From CNN.COM:

Job loss leads to spending guilt for holiday season

(CNN) — There won’t be any brightly wrapped packages under Annette Peterson’s Christmas tree this year.

Peterson, a 34-year-old from French Lick, Indiana, was out of a job as of the end of last week, and there’s no extra money to buy presents.

“It’s really tough,” said Peterson, a hospital registration clerk who contacted CNN through iReport.com. “I feel pretty guilty this holiday season.”

Last year, Peterson and her husband, who works as a graphic artist, spent about $600 on gifts for their 3-year-old daughter. This year, Peterson wonders whether they’ll have enough money to pay the electric bill and buy groceries

(more here)