Crunch Time for Holiday Shoppers

Only four shopping days left

Tools

By Kate McPherson
Bio | Email

Story Created: Dec 20, 2011 at 9:47 AM AKDT

Story Updated: Dec 20, 2011 at 9:47 AM AKDT

It’s coming down to the wire for holiday shoppers. Stores and parking lots around Anchorage are getting more crowded by the minute as people try to find gifts for loved ones.

A recent report in The Economist predicts people living in the United States are second only to those living in Luxemburg, Europe, when it comes to the amount of money being spent on Christmas gifts this year.

That figure is $700.

There are still four full days to go before Christmas, but the mood of shoppers Monday was a little more serious as they try and find gifts for family and friends.

While some people leave shopping to the last minute because they’re too busy, others make Christmas shopping into a game.

And it’s crunch time for kids wanting Santa to see their wish lists.

It’s the fourth Christmas for fair trade store Grassroots, and staff there say consumer spending is around the same as last year.

Online shopping is becoming more popular, but the need to see before you buy is not going out of fashion. Online shopping is helping some local businesses expand throughout the state.

Some shoppers are spending a little less this year, but if you are having some financial problems, here’s a good tip – bring cash.

And remember, a great bargain may not be a great bargain if you’re paying with credit.

With four days to go before Christmas, good luck beating those crowds.

Other advice from debt reduction services for people wanting to stay within their budget: Do not take credit cards with a high limit out shopping with you, and make sure you write and check your family budget a couple times a month around the holiday season.

 

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 1000 Characters Left

KTVA CBS 11 | Anchorage, Alaska News and Weather and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.