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photo by Marcus Frazier
Photos, clockwise from top-right, Janis Wisner browses through a clothing rack for Christmas gifts at St. Andrew’s Thrift store Friday. Mike Ray checks out the price tag on a rifle as he looks for possible Christmas gifts Friday at the Sports Center. Maria Bowser looks for items she can add to her Christmas wish list Friday at Turning Pages.
Published Sunday, November 23, 2008
Kathy Barnes won’t be Christmas shopping at department stores or downtown shops this year. With the state of the economy, Barnes is tightening her budget.
“You just have to be more conservative this year, it seems like,” she said.
And that’s why she has opted to shop at discount stores and St. Andrew’s Thrift Store.
“You have to shop where you find things cheap,” she said.
Barnes said she had to give special consideration to Christmas shopping this year and plan things out.
She said with the bulk of her Christmas shopping centered on children, she needs to be selective.
Toys and children’s clothes are expensive, she said, and it’s important to find the items that are going to last and might not fade out of popularity or be grown out of in a few months time.
Christmas change
Some national retail trends are changing how people plan for Christmas shopping.
One way people have traditionally helped handle the Christmas bills was layaway programs, where a store holds a item for a customer while the customer pays it off in increments. When the last payment is made, the item is released to the customer.
But in recent years retailers have begun eliminating their layaway programs.
Layaway programs take up valuable store storage space that could be used for other things, they have to be staffed, customers abandon items and the store doesn’t make any extra money on layaway items.
Kmart is the only local major retailer that still has a lay-away program, and it has seen an increase in use of the program since last Christmas, the local manager said.
“With the economy the way it is, people on strict budgets — if they are going to buy items for Christmas or a birthday — they look at the situation and think, ‘If I am going to get this I need to buy these items on layaway, and pay it out a little bit at a time as they get their paychecks every two weeks,” Kmart Office Manager Mary-Jo Britt said.
And Britt said from anecdotal experience those in lower income brackets aren’t the only ones using the layaway program any more.
“It’s (use) is going into all classes of people — from the underprivileged up,” Britt said.
Last minute locals
It’s the inter-class economic tension Britt spoke of that seems to be keeping a lot of people out of smaller local shops.
The owner of Katie’s Ladies, Katie McCarstle, said she has seen a definite downturn in business in the last couple of months.
She believes it has to do with what were the rising prices of groceries and fuel.
“I know prices have started to go down, but I think they are still watching the stock market,” she said. “People are very leery.”
Likewise, Tonja Richards, the manager of The Picket Fence in Vidalia, said that store has also seen a slowdown in business.
“Usually it gets slow the two weeks before Thanksgiving, but the two weeks before that we usually get people in starting Christmas shopping,” Richards said. “We just haven’t had the flow we normally have.”
However, Richards doesn’t believe that the slow times now will translate into bad Christmas sales.
“It seems they are just holding off (buying) right now,” Richards said. “I am having a lot more traffic that is people coming in and getting ideas. Everybody is looking for the best deal they can get.”
McCarstle said she doesn’t believe local buyers have given up on her boutique for larger retailers in other cities, and like Richards, believes people are just waiting to make sure they won’t need the money elsewhere.
“I think we will see a good deal of last minute shopping,” McCarstle said. “I think the last week before Christmas will be very busy.”
Saving, planning, buying
A desire to make sure things get done right has some people taking care of things now before they have to resort to panic shopping, however.
Natchez residents Amy and Jay Gamberi have put a lot of thought into their holiday shopping this year.
“This (Christmas) for us seems to be a little more planned and organized,” Amy said.
Jay said that’s different from previous years.
“It’s not as last minute,” he said.
Which has, in turn, saved the couple’s finances when shopping for daughters Mia, 8, and Graci, 2.
“When you have kids, you have to plan it out,” Amy said.
Part of that plan is picking up items throughout the year, Amy said.
“As we’d see things, we’d pick them up,” she said.
Also, abstaining from relying on a credit card has been beneficial to the family.
