Consumer Reports Poll: 65 Percent of Consumers Expect to Cut Back on Holiday Spending

/PRNewswire/ -- The effects of ongoing economic turbulence continue to weigh heavily on the pocketbooks and minds of shoppers as the 2009 holiday season approaches. According to a new Consumer Reports Holiday Shopping Poll, 65 percent of Americans plan to cut back on overall holiday expenses such as gifts, travel, and entertaining. The full results of this latest poll are available at www.ConsumerReports.org.

The anticipated decrease in spending comes on top of already dramatic cutbacks that occurred last year. In the 2008 Consumer Reports Holiday Shopping Poll, 76 percent of those surveyed said they were scaling back on holiday spending.

The projected decrease in spending is likely to be felt in almost every category. Those surveyed said they're cutting back on purchases of clothing and electronics (still the biggest seasonal gift categories), as well as other items such as gift cards, monetary presents, and jewelry.

Consistent with 2008's findings, Consumer Reports Holiday Shopping Poll also found that some consumers are still saddled with leftover holiday debt. Six percent of Americans--some 13.5 million consumers--continue to carry debt from last winter's holiday season.

"This year, it all comes down to value and getting the best bang for your shopping dollar," said Tod Marks, Consumer Reports senior editor and resident shopping expert. "We've already seen aggressive discounts that make it seem more like November 28 rather than October 28, but retailers are getting more sophisticated about targeting their promotions to their best customers."

Additional findings from the Consumer Reports Holiday Shopping Poll include:

The Gift List: Who's In? Who's Out?

-- Among consumers scaling back on gifts, most (78%) were willing to cut
back on buying for themselves, followed by friends and their families,
other family members, coworkers, and service providers like delivery
personnel and fitness trainers. Among those most likely to be spared
from the budgetary axe: Grandparents, grandchildren, kids under 18,
and the family pet.

A Few Favorite Things

-- Despite the gloomy outlook sales of certain products - notably
desktop, laptop, and netbook computers, cell phones and smart phones,
video game systems, and GPS systems - are expected to at least hold
their own, according to our poll.

Hitting the Stores
-- Similar to the past two holiday shopping seasons, the 2009 holiday
shopping season has begun with about a third of consumers reporting
that they have started their shopping as of mid-October.

-- Only about half (46%) of consumers anticipate they will be done buying
gifts by the second week in December. Approximately 18 percent say
they will push their holiday shopping right up to December 24th. About
4 percent of consumers don't plan to complete their shopping until
after the holidays.

Sticking to a Budget or Not?

-- This year, half (50%) of Americans will be making a budget for their
holiday purchases, yet sticking to it is bound to be a challenge. Of
the 38 percent of consumers who made a budget last year, 44 percent
reported that they exceeded it; five percent said they went way over
budget.

Most (& Least) Wanted Gifts
-- Clothing remains the biggest category, and 52 percent of consumers
plan to give apparel as a gift. But you might want to choose
carefully. Thirty-seven percent of recipients - particularly men -
cited clothes as their biggest gift disappointment of 2008. Socks were
still the single most hated item, but shirts, sweaters, slippers, and
ties, made the list, too.
-- Electronics gear also ranks among the most desirable gifts for both
men and women, and 51 percent of respondents plan on giving recipients
items such as video games or accessories, digital cameras, headphones,
or other gadgets.
-- Other gifts consumers plan on giving this season include gift cards
(46%), followed by money (44%), toys (42%), DVDs (31%), food or wine
(28%), jewelry (26%) and pet toys (19%).

Especially For You?

-- Tis' the season to give and receive and to re-gift what you've
received. According to the poll, 36 percent of adults have given a
gift they have received from someone else to another person as a
holiday gift. That's up from 31 percent in 2008.

The Perils of Gift Cards
-- Despite their drawbacks - fees, expiration dates, and the like - many
people plan on buying gift cards (46%) and many want them (15%) as
well. During the 2008 holidays, about half of adults received a gift
card, but one in four hadn't redeemed at least one of the cards as of
this month.
-- Sixty-five percent of adults who received a gift card in 2008
typically spend more than the value of the card, up from 58 percent in
2007. Forty-one percent of those who have unused gift cards from last
year said that they hadn't found anything they wanted to buy. This
year, lack of time was less of a factor in not redeeming gift cards;
only 37 percent of respondents reporting that they hadn't had time to
redeem their cards, down from 54 percent last year.

