Obama Popular as Part of Italian Nativities
President-elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle are appearing in Italian nativity scenes this year, alongside the baby Jesus and wise men, according to Naples craftsmen selling figurines in the run-up to Christmas.
The production of handmade figurines for nativity scenes is big business in this southern Italian city and has been for centuries.
But beyond the thousands of angel, sheep, Mary and Joseph figures filling market stalls before Christmas, craftsmen say Obama has become a top seller.
“The ones we are selling the most of are those of Barack Obama, America’s new president, along with his wife Michelle,” said craftsman Genny Di Virgilio.
Tradition requires that the nativity scene be built up over time until Christmas Eve, when baby Jesus is put in the manger as the very last element of the display.
As always, figurine-makers provide a chance to choose a more light-hearted approach for the scene providing replicas of personalities who have made the news during the last year.
Beyond Obama, they are also selling figurines of French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni and even Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
While cherished by many, some people say the arrival of celebrity figurines spoils the traditional sense of Christmas.
One nun, Angelica, scoffed at what she called a “cartoon version of a nativity scene.”
Christmas Music Sales Tank
After two consecutive years of strong Christmas sales, seasonal music has lost favor with U.S. music fans.
Some merchants are reporting that seasonal album sales are down as much as 50% from last year. One wholesaler says he has already begun to return Christmas product to the labels because he feels he will have little chance of selling it, marking a break from the customary practice of returning Christmas product after the new year.
The decline comes amid a dearth of big Christmas album debuts, as well as a slide in overall music sales and an economic recession.
Certainly no new Christmas titles have matched the performance of Josh Groban’s 2007 album “Noel,” which was the top overall seller during Thanksgiving week last year with 405,000 units. It ruled the Billboard 200 for five weeks, and was the year’s biggest seller with 3.7 million units.
Currently, the biggest new holiday release is country singer Faith Hill’s “Joy to the World,” which slipped one place to No. 17 on the Billboard 200 in the week ended November 30.
Other Christmas titles on the Billboard 200 include Irish singer Enya’s “And Winter Came…” at No. 18, Elvis Presley’s “Christmas Duets” at No. 28, Harry Connick, Jr’s “What a Night! A Christmas Album” at No. 33, and the multi-artist compilation “The Essential NOW That’s What I Call Christmas” at No. 40.
Christmas Price Index Rises for the ’12 Days’
Given the economic downturn, even the most romantic might balk at the $86,609 price tag for the items in the carol, “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”
That’s this year’s cost, according to the annual “Christmas Price Index” compiled by PNC Wealth Management, which tallies the single partridge in a pear tree to the 12 drummers drumming, purchased repeatedly as the song suggests. The price is up $8,508 or 10.9 percent, from $78,100 last year.
“True loves may take it on the chin for a peck on the cheek,” said Jim Dunigan, managing executive of investment for PNC Wealth Management, which has been calculating the cost of Christmas since 1984.
In this tight economy, what’s a romantic to do?
The creative but cash-strapped consumer might consider some modifications. After all, who needs dozens of birds?
Instead of two turtle doves ($55) why not two Dove chocolate bars at about buck each? Don’t have $4,414 for 10 lords-a-leaping? How about a “Riverdance” DVD? Plenty of leaping there, and it’s only about $25 on Amazon.com. Save a couple grand by skipping the 11 pipers piping and getting a CD of Scottish bagpipe music for less than $20.
“The price of creativity, I think, has to be measured against the value of true love,” said Dunigan. “Necessity is the mother of invention. So this year, it might pay to be a little more inventive.”
While some sources suggest the gold rings actually refer to ring neck pheasants — apparently, all the birds were for feasting — Dunigan advises sticking with jewelry.
“At least my experience, if you had to lead with something, gold rings probably wouldn’t be a bad idea,” he said.
They are down about 11 percent, from $395 last year to $350, the result of pressures on discretionary spending, Dunigan said.
But sticklers for tradition might also save by procrastinating. With the economy in its first consumer-led recession since the early 1980s and energy prices falling as of late, prices could come down between now and Christmas, Dunigan said.
PNC Financial Services Group Inc. checks jewelry stores, dance companies, pet stores and other sources to compile the list. While it is done humorously, PNC said its index mirrors actual economic trends.
For instance, gasoline costs topped $4 this summer, driving up shipping costs for many goods. So a pear tree that cost $150 last year will cost $200 this year. (The partridge is up $5 to $20.)
Luxury items are also up, as reflected by the price of the seven swans-a-swimming, which are up 33 percent to $5,600.
But the faltering economy has also brought down the cost of some items.
The three French hens (down $15 to $30) and six geese-a-laying (down $120 to $240) reflect declines in food prices.
The eight maids-a-milking will cost 12 percent more, $52.40 from about $47 last year, thanks to their second annual minimum wage increase.
The 10 lords-a-leaping, 11 pipers piping and 12 drummers drumming are all up about 3 percent, reflecting the general average wage increase.