“We don’t do credit,” Amy said. “We have done credit in the past but now we do cash.”
Finally, another cash saving technique the couple uses during Christmas is to have the extended family draw names, so each member only gives and receives one present.
“Several years ago we went to Cajun Christmases,” Jay said.
Amy said due to the size of the families on both sides, it’s too cumbersome to try to buy gifts for everyone.
“It does help out,” she said. “All the kids get so much anyway, our two don’t need any extra.”
And while Jay and Amy, employees at Computer Consultants, said they aren’t feeling the pinch of the economy quite yet, they said it might be a problem next Christmas.
“It may be an issue later. Everything in this area trickles in slowly,” Jay said.
Comments
Posted by Hardcorps (anonymous) on November 23, 2008 at 11:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
OK the gas prices have dropped drastically. Why won't the monopolistic family who owns all th grocery stores drop their prices since they blamed the increases on fuel costs. What a ripoff they are. I see them in a saturday paper on the religion page espousing their views. Something gets hypocritical between the time I read that and go to their store a few minutes later.
Posted by Hardcorps (anonymous) on November 23, 2008 at 11:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
OK the gas prices have dropped drastically. Why won't the monopolistic family who owns all the grocery stores drop their prices since they blamed the increases on fuel costs. What a ripoff they are. I see them in a saturday paper on the religion page espousing their views. Something gets hypocritical between the time I read that and go to their store a few minutes later.
Posted by mike8427 (anonymous) on November 23, 2008 at 1:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hard coprs - If you feel that why go to Wal-Mart, that is a much more family oriented store (yeah right).
Posted by starla (anonymous) on November 23, 2008 at 2:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
For Xmas shopping, one word you have to remember is Ebay! You can get games, movies, and other things so much cheaper than you would at the stores! Plus, you don't have to deal with the obnoxious people!
Posted by 2008 (anonymous) on November 23, 2008 at 6:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The following is an email that came my way last week from the west coast...it pertains to giving gift cards.............. It doesn't hurt to ask before purchase.
**********************************************************************************
Everyone needs to know that if you tend to give gift cards around the holidays, you need to be careful that the cards will be honored after the holidays. Stores that are planning to close after Christmas are still selling the cards through the holidays even though the cards might be worthless January 1. There is no law preventing them from doing this. On the contrary, it is referred to as 'Bankruptcy Planning). If you are hanging on to some, might be wise to use them now as well.
Below is a partial list of stores that you need to be cautious about.
REMEMBER: If you get one of these gift cards -- I wouldn't put off making use of it, in case these caution warnings come true! Companies might be in business, but finding a local store could be another thing!
Circuit City (filed Chapter 11)
Ann Taylor- 117 stores nationwide closing
Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug ,and Catherine's to close 150 stores nationwide
Eddie Bauer to close stores 27 stores and more after January
Cache will close all stores
Talbots closing down specialty stores
J. Jill closing all stores (owned by Talbots)
Pacific Sunwear (also owned by Talbots)
GAP closing 85 stores
Footlocker closing 140 stores mo re to close after January
Wickes Furniture closing down
Levitz closing down remaining stores
Bombay closing remaining stores
Zales closing down 82 stores and 105 after January
Whitehall closing all stores
Piercing Pagoda closing all stores
Disney closing 98 stores and will close more after January.
Home Depot closing 15 stores 1 in NJ ( New Brunswick )
Macys to close 9 stores after January
Linens and Things closing all stores
Movie Galley Closing all stores
Pep Boys Closing 33 stores
Sprint/Nextel closing 133 stores
JC Penney closing a number of stores after January
Ethan Allen closing down 12 stores.
Wilson Leather closing down all stores
Sharper Image closing down all stores
K B Toys closing 356 stores
Dillard's to close some stores
Posted by Teach4Peace (anonymous) on November 23, 2008 at 6:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Good Post 2008! If you should receive a gift card or give one, PLEASE use it immediately. I am guilty because I hold on to them, thinking I don't want to use it until I really find something I want or to use when I have nothing else. Once these stores file bankruptcy or go under, they have NO legal obligation to redeem the gift cards nor allow them to be used.
