Elite World News

The biggest holiday dawdlers this year are men, according to a National Retail Federation survey. The survey found that nearly one in five men (19.4 percent) had yet to begin their holiday shopping, more than women (13.7 percent), or young adults 18-24 (17.6 percent).

Approximately 25 million consumers (11.7 percent) have completely finished their holiday shopping, but more than 35 million shoppers (16.5 percent) admit they haven’t even started, according to the NRF’s 2007 Holiday Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, conducted by BIGresearch.

(Full post Survey: Consumers Still Have Gifts to Buy…)

(Tribune Media Services) — Each summer, Europe greets a stampede of sightseers and shoppers with eager cash registers. Before jumping into the peak-season pig pile, consider the advantages of an off-season trip. Given the current weakness of our dollar overseas, the potential price-savings of an off-season trip are enough to brighten a gray winter day. Airfares are often hundreds of dollars less. With fewer crowds in Europe, you’ll sleep cheaper. Many fine hotels drop their prices, and budget hotels have plenty of vacancies.
(Full post Pros outweigh cons of off-season Europe…)

I’ve always been a huge fan of Urban Outfitters, and when you take a look at this enormous Sabina Leather Convertible Bag, you’ll see why. Elegantly fashioned in leather, it’s all decked out with buckle detailing around the top, 2 front snap pockets, and conveniently divides into 3 large interior compartments. It carries with a hand strap and a removable adjustable strap. Available in Sienna and Black, it measures 15.5×4.5×15, and can be picked up at Urban Outfitters for $225.
(Full post Urban Outfitters Sabina Leather Convertible Bag…)

They may look like prettily wrapped rolls of Ritz crackers but trust me, they’re not It was my first Christmas in the UK and we’re walking around the ASDA Supermarket in Dyce, Scotland, looking at all the different Christmas items. I pick up a box of shiny christmas paper-wrapped rolls and say to my Scottish husband, “Oh, pretty! What are these for?” “They’re Christmas Crackers,” he answers. “They’re a big tradition here. Don’t you have them [in the US]?” “Not that I know of,” I say, “I’ve never seen them before.
(Full post My Sad Christmas Cracker Story…)

Right about now, many of you are planning your major trips for 2008—certainly through spring, and maybe a big trip in summer. One of the main considerations you’ll face is the weather at your chosen destination: how warm (or cold) it might be, how likely you are to find rain or sunshine, and such. Fortunately, you have some good sources of information.

First, I should point out that, when you plan a vacation months in advance, your interest is really in looking for information on the climate rather than the weather.

(Full post Making the most of climate and weather data…)

More than $18 billion has been spent online during the first 37 days of the holiday season (Nov. 1 – Dec. 7), an 18 percent gain year-over-year, according to comScore. On Dec. 6, consumers spent $803 million online, a 28 percent increase year-over-year and the heaviest online spending day in history.

For the week ending Dec. 7, consumers spent 4.58 billion online, a 20 percent increase year-over-year.

(Full post Retail Holiday E-Commerce Spending Up 18%…)

Okay Ladies, with very few shopping days left, we need to get serious about this wish list thing. The new Technicolor Striped Patchwork Tote by Lucky Brand Jeans features leather and suede with leather trim with a top magnetic closure. Available in Multi and Natural Multi, this outrageous bag carries with one shoulder strap, measures 16×13x6, and sells for $168 at Macys. This is just one of many gorgeous bags I ran across while at Macy’s last weekend. I might add that Macy’s is offering guaranteed Christmas delivery if ordered
(Full post Lucky Brand Jeans Technicolor Striped Patchwork Tote…)

The survey, conducted by travel company totaltravel.com, asked whether "excessively overweight" people should be forced to pay for two seats when travelling by plane.

Almost two-thirds of the 2810 respondents (63 per cent) believed obese people should be charged for an additional seat, answering that they did not want to share the seat they had paid for.

Thirty five per cent were more sympathetic, voting that excessively overweight people should not be penalised for their size.

Totaltravel.com global marketing manager Paul Fisher said the issue was one that resonated strongly with travellers, especially as seat space was at such a premium since the advent of low-cost carriers.

"This is a sensitive issue for all involved and forcing obese people to pay for two tickets raises a lot of ethical and legal dilemmas," Mr Fisher said.

"Airlines should be working out a solution to the problem, whether it is discounted second seats or specially-designed chairs for larger people."

Sonoma Scent Studio has launched Velvet Rose, a new “deep and velvety rose soliflore” fragrance for women: One of our favorite roses here at Sonoma Scent Studio is the variety of Rosa damascena called Kazanlik, which bears the same name as the city in the famous Rose Valley of Bulgaria where it is grown and harvested for rose absolute. The notes feature Damask rose, bergamot, carnation, violet leaf, musk and “a whisper of patchouli”. Sonoma Scent Studio Velvet Rose is available in Perfume Oil, Eau de Parfum and Shea Cream.
(Full post Sonoma Scent Studio Velvet Rose ~ new fragrance…)

Rapaport auctioned off 16 of its 39 diamond lots available at last week’s auction, for a total of $104,814.  The top stone auctioned was a 1.06-carat diamond with D color, VVS1 clarity and an “Excellent” grade that went for $12,000. Prices on the other 15 lots sold ranged from $3,875 to $7,850. The auction is the latest in a series designed to create a futures market for diamonds.
(Full post Less than half of lots move at Rapaport auction…)