[RayChuang88]

With more money towards taxes, utilities, and insurance ...why would spending on gifts increase?

BINGO. What is driving down Christmas sales this year is the increasing amount your paycheck going to pay for higher taxes and especially the Obamacare mandates. In short, less discretionary income in 2014 is about to hammer Christmas sales.

Maybe it's high time we massively overhaul both government regulations and our tax laws so people enjoy far more take-home pay after taxes and insurance needs.

[LostInBayport]

What is driving down Christmas sales this year is the increasing amount your paycheck going to pay for higher taxes and especially the Obamacare mandates.

THIS. Many of us now have a much heavier, grimmer burden thanks to Obamacare/Romneycare because we are subsidizing others who pay little to nothing for their insurance. One is very cautious about spending money on frivolities when a) the money is tight because the health insurance premiums have skyrocketed and b) one illness will burn through the inflated deductible and lead to a mountain of bills.

Merry Christmas from the democrat party (not that the other party has made many noises about doing something about repealing the nightmare).

[randita]

If I continue a health insurance policy with the same benefits as I had last year, it will cost me (just one person) over $3,000 more per year. A family of four may be looking at a $5,000-$10,000 increase in premiums. Who has much money for Christmas anymore?