I'll spend about the same on my family this year, but I'm donating more to local charities this year.
I am donating everything to local charities, I told my husband I don't need or want anything and he doesn't need or want anything, my grown kids are fine and still have jobs, and homes. I will buy something for the grandkids. In this economy there are alot of people losing their jobs, their homes, etc. It's time to help them out through local charities.
BTW: I am one of those right wing conservatives.
Another interesting fact about our community. I live in Colorado Springs, a conservative focus on the family community. I am so proud of this community, the charities we do for the poor and the underprivileged are 1st class. A local Curves, a women's exercise organization, that is World Wide has won 1st prize for the last 3 years in food donations. Again, that's a world wide organization that donates food every year in every curves in the World.
People think that conservatives are selfish, they need to think again.