The endless parliamentary debates on Budget 2010 have finally drawn to a close and with it, the Christmas period is being ushered in.

Many will have driven past the usual proliferation of Christmas shops, many (thanks to the ingenuity of the Maltese entrepreneur) being situated in the same street. Others will have noticed the Christmas jingles on radio advertising while others will have seen the decorated roundabouts and the lights being put up in various localities. But it is all rather bizarre: yesterday, a month before Christmas Day, the skies were blue and crystal clear and one could easily have gone to the beach for a sunbathing session. Yet, as we have said, the current weather does not do much to inspire any Christmassy feelings.

But there is another factor which is not letting the Christmas spirit (and a good nudge to the economy) emerge – the recession.

It is a well-known fact that Maltese retailers really rely on the Christmas period to boost their end of year sales and this year, bearing in mind the reduced spending by people in general, shop owners will be relying on this period even more.

As we have mentioned, it is one month till the big day, but no one seems to have got into the mindset of shopping for decorations (and decorating their houses), stocking up the pantry with goodies and shopping for gifts.

Of course, the retailers will panic (perhaps even enough to drop their prices to acceptable levels which we are now used to paying abroad or off the internet) in a bid to get the Christmas rush going.

But as a result of the way we live life today – snatching our meals at our desks, working long after sundown and generally trying to squeeze everything in, many will leave it until the last minute. Males, of course, are the worst culprits.

Make no mistake, the Maltese will rush to the shops to get the last bits and pieces, but shop owners will also find that the trend of making large purchases online will continue to grow this year.

The Maltese customer (very savvy by nature) has figured out that there are some very advantageous bargains on the internet, and that, coupled with transparency of purchase of secure delivery, has altered the mindset. Local retailers must realise that unless they do reduce their prices (and let's be honest, they are high), they will lose their trade to the internet and shops overseas. The simple fact that it works out cheaper to go to London for your Christmas shopping speaks volumes.

This newspaper is not setting spending trends, nor can it influence them, but it can highlight these facts. Obviously, in the national interest, it would be positive if Maltese shoppers did do all their major shopping here. It would serve to give the economy a boost and it would also do much to revive the flagging retail sector. But again, and this is key, it is imperative that fair prices are charged. One cannot be paying double for an item that they could purchase for half the price elsewhere and, unless this changes, then local retailers are going to find themselves hard pressed come January with its five long weeks and the mass of bills at the end.