Sign of the (economic) times...

dizzyde · #1 12-23-2008, 02:52 PM

Interesting. For the last few years, we have had our main Christmas activities for my family on Christmas Eve.

My brother and sister and their families will then spend Christmas day with their spouses family. Since that just leaves myself, my daughter and my parents, we have started going to a nice restaurant on Christmas day, instead of cooking.

My dad just came in the office and told me that he has called all of the nicer places in town and none of them are opening for Christmas because of the economy. The only place open will be Denny's! (I think we will be eating at home, lol!) That is really amazing to me, these are very established restaurants, who have long histories of serving on holidays.

rgcraig · #2 12-23-2008, 02:54 PM

Well, one good thing is these people that usually work will be able to be with their families on Christmas. I can't imagine having to work on Christmas Day.

dizzyde · #3 12-23-2008, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgcraig

Well, one good thing is these people that usually work will be able to be with their families on Christmas. I can't imagine having to work on Christmas Day.

Yes, me too, but actually I imagine they are pretty disappointed. Those people make BANK on holidays!! We talked to our waiter last year, commiserating with him about having to work, but he said not to feel sorry for him, that they actually have to argue about who gets to work on Christmas!

StMark · #4 12-23-2008, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dizzyde

Interesting. For the last few years, we have had our main Christmas activities for my family on Christmas Eve.

My brother and sister and their families will then spend Christmas day with their spouses family. Since that just leaves myself, my daughter and my parents, we have started going to a nice restaurant on Christmas day, instead of cooking.

My dad just came in the office and told me that he has called all of the nicer places in town and none of them are opening for Christmas because of the economy. The only place open will be Denny's! (I think we will be eating at home, lol!) That is really amazing to me, these are very established restaurants, who have long histories of serving on holidays.

O boy! we were going to go out Cmas day too. I hate to hear this.

What places specifically did he try?

dizzyde · #5 12-23-2008, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StMark

O boy! we were going to go out Cmas day too. I hate to hear this.

What places specifically did he try?

Just local places, there is a really nice restaurant at the Sheraton hotel that we have gone to quite a few times for Christmas called the Bistro, Café Med which is a local Mediterranean style place. Even the Crystal Palace (Buck Owens place) is closed.

marthaolivia · #6 12-23-2008, 03:52 PM

Dizzy:
I wish you lived near here. The family members that live close by plus a few of their single friends will be coming by my house. You would certainly be welcome. Of course you would have to try the family tradition of having Georgia Style Brunswick Stew. It's a tradition that started with my Mom over 50 years ago and I continue it. We are also having baked ham and other side dishes and lots of cakes and pies. Wish you were here..

dizzyde · #7 12-23-2008, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marthaolivia

Dizzy:
I wish you lived near here. The family members that live close by plus a few of their single friends will be coming by my house. You would certainly be welcome. Of course you would have to try the family tradition of having Georgia Style Brunswick Stew. It's a tradition that started with my Mom over 50 years ago and I continue it. We are also having baked ham and other side dishes and lots of cakes and pies. Wish you were here..

Oh, you know that I would love to do that!! One of these days, it is going to happen!

That is if you don't move off to a foreign country before then! Of course, that would be cool too, I would love to go there also!!

Pressing-On · #8 12-23-2008, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dizzyde

Interesting. For the last few years, we have had our main Christmas activities for my family on Christmas Eve.

My brother and sister and their families will then spend Christmas day with their spouses family. Since that just leaves myself, my daughter and my parents, we have started going to a nice restaurant on Christmas day, instead of cooking.

My dad just came in the office and told me that he has called all of the nicer places in town and none of them are opening for Christmas because of the economy. The only place open will be Denny's! (I think we will be eating at home, lol!) That is really amazing to me, these are very established restaurants, who have long histories of serving on holidays.

Wow, that's really amazing! Nowadays people don't even know how to cook, so that has to be a major bummer!

My daughter's business is not getting the money she made last year. Her first week she was behind $10K. She said all the other stores in the strip were busy. I said, "There is no way those people are doing better than you are."

She finally went to one of the shops and asked her friend how she was doing this year. She said, "It will be a miracle if I make anything close to last year. We are all suffering."

Sherri · #9 12-23-2008, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

Wow, that's really amazing! Nowadays people don't even know how to cook, so that has to be a major bummer!

My daughter's business is not getting the money she made last year. Her first week she was behind $10K. She said all the other stores in the strip were busy. I said, "There is no way those people are doing better than you are."

She finally went to one of the shops and asked her friend how she was doing this year. She said, "It will be a miracle if I make anything close to last year. We are all suffering."

Well you certainly can't tell it by the parking lots at the malls and places like Target! It's insane here. We keep saying, "I thought there was a recession!!!!"

Pressing-On · #10 12-23-2008, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sherri

Well you certainly can't tell it by the parking lots at the malls and places like Target! It's insane here. We keep saying, "I thought there was a recession!!!!"

It's because Boutiques carry specialty items that are more costly, although much better quality. She carries Karen Kane clothing among her collections. She sold a beautiful blue and white top - the lady came in and made her purchase - $95.

She comes back the next day - with receipt - exchanges it because Dillards had theirs on sale for 40% off!

It's hard to compete with the large department stores.