To trim the tree this holiday season, consumers are trimming the number of recipients that will receive gifts.

The economic downturn is forcing many people to play favorites with the loved ones in their lives. Among the many retail surveys analyzing the not-so-sudden collapse of materialism, American Express found that some consumers are nixing certain friends and family members over their pets.

Studies conducted by market research firm NPD note that people have chopped their Christmas lists on average from 16 to ten people. Marshal Cohen, the chief industry analyst for NPD, addresses every American's fear: “The understanding is if I show up without a gift, they’ll throw me out on the street.” Despite their fears, people must prioritize their holiday budgets and plans, and sometimes gift giving isn't a prudent, or even possible, option.Continue reading...

You may be a Mac and I may be a PC. But a new study says I probably live in your house.

The NDP Group 2009 Household Penetration Study looked at stats comparing Mac and PC households in the US. Some results are what you'd expect: Mac-owning households are more affluent, with 36% who report household income over $100,000, compared with the national average of 21%. And on average, an Apple home contains far more consumer electronics than PC-only households.Continue reading...