Staff Report

LAPLACE – Many news outlets have put out conflicting reports regarding hoiday shopping this year. Some say it is up, and others say it is down.

According to L’Observateur’s readers, the economy has been their biggest problem when attempting to finish their holiday shopping this year. Nearly half of the people answering the question “With Christmas right around the corner, many folks are scrambling to finish their holiday shopping. What is your biggest obstacle to checking off everyone on your gift list?” said they did not have enough money to get all the presents they want to buy.

The other answers in the poll gathered nearly the same percentage of votes, except for one. While crowds, time and not knowing what to get all posed moderate problems for L’Observateur’s online readers, most did not have a problem finding what they were looking for. Perhaps online shopping has alleviated this problem for most Americans.

The complete results of the poll are as follows:

• 15 percent of respondents chose “The stores are too crowded.”

• 48 percent of respondents chose “I don’t have enough money to buy all the gifts I’d lke to.”

• 15 percent chose “I can’t find the time to get all my shopping done.”

• 19 percent chose “I don’t know what to get for everyone.”

• 4 percent chose “I can’t find what I’m looking for.”

This week’s question: Once Christmas is over, people’s minds turn toward the celebration of the coming of a new year. How do you plan to ring in 2010?

Visit www.lobservateur.com to cast your vote.