Will it be a dark Christmas?

[ElfBot]

There are more ominous signs for a dreary holiday season in 2008. Sources within the Christmas light industry say that shipments of new-technology Christmas LED lights are down in the months of June and July, bucking the trend of a surging upswing over the past 18 months in the category. Some speculate that previous hot [...]http://feeds.feedburner.com/~a/christmasheadlines?i=NWavNw</img> (http://feeds.feedburner.com/~a/christmasheadlines?a=NWavNw)


More from Christmas Newswire.com... (http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/christmasheadlines/~3/360423826/)

[JanaBanana]

Im beginning to wonder??

[Mumof2]

I still see alot of people buying for christmas,no matter what.

[JanaBanana]

I know we are still buying for Christmas, like before pretty much.... but I think they meant people stringing up lights?

[Mumof2]

Page wont load cant read it,but Im still thinking people will buy lights,just maybe later than usual?

[trackrebel]

maybe peop&#223;le bought so much the last 18 months...they don&#180;t need new stuff now? Or they still light up their houses....just won&#180;t buy new lights cos of the financial situation?

[Ms_Speedy_Elf]

People aren't wanting to buy LED light's as they are higher than the regular light's .

Doesn't seem to be stopping the people on another Christmas forum I'm on . It is for those who go all out on decorating with light's outside .With the big fancy display's set to music .

[SparkleNana]

i am worried about Christmas lights, too. I think that houses which are in foreclosure will not have Christmas lights. And that is what - 3 million houses already this year?

Also, houses where people have lost their jobs probably won't have Christmas lights. And that is currently 800,000 receiving unemployment insurance? That doesn't count those who lost their jobs and ran out of unemployment insurance. Or lost their jobs - and had to take low-paying jobs. Or lost their jobs with health insurance - and now have to pay for health insurance out of pocket. (Average cost is $12,000 a year when the employer doesn't provide insurance.) Those families may not turn on Christmas lights this year.

Families whose children cannot get student loans may not turn on the Christmas lights (and that is lots of families). I won't go on. But all the experts are saying we are beginning the hardest time for working families since the great Depression.

If families have to chose between presents for their children - or big electric bills - the lights may not go on.

[trackrebel]

very well written post....and I think very chose to the truth....but in the end....As long as people have the Christmas Lights in their hearts...it doesn&#180;t matter when they don&#180;t show the lights on their houses.

[irishsnow]

I haven't bought any this year but I will get round to it soon.

Putting lights up has only really started over here in the last few years so this year I expect to see alot more up

[trackrebel]

I would do it, too....but electricity costs are so high over here......I can&#180;t really afford to lite up the whole house....so we settle with putting lights in the windows and on the tree

[Lorn--xx]

it wouldnt be the same without lights and things x

Yes the electricity is to high but isnt everything... and its not for a huge period of time... its not like its all year ... xxxxx

christmas wont be as beautiful without all the gorgeous lights xxxxx

[kelly ann]

In my street alone last year, I think I counted (including myself) about 6 houses that actually had lights outside.

[trackrebel]

cool

[kelly ann]

Trackrebel, I dont know if you were referring to my post when you said 'cool', but 6 houses amongst hundreds is pretty rubbish!! My area needs some Christmas Spirit!!

[almcg]

The last estate I lived in there was just us and another family doing outside lights. I was so pleased last year when nearly every house in our new estate had outdoor lights. I felt like I'd finally come home!cheesy Last year around 100 of my tree lights finally died so I have to buy more this year. Everyone said my tree looked fine but it wasn't the same to me. So I'm currently pricing different sets of lights.