Happy Holidays

-- Despite continued cutbacks, a majority (87%) of adults remain hopeful
that their holiday season will be as happy or even happier than last
year.

Consumer Reports Holiday Shopping Poll Methodology

The Consumer Reports National Research Center conducted a telephone survey of a nationally representative probability sample of telephone households. 1,000 interviews were completed among adults aged 18+. Interviewing took place over October 15-18, 2009. The margin of error is +/- 3% points at a 95% confidence level.

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page

Give the Gift of Good Manners

/PRNewswire/ -- The holidays this year are all about getting back to basics: Appreciating quality time with friends and family, enjoying home-cooked holiday meals, and pampering ourselves in small ways when the going gets tough.

With the extra stress of the economy affecting just about everyone, etiquette guru Peggy Post of the Emily Post Institute suggests we add one more "basic" to our holiday to-do lists: Treat those around you with courtesy and respect-from your closest friends and relatives to the check-out clerk at the grocery store.

"Many of us can be a little on edge during the holidays, and this is going to be especially true this year," says Post. "Giving the gift of respect has a lasting and positive effect on both the giver and the receiver, and that's something that can't be underestimated at a time of year when we can all use a little extra courtesy."

Whether you are visiting someone else's home or inviting others into yours, remember the following holiday etiquette tips in the coming weeks:

For hosts:

-- Decorate-even in the bathroom! A recent study by the maker of Quilted Northern Bath Tissue found that most of us love to decorate our homes for the holidays-including 40% of us who deck out the bathroom!(1) "Decorative towels or scented candles can add the holiday spirit to the occasion, even in the bathroom. And don't forget the quality premium bath tissue, which communicates that you care about the comfort of your guests."

-- Extend the invitation at least a month in advance, longer for those who might be traveling. "If you're inviting out-of-town guests, set a beginning and an end for the visit. Three days is usually the optimum."

-- If a guest asks to bring along a friend, try to make it work. "The more the merrier! Extend the invitation to as many as can you can fit around the table or in your home."

-- Assign tasks, including greeters, hors d'ouevres passers, 'bar tenders', 'circulators and introducers,' servers. "Even though most guests may be family members, give them the red carpet treatment!"

-- Turn off the TV during the meal or party. Focus your attention where it belongs -- on the lovingly prepared food, your family and your friends. "When the dishes are done, everyone can enjoy the games or holiday specials on television(or the chat in the other room!)"

For guests:

-- Let your host know right away if you can come or not. "Don't wait until the day before to RSVP, and avoid showing up with uninvited guests. There is usually room for one more at the table, but discuss it with your host ahead of time."

-- Offer to contribute to the meal, especially in these economic times. Your best bet is to make your offer open-ended and follow your host's direction. "If you or someone in your party has special dietary needs, it is very gracious to offer to bring a dish that meets those needs."

-- All hosts love a surprise gift-including your mother and aunts. "It can be as simple as a bottle of wine or a scented candle; just don't show up empty handed."

-- Family or non-family, this is one day where it is a great idea to pitch in, even if it's just loading the dishwasher or packing up the leftovers. "If you make the offer to help and the host firmly declines, back off -- some people really don't want guests in their kitchen."

-- Say thank you. "A phone call or, better yet, a hand-written note of thanks to your hosts shows your appreciation for all their hard work."

For a chance to win a little plush for your friends and family, visit www.quiltednorthern.com .

(1) "Why Women Need Push" study conducted on behalf of Georgia-Pacific, maker of Quilted Northern

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
Community News You Can Use
Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page

Children Report Magic Elf Sightings Across the Country!

RJ Note: Santa's elves have been visiting my home in Fayette County for many years. It's always a treat to see when and where the little darlings will show up. Sometimes, it's in the tree, or in a plant, or on top of the furniture. We've even caught one taking a nap in a crystal dish! The magic of the holidays: The magic of love just warms the cockles of my heart.

