Dec 3, 2008

Gift givers get ‘crafty’ in tough economyBy Aisha KhanSCNow.com

The gloomy economy has many families re-thinking their gift buying this Christmas.

Local craft stores say, they’re seeing more consumers come in and take the do-it-yourself approach.

News 13 caught up with a few crafty gift givers at A.C. Moore Arts and Crafts in Myrtle Beach, who say don’t have enough cash to buy expensive presents so instead, they’re making them from scratch.

“To me giving something special that’s taken thought, I think would be appreciated”, says Robin Conant, who may be finished with her Christmas shopping, but she can’t breathe easy just yet, now comes the real work.

“This year especially most of my gifts are going to be crafted because of the economy”, she says, “and just try to cut back and make sure that we’re good financially”.

Assistant store manager, Pat Lord says, the economic blues are getting to everyone, so to be more frugal they’re getting crafty.

“I think everybody is hurting for money”.

She adds, that she has noticed many gift shoppers foregoing store-bought presents and are instead, making them, by coming into her store for jewelry beads, glitter, markers and ribbons.

“I think it’s really either they’re thinking about it and being a little more careful, they’re preparing for what may happen in the future”.

Tonia Green, another gift shopper, agrees.

“I think the economic crunch that we are in now is because we didn’t think about the future” she says, “we bought, bought and bought and that’s why the whole nation is suffering right now”.

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