Shoppers Turn to Funny, Useful Gifts

Strong figures early indication of shopping rebound

(NEWSER) - Just how lucrative will this holiday season turn out to be for retailers? If wrapping paper sales are any indication, pretty darn good. Both shop owners and the public are awaiting holiday shopping statistics as a clue to American confidence and an economic rebound. An early sign is wrapping paper sales, which appear to be springing back to 2007 highs, reports the Wall Street Journal . Gift wrap sales totaled $9.36 billion in 2010, a 4% increase over the previous year; some companies are expecting sales to be up as much as 10% this year. The Gift Wrap Company is boosting sales with lower-cost rolls of paper and traditional motifs. "It's the traditional colors, traditional Santa icons and snowmen," said a spokesman. "Those kinds of things never go out of style." More»

Chains hoping deep discounts will move merchandise

(NEWSER) - While store bargains may have shoppers saying "ho, ho, ho," they've got retailers thinking: "Oh-oh." Heavy discounts in the last days before Christmas are a signal companies are worried they'll be stuck with inventory that isn't moving off the shelves. Retailers had high hopes for the season, but sluggish sales are forcing them now to be “much more aggressive in terms of promotion," a retail consultant tells the New York Times . Toy prices are being slashed as much as 50% at Toys R Us and 70% at Amazon, and gifts have been discounted 50% at places like Restoration Hardware. More»

Company says some customers are out of luck

(NEWSER) - If you're waiting on Best Buy to ship a last-minute Christmas gift, better check your email. The retailer is informing customers that it can't fill all online orders, reports the Chicago Tribune . It's not clear yet how many will be affected. One analyst chalks it up to a big surge in online buying this year but warns that unhappy customers may think twice about going with Best Buy next time around, notes AP . (Customers are seething at an online forum .) More»

They record reactions to lousy gifts

(NEWSER) - Jimmy Kimmel is establishing a holiday tradition of sorts. On Halloween, he asked parents to tell their kids they ate up all the candy and to record the reaction. For Christmas, he asked parents to give their kids an early but terrible present and again record it for YouTube posterity, notes the Huffington Post . (A half-eaten sandwich and a battery are two "gifts" that make it onto the compilation video.) More»

Fantasy gifts for 2011 unveiled in 'Christmas Book'

(NEWSER) - It’s that time of year again: time for Neiman Marcus to say, “Recession? What recession?” and urge you to purchase a $250,000 mahogany speedboat for your beloved this Christmas. Yes, the Christmas Book was unveiled yesterday. To really get into the holiday spirit, read on for the highlights, via AP :

• $1 million: A cool mil will get you a fountain, apparently with water that dances to music, installed in your home.
• $420,000: Private jet tour of European flower shows.