/PRNewswire/ -- NORTH POLE -- Christmas just got a bit more exciting, this according to children across the country who, until recently, lived daily school-play-sleep routines until frisky Elf Magic elves began "magically" appearing within homes ready to fill their holiday seasons with adventure and love. Certain that the lively Elf visitors are the real thing -- boys and girls know to look for the snowflake over the heart of the authentic Elves, placed there by Santa himself -- Elf-spotting youngsters everywhere have been gleefully preparing family activities that accompany the Elves' visits to their favorite households.

"Every year, Santa finds it in his heart to let more and more of his spirited Elf friends visit families across the world, once they've finished their work at the North Pole -- bringing a genuine warmth and closeness within the home," says Piper Worthington, head elf of Elf Magic. "Easily enticed by crackers and water -- the crackers sound like crunching snow, and the water is melted North Pole Snowflakes, of course -- Elf Magic elves need no excuse to spend the holiday season creating memories with children. This year, in particular, many, many children wrote to Santa asking for a special Elf visitor to brighten their Christmas -- so it's no surprise the mischievous little Elves are magically appearing in record numbers."

Take for instance recent developments at the Weatherly home in Sandy Springs, Ga. Three days before Thanksgiving, everything was as it should be -- Jim, the father, was hard at work at his job as a Realtor. Kelly, the mother, tirelessly balanced the demands of piano lessons, tumbling classes and putting dinner on the table. And 7-year-old Abby rehearsed her lines as the Elf narrator of her school's Christmas play. This until Belle, a real Elf Magic elf sent in response to 4-year-old Julia's heart-melting plea to Santa, arrived on Thanksgiving Day, rested and ready for an entire season's worth of play, learning and excitement. Part of the timeless Christmas tradition, Belle also arrived at the Weatherlys with North Pole Snowflakes, which the girls sprinkle on her nightly to bring the magic Elf to life for a night of adventures and mischief.

"Elf Magic elves are bearers of fantasy, affection and good cheer who, at times, we all wish we could be," Worthington says. "But don't let their charming adolescence fool you for a second. Once the lights go out for the night, these little guys and gals sometimes embark on several hours of daring Elfcapades and bold pranks. Yes, they're darling and mean so well, but to suggest that the Elves don't get bigger than their britches some nights would be a North Pole-sized stretch. To be honest, though, my family wouldn't have it any other way!"

Since the Elf Magic elves return to the North Pole on Christmas Eve with Santa, they rarely catch a wink of sleep plotting the next adventure or activity with their host family. This year, with children reporting sightings of the fanciful Elf visitors in more houses than ever before, families can expect a nonstop stream of laughter, festivity and -- yes, some mischief -- all of which work together to create memories that will last a lifetime.

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
Community News You Can Use
Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
www.artsacrossgeorgia.com
Arts Across Georgia

American Women Confident in the Face of Economic Gloom

RJ Note: Yep, its tough. Yep, we are spending less. Yep, we are confident. Yep, we are women! We've come a long way---

/PRNewswire/ -- Women are spending less on microwaves, gifts, hobbies, gourmet coffees, video games, and even organic foods than they did just two months ago. And with the holidays approaching, they are about to get stingier still. But despite this stark outlook, fully 95 percent of all American women feel they will "make it" through the recession and 64 percent feel 2009 will find them financially "better off." These are among the findings of a recent study conducted for Fleishman-Hillard International Communications by the Harrison Group.

In "Women, Power & Money - The Shift to the Female-Driven Economy," a survey of more than 1,600 women conducted initially in early September and again in early November 2008, women acknowledged being financially worse off than they were a year ago, but felt sure they would be able to manage. The study is a large-scale, nationally representative survey that codifies the power of women in the marketplace.

In the September study, 79 percent of women stated that their opinion determines family financial decisions, while 91 percent claim to be the manager of their family's quality of life. More than half pay the family bills and about half are the shared or primary breadwinners.

"It's clear from this research that we are now living in a 'mom-ocracy' -- women are setting the agenda," said Nancy Seliger, president, U.S. East region, at Fleishman-Hillard, the global communications firm that commissioned the study. "We believe the most successful marketers will address concerns of the spouse, the children, and even friends of women. When these individuals are well informed, it is easier for women to build consensus within their families."

