Ah, the Christmas season is upon us and so is the shopping season.

With higher gasoline prices eating at disposable income, will area shoppers spend less this Christmas, or will they spend more?

Or will this year’s Christmas list cost them about the same as it did last year?

“I will probably spend about the same as I did last year. I’m trying to save money.”

— Johnny Shope

Ironton

“I will probably spend about the same. I’m retired and I don’t get any raises, just one a year and it’s not much.”

— Jim Workman

Russell, Ky.

“I plan to spend about the same. I plan on fixing the same dinner as I did at Thanksgiving. But if I get invited to someone else’s house for Christmas I won’t spend any (on food) at all.”

— Kathy Frazier

Ashland, Ky.

“I think I will spend about the same. I say that but when it comes to my kids and grandkids I have a soft heart. All those warm fuzzy feelings take over.”

— Linda Collins

Ironton

“I will spend about the same as I did last year. Money is tight but really, Christmas isn’t about the presents. It’s about Jesus Christ. I don’t like to put emphasis on presents. I think we should look to the Lord.”

— Ron Salyers

Flatwoods, Ky.