Poll: Holiday Spending, Donations Rise For 2012 Holiday Season

Loudonville, NY  (WIBX) - More people are planning on spending money this holiday season, according to a new poll released by the Siena Research Institute.

This year's poll shows more people are willing to spend more this season, rising to 13 percent of those polled. That number is tempered, though, as 33 percent say they plan to spend less money.

SRI's Director, Don Levy, says people are beginning to feel better about the holidays, though the economy continues to keep them from spending more.

"Only about a quarter of New Yorkers say that they're better off financially today than they were a year ago," Levy said. "And by about a 3-to-1 margin, New Yorkers continue to say that the economy is a negative influence that is holding me back from spending more."

Once again, clothes are the top item for the holidays this year, while electronics continue to find their way onto holiday wish lists, as 73 percent of New Yorkers polled plan on buying new threads for family members. TVs, computers, e-readers and smartphones each claimed about 10 percent of shoppers' lists.

On a lighter note, more people are also planning to donate time or money to charity this season. Nearly 80 percent say they will donate to organizations, while almost 40 percent say they plan on volunteering their time to a charity.