Sunday, December 14, 2008

It's Beginning to Look a lot like....A Recession

Here we are in the month of December, which has creeped up upon us rapidly. Normally a month of glitz, cheer, genorisity, and good spirit, I am finding that few people seem to be in a mood of celebration, at least here in southern California. Gone are the fancy houses with bright lights, the stores with streem-lines of decorations, and the streets lined with banners and other marks of the holiday season. Where I live, it has never really been a place where Hanukah is seen, at least on the streets, stores, or where, for that matter, but Christmas has always loomed larger than life. Is this just the new normal? The sign that our economy, our jobs, and our future are not secure? We are now more fearful than faithful, and that being said, we watch what we do, how we spend our money, and decorate.

Regardless, it is December, and I hope everyone of you has a happy holiday. May this be a time of strength, goodwill towards others, and celebration of ourselves, and our loved ones.

Thank you for your minds.

19 Comments:

Blogger Mr. Althouse said...

It's the same here in the Sacramento area. It just seems a little muted this year. Of course, I'm so buried in graduate studies I hardly pay attention to much outside of school anymore anyway. Still, the holidays are upon us, it is time to count our blessing and renew our hope for a turning of the tide. There is much to look forward to.

All the best to you and yours,

Mike

10:33 AM  
Blogger Fred said...

Happy holiday to you and yours, Barbara. I hope it's one filled with joy.

3:49 PM  
Blogger Trina said...

There are definitely far fewer decorated homes in my neighborhood this year. Of course, I also recently learned that my neighborhood has the highest rate of foreclosures in my state; so sadly, it doesn't shock me.

I also have two people near and dear to me who were laid off within the past week. One wasn't *totally* shocking (though it was still a punch in the stomach), but the other was out of the blue. My husband and I aren't frightened, but we are definitely feeling cautious.

And in a way, it almost feels like it would be foolhardy or callous to celebrate as we have in years past. It would be like drinking eggnog while America implodes (to paraphrase the infamous Nero trope).

We are still gifting, but we plan to spend our holidays with friends and family in ways that reinforce the meaning of our relationships, rather than just as occasions for exchanging tokens.

Happy holidays to you!

10:00 PM  
Blogger SusieQ said...

People are sending out fewer Christmas cards this year. I have noticed it and so have several other people I have talked to about it.

Happy Holidays to you!

9:12 PM  
Blogger BarbaraFromCalifornia said...

Good to 'see' you all.

Many blessings to you and your families, and wishing you a peaceful holiday season.

6:23 PM  
Blogger Lucy Stern said...

Have a Happy New Year Barbara....I don't think Texas has been affected the quite the same as California...The stores have been busy, lots of Christmas carols, and plenty of Christmas lights... I do think people were spending less money but the Christmas spirit is here

Here's hoping the you have a wonderful 2009.

11:33 PM  
Blogger Lucy Stern said...

Hey Barb, where are you?

6:42 PM  
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Does your silence mean you've stopped thinking, or stopped being on the verge, or started something too mysterious to blog about?

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Anonymous Andrea said...

Happy holiday!!
All the best to you and yours.

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