Categories: Christmas presents, Hanukkah gift, holiday gifts, Christmas gifts, holiday gift

As the country faces a weakened housing market, a credit deficit and the escalating prices of fuel, holiday spending appears pretty dismal this Christmas holiday season. According to the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), consumers are forecast to dole out more than a thousand dollars on the following holiday seasonal expenses:

• Decorations and household accessories

• Entertainment and entertaining

• Gifts, presents and gift cards

• Travel accommodations

For the financially strapped consumer, holiday shopping means finding deals, bargains and more value for the money. But when consumers were polled regarding their best Christmas and Hanukkah gifts, the following holiday presents topped the list this season:

• CDs and DVDs (62 percent) 

• Clothes (69 percent) 

• Gift cards (61 percent)

In a survey released by Consumer Reports, another 17 percent plan to purchase a flat panel tv this year. Almost 70 percent of holiday shoppers will turn to the Internet for their purchases. However, the consumer reporting publication predicts that only 40 percent of those holiday customers will complete their online shopping transactions.

Other related articles:  Consumer Intelligence: Christmas Gift Card

By Holly Bentz (c) 2007 fruitionMedia >>