Lifestyle
LLifestyles Updates
- The day after Christmas sales
The holiday season isn't over for retailers yet, at least they hope not. Analysts claim nearly 16 percent of holiday sales occur the week following Christmas. Stores offer deep discounts to lure shoppers.
At Coastal Grand Mall in Myrtle Beach, there wasn’t a large amount of early bird shoppers. As the day moved on, thousands of people crammed into the mall.
Mall manager, Deb Bramlett said traffic remained steady all day. “This is a busy time for us. Our car count is up for this week. We see a lot of beach visitors in the mall this time of year.”
Most people walking around were carrying more than one bag. Most told News 13 they were shopping the sales.
Nationwide, retailers reported a slow holiday season this year. Industry analysts say it's due to the credit crunch, the housing bust and a slow time on wall street.
Yevette Rice of Georgia grabbed up sale items. “I bought some sweaters for my kids. You know, they've outgrown their old ones. Just also looking for some lotions and some body stuff."
Austin Boatwright and her mom Julia, both of Myrtle Beach, took advantage of the after Christmas sales. They weren't unhappy with what Santa brought them, they just needed to switch a few things.
"I got some tights and I don't know if I'm going to wear tights some dresses and just stuff for the New Year,” said Austin Boatwright.
Austin said she's also taking back a backpack her grandmother bought her that she didn't like. But her focus wasn't necessarily on returns this year. She was planning on using her gift cards. "Oh yeah, I have a lot of gift cards. Belk, Express, Charlotte Russe. I like that better so now I have the sales too so I can do both."
"Instead of getting money, I can actually go and buy stuff for myself, said Austin.
Gift cards nearly took the number one gift slot from apparel for 2007. An American Express survey showed 66% of shoppers planned to give gift cards totaling more than 53 billion dollars.
Julia Boatwright said she didn't follow the national trend and spend less this year. "We bought a little bit more than usual and everybody got what they wanted. We stretched it over the month and some last minute shopping on Christmas Eve and everyone was happy."
- 'Inkeeper' recalls fateful day
By MILDRED BROWDER-HUGHES
CorrespondentJOHNSONVILLE — “An Innkeeper’s Christmas” was the title of the morning message during the worship service at Johnsonville First Baptist Church Sunday.
The Rev. Charlie Pittman, who has served the church as their pastor for many years, is known for his presentation of the Easter and Christmas messages that are presented through pageantry. He takes on the persona of one of the main characters in the story and is robed in his likeness to give identity to the story.
On Sunday, his attire gave a vivid likeness to the innkeeper of Bethlehem. The story quickly unfolds as it takes the congregation through the message of the story and to a dramatic end, where Rev. Pittman appeals to those who do not yet know the Christ, “to come to know Him through the power of salvation as they yield their hearts to Him.”
Arrayed in a robe and headpiece especially designed as fitting of the Inn in Bethlehem in those days, the age old story unfolded in a manner of newness that held the congregation spellbound.
As the innkeeper, it was he who had turned Mary and Joseph away on the night we know today as Christmas Eve, because there was no room in the inn.
Although the Scripture doesn’t mention him by name, much has been said of him over the years. He has been portrayed as a cold heartless ogre who refused to allow Mary and Joseph to stay at his inn. He disagreed with that description of himself, but looking back he wished he had handled that situation differently. Then he shared the story of that first Christmas through his eyes and through his heart.
He was a small businessman of Bethlehem. In his business there were times when business was good and times when it was just awful. It was a struggle to find good help and to pay his taxes. He worked hard and was known as an innovator. He took pride in keeping the inn clean and in providing the best meals possible for his guests.
“I remember the night Jesus was born - like it was yesterday,” he said. “Business had been booming for several weeks because the Roman Emperor, Caesar Augustas, had commanded that everyone return to their hometown to register for a census, so the Roman government would know how to assess taxes.
“With so many people returning to Bethlehem to register, our little inn was swamped…nearly everyday was filled by early evening and I even had the overflow of people stay in my home. We had to turn people away every day. Just as I rented the last room that evening, Joseph and Mary came in.
I could see that she was very close to having the baby she was carrying. They were both tired and desperate for a place to stay. I felt terrible; the inn was full; my home was full and here was this young girl, away from home, about to have a baby at any moment! Why me, I thought. This is just what I need to deal with at such a busy time.
“I felt sorry for them and wondered where I could put them. Suddenly I thought of the stable. They could stay in the stable! Every inn had a stable in which to keep the guests’ animals. Even the stable was full, but I moved enough of the animals outside to make room and cleaned up as well as I could and put down fresh hay. It wasn’t the best, but it did give them shelter. Glad of the stable, neither of them complained.
“After intense labor, Mary gave birth to her son and