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Red Deerians spending less over the holidays

With the current state of the economy, it may not be surprising that Red Deerians are spending less money over the holidays.
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Jesse Boyko samples some tea offered up by Davids Tea employee Shelby Lee at the Bower Place location on Dec. 23, one of the busiest shopping days of the year. (Photo by JEFF STOKOE/Advocate staff)

With the current state of the economy, it may not be surprising that Red Deerians are spending less money over the holidays.

What people seem to be cutting back on the most, are Christmas presents.

“We’ve cut back a little bit and haven’t bought as many little things this year. We got each kid a big thing and some stocking stuffers, but we didn’t spend as much as we could have,” said Red Deer resident Donna Thompson.

Blackfalds resident Shannon Newton was laid off earlier this year, so she had to get creative in planning for Christmas.

“I pre-planned this year and started my shopping in September. I’ve still been able to afford Christmas, but I’ve been doing a little less,” said Newton.

Newton said she has spent less money on food this year to help save money.

Rob Distl, of Red Deer, said he’s made less holiday purchases this year and said he has felt the weight of the economy.

“I’ve slowed down with with my spending. I defiantly started to pinch pennies a bit more and save. I spend more money on necessities versus on things I want,” said Distl.

Red Deer’s Danielle Towne was a little late getting her shopping done this year. She said she spent more money last year than she did this year.

“I was laid off at the end of July so I’ve been a little more fiscally responsible,” said Towne.

“I’ve been buying less gifts this year than I did last year.”

Depending on what type of work a person does, the slow economy has impacted people differently.

Scott Blanchard, a registered nurse who lives in Calgary, is spending the holidays in Red Deer with his family.

“It hasn’t affected the way I spend money, but our family does things differently now,” said Blanchard.

“We don’t buy for everybody anymore. We just draw one name for the adults and buy gifts for the kid.”

jonathan.guignard@www.reddeeradvocate.com