Income rates and spending both rose nationwide in November, helping to bolster the shaky economy, though some local shoppers say their holiday shopping is going from frivolous to practical.
"Every penny helps. I would rather get people things that I know they can use, instead of stuff that I know they're not going to use," Becky Kilmer, a Carousel Center shopper, said Wednesday. Kilmer says she has been buying clothes and housewares as gifts, rather than larger-ticket items. "I found myself using coupons if I had coupons this year, so that helped out a lot," she said.
Christy McGarry, another Carousel shopper, says she's always been a prudent shopper, but knew she was buying much less expensive gifts this year. "We always have been on a budget, spending a certain amount. Clothes we might need for the coming year, pajamas -- things that are needed anyway," she said. "For some people, it's gift cards because they need money right now, so it might be a Wegmans gift card or something like that."
JC Penney's Mike Falteisek says the clothing departments have been a bustle of activity, bringing holiday gifts back to basics.
As the adults shopping lists are changing, some children's wish lists continue to surprise adults, as well. We talked to ‘Santa Claus’, who was at Carousel Center, and he said kids are still looking for the typical toys and pets, but some have more surprising wishes. "I've noticed the kids only ask for one or two things. They don't have long lists," Santa said. "A few have asked for world peace and a few have asked to make sure I give things to kids who don't have lots of toys."
