Holiday giving might depend on how you voted

Associated Press

NEW YORK

This holiday season, elves and “joy” may be on the way out and “peace” and “hope” on the way in. A divisive election that left half the country deflated and the other half rejuvenated could reverberate through the holiday shopping season in the gifts people give or how they spend.

Some retailers say they have seen a surge in feel-good items such as spa treatments, candles and comfort food, while executives at some major retailers such as Wal-Mart, Target and Macy’s have said there’s no discernable shift in consumer behavior since the presidential election won by Republican Donald Trump.

The divide in the outlook may reflect the rift in the election, as Americans split along geographic lines as well as by income.

“I don’t need a comfort dog. I don’t need anybody to feel sorry for me,” said Rhondi Bleeker, 50, of Totowa, N.J. “I’m actually happy because I was for Trump.”

Bleeker, who owns an eyelash extension business, believes the economy will be better now.

She says she’ll still be spending the same $3,000 as she does every holiday season, but she believes her business could do even better because whether people are sad or happy, most will want retail therapy.

Some shoppers say they plan to divert money from traditional gifts like sweaters to donations to charity groups in their friends’ or relatives’ names.

Products that bear words like “hope” and “kindness” are seeing sales as much as double since the election, says Lee Rhodes, founder and CEO of the nine-store Glassybaby chain that sells handblown glass items. Those with themes like “elf” and “joy” have not kept pace, she said.