Extend the holiday season? Some shoppers say yes

HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) - A new survey has found that some people support extending the holiday season into January.

The website CouponCabin.com claims that more than 1/3 of the 2,000 shoppers they surveyed, think that a longer shopping season would lessen the financial burden.

22News took the question to shoppers at the Holyoke Mall on Thursday.

Jessica Clark of Chicopee told 22News that she buys into the idea of extending the holidays.

“Especially in this economy, people need more time for spending. You don't want to be rushed- It's spent with loved ones and you just want to enjoy it, you don't want to rush through it,” Clark said.

If the longer shopping season idea received limited survey support, most people 22News approached at the mall were also cool to the concept.

“It's long enough,” Virginia Viens of East Longmeadow said. “The stores are very accommodating. They're open weekends, at night and there are all kinds of coupons, it's long enough.

As chaplain for the Holyoke Visiting Nurses Association, Barbara Hyer told 22News that she finds the idea of extending the season out of step with the meaning of the season

“Gift giving is nice, but it's all about the birth of Christ, and the religious aspect of Christmas,” she said.

Seventy-five percent of the people surveyed said they are bothered by holiday season expenses.