORE than $12 dollars on each person, each person spends $12 on the each of the other 5 people in the house, one gift, and one stocking stuffer. This gives each person a chance to really think about the person they are buying for, and helps to reinforce that it is the thought that was put into the gift, not the gift itself. How many teenage boys would buy there older sister a cute little heart ring for her to remember he loves her? That's exactly what my son did last year, he got it in sterling silver for a little over $9. His sister charishes it and is never without it. It also gives each person time to truely appreciate the giver. Santa of course always comes with one larger gift each for the kids and a family present. This tradition takes a lot of stress out of shopping, as well as teaches valuable lessons. (my opinion) So, I will not spend anymore this year than I spent last year or the year before ;)

Great answer Ruchele! In our family we spend less too, 2 or 3 gifts for each of the kids and that is plenty!

I thought people spent more for Easter and Valentines day combined then they did for Christmas...

People always spend way more then they usually do during the xmas season. even if they weren't planning on spending that much.