"These women hold the consumer economy in their hands," said Jim Taylor, Ph.D., vice chairman of the Harrison Group, a marketing and research consulting firm. "Their decisions over the next year will determine the economic health of the country."

The study also examined how women make decisions. For instance, women rank both "articles in magazines and newspapers" and "expert recommendations" as more influential than advertising. Moreover, even as the contemporary American woman controls a greater share than ever of household spending, she leads more by consensus than by decree.

Regarding the near-term economy, the study revealed much more about American women:

-- 79 percent plan to cut back on gift-giving this holiday season
-- 56 percent are spending less than last year eating out
-- 51 percent are spending less than last year on toys and games
-- 49 percent are spending less in November than in September on
entertainment
-- 50 percent are spending less in November than in September on shoes,
handbags, and accessories
-- 86 percent are delaying purchases until items go on sale

"Retailers may look at these numbers and cringe," said Seliger. "But family level cost controls give women confidence they will be able to manage through these tough times."

Women in the study acknowledged there will be some stress in charting their courses over the coming months, but they have strategies in place to cope with that as well. The majority plan to spend more time with friends and family, exercise and eat healthier.

The margin for error in the master survey is plus or minus 2 percent, and in the November survey the margin of error is plus or minus 4 percent.

---
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
Community News You Can Use
Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page

Mail Holiday Packages With Care

/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With 19 billion cards, letters and packages expected to be delivered this holiday season, the U.S. Postal Service has some tips to help get gifts to their destination swiftly and safely.

"The Postal Service is making it easier to ship packages to family and friends this season," says Deputy Postmaster General and Chief Operating Officer Patrick R. Donahoe. "Proper addressing and proper packaging will help us give every gift the service it deserves."

The Postal Service offers free, environmentally friendly Priority Mail and Express Mail boxes and envelopes. These supplies can be ordered at usps.com or picked up at a local Post Office.

"The best shipping value may be our Priority Mail Flat-Rate boxes," says Donahoe. "No calculating of postage or weighing is needed. If it fits, it ships."

The Postal Service also offers pre-packaged shipping products, READY POST, sold at local Post Offices for customers needing sturdy, secure boxes and envelopes.

"Save money on Priority and Express Mail prices when you mail online with Click-N-Ship," adds Donahoe. "The more you ship, the more you save. And when a package is ready to be shipped, log on to usps.com/pickup to schedule free package pickup from home or office. Skip the trip and do all of your shipping online."

Helpful packaging tips:

-- Make sure packages are able to withstand processing without the
contents or packaging breaking.
-- Cushion items with bubble wrap, newspaper, or "foam peanuts" so they
do not shift during transit.
-- Wrap each item separately when packing more than one item in the same
box.
-- Remove batteries from electronic devices and wrap separately.
-- Close and shake the box to see if there is enough cushioning. If items
are shifting, add more cushioning.
-- Mark packages "Fragile" in large print on the outside of the box when
shipping materials that might be more likely to break.
-- When re-using a box make sure previous labels and markings are covered
before mailing.
-- Mark "Perishable" on packages that contain food or other items that
can spoil.
-- Place an extra address label with the delivery and return address
inside the package. This ensures the safe return of an item that could
not be delivered should the outside label become damaged or fall off.
-- Always use tape designed for sealing shipping boxes. Do not use
string, cellophane and masking tape to seal packages.
-- Packages can weigh up to 70 lbs. and measure up to 130 inches in
combined length and width. Make sure the width is measured around the
largest point of the package.


Guidelines for addressing envelopes and packages:

-- Print complete address clearly.
-- A complete address includes:
-- the recipient's name
-- Post Office Box or street number
-- street name
-- suffix (Ave., St., etc.)
-- directional (N, S, E, W)
-- secondary address (apartment or suite number)
-- city, state and 5-digit ZIP Code
-- For example: 123 S. Main St. Apt 4, Washington, DC 20001
-- Use the proper ZIP Code. ZIP Codes can be found at usps.com or by
calling 1-800-ASK-USPS.
-- Print the delivery and return addresses on the same side of the
envelope or package.
-- Always use a return address. It tells the Postal Service where to
return mail if it cannot be delivered.


