Recession Briefing 12.18: Christmas Wallets Opening Up

What you need to know today to survive and thrive in the recession.

The average amount of money Americans predict they will spend on Christmas gifts this season is now $743, up from last month’s estimate and a healthy increase over Americans’ Christmas spending forecast at this time a year ago. (Gallup)

Are you wondering why you’re not getting as many holiday cards this year? The U.S. Postal Service says there was an 11% decline in cancellations of first-class cards and letters from Dec. 1-13 — when most Americans mail holiday cards — compared to 2008. (USA Today)

About 1.7 million homeowners were on the verge of foreclosure in the fall, a looming “shadow inventory” of homes that will be put up for sale in the coming years and weigh down prices, a report said. (Associated Press)…

Tips for Holiday Tipping

recession is a great excuse for cutting back on your spending—be it the amount you pay for a pair of shoes or the number of nights you’ll go out to expensive dinners each week. But try blaming the recession for your slimmer-than-usual tips. People are generally okay when others spend less on themselves, but they’re less forgiving when it comes to penny-pinching on gratuities—especially during the holiday season.

Not that they’re not cutting back on tipping themselves. A recent report released by PayScale found that hourly gratuities dropped an average of 5 percent in 2009 from the year before. Meanwhile, other surveys have shown that up to 26 percent of Americans plan on spending less on holiday tips this year. Only 6 percent plan on spending more…

All They Want for Christmas

The Black Friday shopping rush may be over, but if you’re like millions of people you’re probably still struggling with what to get the most difficult friends and family members in your life—your hippie aunt, your banker brother, your unemployed best friend. Choosing the right gift can be tricky business. Spend too much, and you’re flaunting your wealth. Spend too little, and you’re seen as cheap.

As you enter the home stretch of holiday shopping, let the recession be your guide: Recession-themed gifts are cheap (we’re still in an economic downturn, after all), they’re timely (what better exemplifies 2009 than the recession?), and they’re usually good for at least a chuckle—just so long as you have a little fun with it. After the jump, we’ve put together a roundup of our favorite cheap, chic, gift-giving strategies perfect for this holiday season…

A Slimmed-Down Christmas — But Will It Last?

The chestnuts will still roast; Santa Claus will be just as jolly as ever—but there’s little doubt that the holiday season is different this year. From smaller Christmas trees and fewer extravagant gifts, to an increase emphasis on homemade foods and decorations, millions of families across the country are cutting back on expenses without sacrificing the holiday spirit this year.

It’s too soon to tell whether these back-to-basics holiday rituals will turn into lasting traditions or whether they’re just passing trends that’ll be gone as soon as the economy heats up again. In the meantime, we’ve put together a roundup of what’s different this holiday season.
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The New Rules for the Recession Holidays

Tight times have brought out our ingenuity in spending and this second holiday season of the downturn is no different. We rounded up a few of our favorite new rules for surviving the holidays:

* Regift. It’s both budget-friendly and good for the environment: Recycle those unwanted yet still brand-new socks, wine bags, candy dishes, etc. “Regifting” – the act of giving someone a gift that you had received – is growing fashionable. A poll by Consumer Reports found that 36% of U.S. adults said they would recycle a gift this year, compared with 31% last year and 24% in 2007.

* Group-give. First, pare your list to its essentials, then find a buddy or two to go in on gifts for those on your list. This tip comes from Jack Chary, who also recommends starting a Christmas savings account in the future. Good thinking…

Looking for Holiday Savings? Try Pop-Ups

Throughout 2009, malls across the country have been battered by the downturn, struggling to stay afloat amidst a record number of store closures and a high rate of retail vacancies. Now that the holiday season is nearing, though, those same vacancies are turning out to be a benefit for some retail companies. Loosened lease terms and lowered rental rates on retail spaces have created a perfect storm for a myriad of companies planning to open temporary “pop up” stores this holiday season…