Posted by notfromnatchez (anonymous) on November 23, 2008 at 10:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Who are the Omish?
Posted by mslugirl (anonymous) on November 23, 2008 at 10:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Amish
Posted by time4change (anonymous) on November 23, 2008 at 10:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Don't forget about Dirt Cheap, they have some good buys sometimes. You just have to hunt and pick thru the messy aisles. Last Thursday they had all sorts of things.
As far as gift cards go...you can give a WalMart gift card, since those stores are everywhere, and more than likely will hang in there for a while longer. And you can always give a prepaid Visa that you can also purchase at WalMart. But in all reality, this would be a very good year to be generous with those in need if you can afford too.
Today I paid $1.69/gal for gas at Murphy Oil in Brookhaven and it sure felt good to fill up for $33. Cracker Barrell had their lovely Christmas items on sale for 40% off. Twilight was a very good movie, if you like vampires and romance, but it didn't come here.
I think the Amish are amazing people too dragonflyday, and once found some on google living in North Mississippi who make jellies and quilts to sell and you can just stop by to make a purchase. I agree they should do ok even if things get hard for all of the rest of us. We all got a small taste of bad during the last hurricane.
Posted by frogprincenessntz (anonymous) on November 24, 2008 at 12:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hardcorps...you can bet the trucking industry has not dropped the price for bringing the groceries in as diesel has not dropped much. The last time I looked, I did not notice canning facilities owned by the grocery family either. At least when you buy there, your money stays in the local economy much more so than at wally world. In case you are wondering, I have absolutely no connection to the store or family, but have seen outside trucking, ups, etc raise prices before because of fuel increases and they rarely drop them after the crisis.
Posted by elvisss (anonymous) on November 24, 2008 at 5:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The Amish shop at WalMart too.
Posted by frostyw47 (anonymous) on November 24, 2008 at 6:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The Amish have not let the money world effect them, they live like they have always done for years. So their life will not be effected like the rest of us. We are spoiled and we let ourselves get this way. When i was growing up, my mom shopped the cosignments shops sometimes and got some very good buys there. Of course i think the clothes were better then too, not like they are today. Maybe we all better take lessons from them, because i think unless we wake up. How many of us will be able to live like the days of old or the Amish
Posted by southernbelle (anonymous) on November 24, 2008 at 7:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This could be the start of really putting Christ back in Christmas . We really don't need to give so many expensive presents . Yes,they are nice to give and recieve but I can remember a lot of things I got when I was growing up but can't tell you what I got two years ago . When I was growing up we got one gift and it was usually something like a doll(I always wanted my brothers B B gun instead. Boys always got the most fun gifts) or if I was really lucky and it only happened once, a bike . But the excitement was there and it kept building all the way from Thanksgiving til Christmas Day . Things like hunting for the tree and seeing International Paper Co. Christmas lights all contributed. We did these things together as a family. In the process of trying to make each Christmas the best one yet,we have taken much of the joy out of Christmas . We expect too much . This year especially, we need to lower the material things in life expectations and focus on Jesus . He is the reason for the season ! Give your time and your hearts this year . Sometimes its a gift justing putting your arm around someone and saying"I love you".
Posted by Classylady (anonymous) on November 24, 2008 at 8:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Southernbelle,
AMEN!!!!!, Well said.
Posted by meluvcookies (anonymous) on November 24, 2008 at 9:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
southernbelle, you brought tears to my eyes! You are SO right. One thing that our family of four started a few years ago was to bake Jesus a Birthday cake complete with one candle, because He's the only ONE we need and He was God's ONLY son. We sing Happy Birthday to Him.. the whole works. Oh, and now we have grandkids and now we wait till we're altogether to celebrate his Birthday with our 'lil party.
Posted by notfromnatchez (anonymous) on November 24, 2008 at 9:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Presents are the REAL reason for the Season.