The Postal Service recommends the following mail-by dates to ensure your gift arrives on time:

Dec. 4 -- Military mail destined for Iraq or Afghanistan
Dec. 11 -- Military mail for other overseas bases
Dec. 16 -- Parcel Post, the most economical shipping service
Dec. 20 -- First-Class Mail
Dec. 20 -- Priority Mail
Dec. 23 -- Express Mail


Due to security requirements, packages bearing postage stamps that weigh more than 13 ounces must be presented to a letter carrier or retail associate at the Post Office and cannot be dropped in blue collection boxes.

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page

Troops Need Support Now More Than Ever

RJ Note: It's great to remember our armed forces who are willing to lay down their lives for our freedom.

PRNewswire/ -- Many groups and organizations hoping to do something for the troops this holiday season are turning to online troop support provider Treats for Troops (http://www.treatsfortroops.com/) to turn their plans into reality.

Treats for Troops provides the best solution for those in search of the best way to put funds raised for the troops to good use. The Group Gift Department has helped hundreds of companies, organizations, churches, schools and other groups and non-profits put smiles on the faces of thousands of soldiers.

Simply provide a budget, tell Treats for Troops what you'd like to accomplish, and they'll do the rest. A personal representative will make suggestions about what to choose, help you create a message to go with your gifts, and make sure you receive any thank you notes or e-mails sent by the soldiers who receive them.

The company's Denver warehouse is filled with holiday feasts, bright red stockings stuffed with cookies, candies and treats, electronic games, phone cards, and dozens of other packages, all ready to brighten a homesick soldier's holiday.

The tough economy has put a crimp in holiday support. Treats for Troops says the number of soldiers being sponsored through their Foster-A-Soldier program has fallen by nearly twenty-five percent from last year.

"I am heartsick thinking about the thousands of soldiers who have registered with our program in hopes of getting a package who may not get anything this holiday," says company founder Deborah Crane. "We've never had a year when every soldier didn't receive something. We are doing everything we can to reach out to companies, groups and organizations in time for the holidays," Crane continued.

Greg Ackerman, marketing manager for the Harris Jewelry chain, credited Treats for Troops with helping the company greatly improve their philanthropy program.

"We were looking for an easy way to send care packages to our troops; we donate to a lot of organizations, but we wanted to do something more personal that went directly and immediately to our troops in the field," said Ackerman. "Treats for Troops helped us reach three times as many soldiers as we'd hoped to. Both our employees and our customers are very excited to be part of this effort."

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page

Slumping Economy Shouldn't Mean a Gloomy Holiday for Troops: Troop Support Programs Deliver Holiday Cheer

PRNewswire/ -- Thousands of soldiers hoping to receive a holiday package from home may be disappointed this year.

Troops support programs report that fewer packages are being sent this year than ever before. Popular online package provider Treats for Troops (http://www.treatsfortroops.com/) says the number of soldiers being sponsored through their Foster-A-Soldier program has fallen by nearly twenty-five percent from last year.

"People are struggling to pay their bills and worried about making it a Merry Christmas for their own families," says TFT founder Deborah Crane. "But I am heartsick thinking about the thousands of soldiers who have registered with our program in hopes of getting a package who might not get anything through Treats for Troops this holiday.

"We've never had a year when every soldier registered didn't receive something. We are doing everything we can to reach out to companies, groups, organizations and people who care about our troops in hopes of getting more support in time for the holidays," Crane continued.

The company's Denver warehouse is filled with holiday feasts, bright red stockings stuffed with cookies, candies and treats, electronic games, phone cards, and dozens of other packages, all ready to brighten a homesick soldier's holiday.

Thousands of soldiers from every state and branch of service are registered with their Foster-A-Soldier Program. The company's selection process allows people to select a soldier to sponsor by home state, area of deployment, branch of service or gender.

Treats for Troops also has groups and units of all sizes registered for support. Their Group Gift Department will do all the work for anyone wanting to make supporting the troops a holiday project. They will even suggest items that particular soldiers or units need most and help sponsors create a personal message to go with each gift.

"Thank you so much for the package," wrote Army soldier John Vigil. "I only get mail every so often and it never feels good to be the guy who doesn't get anything. I really appreciate everything and will share with all my buddies here. It's really good to know that people still support the troops."

For information on how to send a holiday care package to the troops, visit http://www.treatsfortroops.com/.

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page