Siena Poll: Holiday Spending Will Reflect Last Year

By Carlet Cleare

New York – The Siena Research Institute released at statewide survey Tuesday showing New Yorkers plan to spend the same amount of money for holiday shopping this year, as last year.

Dr. Don Levy is the director of the institute. He says consumer spending plans have stayed the same.

Levy says people are going to stretch their budgets as much as they can.

"They are going to be looking for bargains because they are keeping the same number of recipients on their list, they want to give those gifts to that same number of people," says Levy. "But they've got to go out there and find bargains"

Carrie Pierce of Rochester likes to get her holiday shopping done early. She says she keeps a close eye on how much she spends.

"I don't go crazy with who I buy for," Pierce says. "It's basically family and close friends, so I can spend a little bit more on them rather than buying for just everybody and everyone.

Pierce says she loves a good sale, and tries not to pay more than $50 for a gift.

Levy says three quarters of New Yorkers look forward to spending time with family and friends during the holiday season.