From todays' AP Buzz

"Recession-stung stores plan old-fashioned holidays
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By ANNE D'INNOCENZIO, AP Retail Writer Anne D'innocenzio, Ap Retail Writer – Sun Oct 4, 7:02 am ET
NEW YORK – Stores are turning back the clock, conjuring images of hearth and home as they stock their holiday merchandise.

Retailers hope embracing holiday traditions from cozier times will tempt recession-weary consumers to open their wallets in a season expected to show flat sales at best.
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"It's old-fashioned and traditional, and therefore much more in vogue," said Jim McCann, 1-800 Flowers president.

_Saks Fifth Avenue developed a store-brand line of traditional ornaments costing $8 to $32. That compares with the $50 average price for well-known designer brand and key Saks supplier Christopher Radko.

Ostentatious outdoor displays are also getting the boot.

HSN is moving away from holiday lawn decor to interior decorations, including adding nativity scenes. That means fewer of the big inflatable lawn decorations that have dominated suburban yards in recent years.

"People are spending more time inside. They are doing less of the showoff" on the lawn, Nicola said.

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Friends,
this is great news for Artists like me...I make Nativity Sets, or better said, Artistic Nativity Dioramas!