Staff Writer

ONEONTA — It won't be anything personal, but people may not be getting as many gifts from loved ones this Christmas.

Some area residents are saying a dismal economy could put a crimp in their holiday shopping plans.

"I've noticed a lot of prices have gone up, and I'd say it's going to cut back on how much people get from me," said Amanda Ventura of Oneonta.

A weak labor market, the threat of a war against Iraq and a prolonged decline in the stock market is dampening consumer confidence, if October's Consumer Confidence Index is any indication.

The index, based on a representative sample of 5,000 U.S. households, fell this week to its lowest level since 1993.

"I think people will probably get bigger things from me but a lot less of them," Ventura said of her holiday gift-giving plans.

E. Jean Shepard of Fly Creek said the rising price of gasoline and other necessities has put too much of a dent in her pocketbook to spend much on Christmas.

"It has definitely affected how I'm shopping," said Shepard, who noted that she is on a fixed income. "I give my kids $10 a piece for Christmas, which is all we can afford."

Mandy Richardson, manager of Fashion Bug at the Southside Mall, said the store's sales take on Nov. 29 — the day when the holiday shopping season officially begins, will tell all.

"We're hoping to judge everything by Black Friday," said Richardson, who noted that the store averages sales of about $10,000 on that day. "If we keep close to that, hopefully it will be steady the whole season. If we bomb, it means there won't be a good outlook."

On a somewhat promising note, Richardson said the store is doing better than it did at this time last year, when the economy was reeling from the aftermath of 9/11.

Not everyone plans to cut back in their quest for Christmas gifts.

"I don't think (the economy) has affected me," said Grace Perry, of Oneonta. "I've already started shopping."

Perry noted that her early-bird shopping ethic saves her from the potential financial crunch she could suffer if she waits until right before Christmas.

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Jill Fahy can be reached at jfahy@thedailystar.com or (607) 441-7221.