Christmas Buyers Didn't Show Up

Our family agreed to forego Christmas shopping this year. It's stressful, it's a hassle, and Chirstmas is for kids. None of us have kids. So I liked the idea.

Up until one member of the family caved in. Then of course we all caved in. But mostly we gave retailers the middle finger.

Christmas sales are less than 4% of our nation GDP- yet to hear economists talk about it- our entire economic future hangs in the balance.

Of course this is bullshit and as I shopped this year- I could tell that there were far less shoppers at the mall. The Boise mall is a ginormous draw- not just in Boise- but within a 200 mile radius.

I didn't see the kind of traffic that I did pre 2008 or even last year. I also believe people have less disposable cash and that savings are falling in sync with buying power. The problem with the business class and government is that they have pillaged the village. Paying sweatshop wages and then expecting double digit sales increases while counterfeiting our currency- year over year- is complete fantasy.

That and tax burdens just keep rising. Forget the national tax debate. Local taxes, property taxes, utilities- those costs just keep going up.

Not surprised to see holiday sales disappoint. http://money.msn.com/business-news/article.aspx?feed=AP&date=20121226&id=15936783

A lot of cash changing hands- but only among family members. I see that trend continuing.

Comments

Anonymous said…
I'm with you on giving the middle finger to the commercialization that Christmas has become, and have been doing so for the last few years. I don't need the stress, the aggravation and the experience of fighting my way through a throng of psychotic shoppers, and what a relief that is. The woman and I went to her sister's house, had a good meal, a couple of beers, and that was it (and I went through a $25 box of pennies when I got home, harvesting copper; my treat to myself). Malls, merchants and mayhem? No, thank you.
Brian said…
Tell her to take the stuff back, get the dough instead. Good to see you swing by J...
Anonymous said…
Forget the dough. I gave gave one ounce of silver to all my kids this year. I was most proud of my youngest who is ten years old. He said to me as he unwraped the small box this is real money, right dad. I said as I hugged him, thats my boy.
Brian said…
Well done. It is exactly what I should have done.
Bearded Youth said…
Its ok boss. I did buy her some precious metals as well. 200 rounds for the 12 gauge and another 500 rounds for her 9mm. So it wasn't a total loss.
Anonymous said…
You're teaching him well. Good on you.

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