People spending more on gifts this year

[vraiblonde]

The radio news person said so. On average an extra $10 over last year.

Well, yeah, because stuff is more expensive.

She said it like it was good news - yay economy! People are spending more! But $10 tells me people may be spending more but they're buying less. The $10 is average per shopper, so the wealthy and upper middles are spending significantly more than that because they can, which means middles and poors are spending less.

And how do they get these figures anyway? She specified "gifts", not stuff in general. How do they know the shirt I bought is a gift and not for myself? If I buy myself a shirt is that considered a gift? Do they ask people - "How much are you spending on Christmas this year?"

Does anyone understand this and wants to explain it to me? Or is it just more bullshit that I should make a face at and move on?

 

[Kyle]

I got everyone a Jelly of the Month Club membership.

 

[SamSpade]

And how do they get these figures anyway? She specified "gifts", not stuff in general. How do they know the shirt I bought is a gift and not for myself? If I buy myself a shirt is that considered a gift? Do they ask people - "How much are you spending on Christmas this year?"

It's fairly complex. I talk with the statisticians (I just program their models). Bear in mind, WHEN they do this, they are sampling, not measuring the sale of every item in the country. But they gather a lot of stuff, and build their models.

They look at overall consumer spending. They gather data on online spending; gift cards; traditionally popular venues for holiday spending; items designated as gifts already; wrapping paper and the like. Trends and patterns over the years. The final model contains a helluva lotta elements.

I know what most people think of OPINION polling and I agree. OPINION polling is fraught with errors that other statistics don't have to worry about - like hangup - people LYING - people changing their mind. It IS VASTLY different from something I might compute, such as what next year's insurance premiums might be. And that ain't easy.

I don't know that ten bucks means a damned thing. I would absolutely guess it is within the margin of error and therefore, meaningless.

ON THE OTHER HAND -

Most people I know, myself included are looking at slightly larger Christmas bonuses. I don't know if those figure in.

 

[herb749]

The radio news person said so. On average an extra $10 over last year.

Well, yeah, because stuff is more expensive.

She said it like it was good news - yay economy! People are spending more! But $10 tells me people may be spending more but they're buying less. The $10 is average per shopper, so the wealthy and upper middles are spending significantly more than that because they can, which means middles and poors are spending less.

And how do they get these figures anyway? She specified "gifts", not stuff in general. How do they know the shirt I bought is a gift and not for myself? If I buy myself a shirt is that considered a gift? Do they ask people - "How much are you spending on Christmas this year?"

Does anyone understand this and wants to explain it to me? Or is it just more bullshit that I should make a face at and move on?

Its BS. Just like the travel numbers mean the economy is great.

 

[Clem72]

And how do they get these figures anyway? She specified "gifts", not stuff in general. How do they know the shirt I bought is a gift and not for myself? If I buy myself a shirt is that considered a gift? Do they ask people - "How much are you spending on Christmas this year?"

That's exactly what they do, they survey people and ask how many people they buy for and how much they spent.

 

[OccamsRazor]

The American people: "Inflation is SO high! This is unsustainable! EVERYTHING is so EXPENSIVE!!"
Also The American People: "Lets spend 41B dollars for Christmas this year... Yay!!"

 

[Kyle]

The American people: "Inflation is SO high! This is unsustainable! EVERYTHING is so EXPENSIVE!!"
Also The American People: "Lets spend 41B dollars for Christmas this year... Yay!!"

People love their credit cards

 

[vraiblonde]

The American people: "Inflation is SO high! This is unsustainable! EVERYTHING is so EXPENSIVE!!"
Also The American People: "Lets spend 41B dollars for Christmas this year... Yay!!"

So you think people for whom money is tight shouldn't buy Christmas presents for their kids? Or is it you think some person struggling on $40k/yr is spending a million $$ for presents?

Do you understand how stupid that statement was, or shall I go on?

 

[stgislander]

I got everyone a Jelly of the Month Club membership.

Kyle, that's the gift that keeps on giving the whole year.

 

[Kyle]

Kyle, that's the gift that keeps on giving the whole year.

Some gifts last forever.

 

[OccamsRazor]

So you think people for whom money is tight shouldn't buy Christmas presents for their kids? Or is it you think some person struggling on $40k/yr is spending a million $$ for presents?

Do you understand how stupid that statement was, or shall I go on?

So you don't understand that apparently this country is suffering from crushing inflation and debt YET, we are still setting record highs for spending for the Christmas season?

Do you NOT understand the point of my post, or shall I go on?

 

[PeoplesElbow]

I got everyone a Jelly of the Month Club membership.

"That gift that keeps giving all year long". -cousin Eddie

 

[vraiblonde]

So you don't understand that apparently this country is suffering from crushing inflation and debt YET, we are still setting record highs for spending for the Christmas season?

Do you NOT understand the point of my post, or shall I go on?

If the point of your post is that stuff is more expensive and that $10 actually means people may be spending more but are buying less, then yes I understand.

Or is the point of your post that the $10pp is on average, meaning middle to lower incomes aren't spending more at all?

It's like saying, "Oh good news for the economy! People are spending more on gas!" Well....yeah....that's what happens when gas almost doubles in price.

 

[phreddyp]

Dump your girlfriend before Christmas, make up after Valentines day. Works everytime!

 

[Czar]

Its BS. Just like the travel numbers mean the economy is great.

Plenty of food stamps used in Florida theme parks to buy those big turkey legs.

How great of a country is America? You cam be poor, obese, and get free food while vacationing in an expensive theme park!

 

[LightRoasted]

For your consideration ...


People should shop for gifts at thrift shops. Plenty of excellent items in good condition that can be had on the very cheap. Just box them, such an in a used Amazon box and wrap, or just wrap without a box.

 

[stgislander]

For your consideration ...


People should shop for gifts at thrift shops. Plenty of excellent items in good condition that can be had on the very cheap. Just box them, such an in a used Amazon box and wrap, or just wrap without a box.

Where do you think my wife buys my clothes from. Gilligan doesn't pay enough to have new clothes.

 

[black dog]

I got everyone a Jelly of the Month Club membership.

I bet the guys were impressed.




Edit,
Sorry Kyle, STG err Bill put me up to it.

 

[vraiblonde]

Where do you think my wife buys my clothes from.

I'm a big fan of recycling. I wouldn't get someone else a used gift, but I buy a lot of my own stuff from thrift stores.

 

[OccamsRazor]

If the point of your post is that stuff is more expensive and that $10 actually means people may be spending more but are buying less, then yes I understand.

Or is the point of your post that the $10pp is on average, meaning middle to lower incomes aren't spending more at all?

It's like saying, "Oh good news for the economy! People are spending more on gas!" Well....yeah....that's what happens when gas almost doubles in price.

No. Its like saying EXACTLY what I initially posted.

70%+ of this country lists Inflation and the Economy of this country as their primary concern right now. How do they address these woes?
By spending more than ever!
My point being... is Inflation REALLY impacting people as much as they say? Because the numbers don't seem to prove this.