Posted by time4change (anonymous) on November 24, 2008 at 10:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hardcorps, maybe you are being too hard on the grocery store people. Before they can reduce their prices for us, the prices they pay for what they offer must be reduced, and that would have to go all the way back to the farmer, who is also struggling, and the truckers who are probably still in debt from previous high gas prices. So it may take a little while before the local grocer can reduce all of his prices as result of the trickle down effect from the lower gas. But I did notice that milk was lower per gal last time I shopped. So try not to be so judgemental of the local grocer when you see him at church, or speaking on a religious topic, or whatever it was that rubbed you the wrong way...tincture of time, baby steps, etc and all that, but just think positive that things are gonna get better.
Oh btw, if you would save those stamps the local markets give out and fill up one of those books they provide, you can get $5 per book taken off of your groceries when you shop. I got $15 taken off of my groceries the other day at one of the market stores.
Posted by time4change (anonymous) on November 24, 2008 at 10:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Remember to ask for a gift receipt which makes it much easier for the receipient of your gift to return it if it's the wrong size, etc. Last year I had to write several mean notes after Christmas, but writing the notes paid off in some cases. IE: towels I purchased at one of the local better stores were returned and the store wanted to give them much less than I had paid. Knowing that I had paid much more than that, the person phoned me and we were able to work something out. Jeans I had purchased for another family member were too large and when I returned them, they didn't want to give me what I had paid because I had lost the receipt. None of the jeans they had in the store were as low as the price they wanted to give me and all I wanted to do was exchange them for a smaller size. The note I wrote in that case paid off as I was asked to bring them into the store and the manager met me for the exchange. Sometimes it just makes better sense to give cash or a gift card; less hassle anyway.
Posted by time4change (anonymous) on November 24, 2008 at 10:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
notfromnatchez, what do you want for Christmas? Something like a new Chuck Norris GI Joe doll, some little plastic guns, bazookas, and a toy jeep for him to ride around in? LOL, I haven't read any of your Chuck Norris jokes lately. Hey listen, you should watch that movie "Iron Man", he makes Chuck Norris and the whole military look weak. A couple of boys in armor like that and they could wrap it all up an bring them all home in time for Christmas. Cheers dude.
Posted by pedro (anonymous) on November 24, 2008 at 1:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I have been against adults receiving dozens and buying dozens of gifts for other adults for years. We just need to remember who's birthday it really is and give accordingly. I could not tell you what I got last year but I can tell you I got a bike when I was 6 and my first BB gun at 7 and I'm 50 yrs old. I think it's crazy the way some buy all that stuff that no one ever uses.
Posted by natchezrepublican (anonymous) on November 24, 2008 at 5:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Many people forget the true meaning of Christmas...giving! Not always gifts or things, but giving love or a hello to a stranger, just to brighten their day. I know it sounds stupid, but the only thing I want for Christmas is to wake up healthy and be surrounded by friends and family during the holiday season. May God bless you all!!!
Posted by presby (anonymous) on November 24, 2008 at 8:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The greatest gift we can give to others is such a simple thing as a hug and a Smile.
Posted by presby (anonymous) on November 24, 2008 at 8:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I don,t mean it in a bad way and don,t want to wish any one a bad christmas,but it would do all of us good to do without for a while.It makes us appreciate each other more and remember back when a small gift was a big one to us and it meant a lot then. We didn,t have Christmas all year long like people do now. I,m as guilty as a lot of folks,Sometimes we spoil the ones we love too much and i,ve been spoiled much more than them. So maybe not having much but knowing your kids and loved ones are well and safe,living in a free world and having freinds you can call at 300am are the most important things. That is priceless,You can,t buy that it,s not for sale at any price.
Posted by homegrown (anonymous) on December 14, 2008 at 9:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
southern lady 1776, wrote a book, presby, kept it short. we don't have to spend money for christmas. it a birthday show love and friendship one to another.
Posted by time4change (anonymous) on December 21, 2008 at 10:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
presby I think we should all purchase a t-shirt that says FREE HUGS and go hang out at the mall with a smile on our face.
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