American cities forced to cut down on Christmas expenses

Anyone who has ever visited an American city during the holiday season knows that many cities in the United States literally light up like Christmas trees in that time. However, this year the economic crisis might lead to a darker image, as a lot of cities find themselves forced to cut down on Christmas expenses. The Wall Street Journal reports that from coast to coast, communities have to save on lights, decorations, parades, elves and Santa visits. In Bonita Springs and Denver, the lights budgets were remarkably tight this year. In Bay City, the annual City of Lights event even had to be cancelled. But it is not only lights that will be missing from this year’s Christmas celebrations in the United States. Also Santa and elf bookings have also greatly dropped. Many American children will be disappointed as Santa and his elves pass over their communities. Negative effects are not only sentimental though. The Amalgamated Order of Real Bearded Santas stated their financial future might be at risk.The holiday business is suffering...