Holidays different this year?

[#1]

Looking back on the holiday it doesn’t feel like we made any major changes due to the economic uncertainty that surrounded us.  Not because we are immune or oblivious but because we have always tried to keep gifts reasonable (we draw names for the adults and have a $50 limit) and focus our time on being together since our family comes in from out of town.  There were a few subtle things we did do this year – we didn’t purchase any of the kids’ gifts until the week before Christmas & Hanukah which prevented us from over-purchasing for them.  We were also not as quick to eat out/take out as in years past so we had many more meals at home.    The one thing I noticed this year however was how much merchandise was left after Christmas.  The past couple of years we’ve been building our indoor/outdoor decorations with post-holiday sales and there have been slim pickings a couple days after Christmas.  Not so this year and while I was thrilled to be able to take advantage of some deeply discounted lights and ornaments I was also left with an eerie feeling by how much was on the shelves and hoping on the one hand that it was not a sign of things to come, and hoping on the other that perhaps it was a sign of a new sensibility?

Message Edited by Kate on 01-06-2009 10:33 AM

[#2]

The Holidays have pushed many Employees from every Convienant store through out the states to hire more Employees. For everyone to shop every Consuming Grocery Item, and it is real important for everyone here in the U.S. to stand firm and calm before someone gets hired. Right now, The Assistant Managers of the Association Rehabiliation programs are right now hiring People with Impaired Disabilties to get a job first. First I got layed off from Fred Meyer after New Years. I work there for 3 months from last year around October-December. Cause, Iam hoping if Safeway can do the same thing  for me to get hired, my Job Coach can get interviewed by the Human Resources Manager.   So, Keep me informed.