A few years ago, Emma Rodriguez would have set aside money to spend on Black Friday — the day after Thanksgiving and one of the busiest shopping days of the year — just like many others.

But Christmas is going to be “dramatically” different in 2009, said the Kenosha mother of three, ages 1 to 11. Gifts aren’t in her budget.

“I can’t afford it right now,” said Emma, who lost three jobs in almost as many years and now works for $5 an hour less. “It’s depressing, really. You try to think positive, but it’s hard. I’ve told the children that mommy isn’t making as much money as she used to.”

Join the crowd — that is, of those spending less, not those packing shopping malls this weekend.

A National Retailers Foundation survey showed almost two-thirds of U.S. consumers said the economy would cause them to shell out fewer dollars this year for the holidays. Sales are forecast to decline 1 percent, to $437.6 billion, nationwide, the group reported.

Shoppers are expected to spend an average of $682.74 this year, a 3.2 percent drop from last year’s $705.01, the foundation said.

Two years of cutbacks

This will be the second Christmas where the number of gifts are scaled down from several to one for each of Tomasa and Donnie Harrah’s four children, ages 2 to 10.

Tomasa said that four years ago, when her husband’s electrician income was about double, she’d spend up to $700 for the children and another $200 for friends.

This year’s Christmas gift budget is closer to $160. She plans to shop at Salvation Army.

“It bothers me,” she said about the situation. “My kids usually ask for gifts that are helpful and educational. But now when they’ve given me their lists, I’ve had to tell them the gifts were too much money and they weren’t going to get them. Then they put on those sad faces.”

Tomasa said when she lived in Mexico, her family never had Christmas presents and still had fun during gatherings and at church.

“Sometimes people spend so much on Christmas, and it doesn’t make sense,” she said. “A lot of kids could learn during these times that if they have a family, a good dinner and small presents, that’s good enough.”

No cash for Christmas

Last year, Shantell and Dwayne Frank had to cut out all spending for Christmas gifts. They instead relied on the ELCA Urban Outreach Center’s “Hope for the Holidays” gift program and Holiday House, which distributes food and gifts, for presents for their three children, now ages 3 to 6.

The same is on the agenda for this year.

“Otherwise, my kids really wouldn’t have a Christmas,” Shantell said. “We wouldn’t be able to afford it because we have a lot of other bills.”

Shantell has been working at a day care center for several months. Her husband is out of work. When he was working and their rent was cheaper, the family could afford to shop at a discount store for two or three toys for each child.

Being in this financial squeeze and having to eliminate the extras for her children’s Christmas has affected her.

“It’s depressing and hurtful,” she said. “You really don’t want to have to go to the places that give away these things for kids. You want to be able to go out and afford to get something that they want.

“I’ve talked to my children about how it’s going to be harder again this year. If it weren’t for the people surrounding me offering help, I don’t know how we’d be able to give my kids a Christmas.”

Giving thanks at Christmas, too

Emma Rodriguez, who skipped Black Friday spending this year, said she hopes she’ll receive gifts for her children from Holiday House. She also signed up early for the gift giveaway program arranged by the Outreach Center, where she now works.

Her children’s reactions to family cutbacks were difficult to watch, Emma said.

“But we are together, and that’s the most important thing,” she said. “We have a roof over our heads and food on the table. A lot of people out there are a lot less fortunate.”