A quick survey around town this week revealed that local shoppers have no qualms about forking out their dollars this Christmas.

Many anticipate spending upward of $1,500 on gifts alone.

Business reporter Cathy Stovell took to Hamilton during the busy lunch period yesterday and was told by almost everyone she spoke with, that they were working without a budget.

"Most of my shopping is for my immediate family and I have no budget for them at all,'' said Joanne Simons. "If I see something I like for them I buy it. I don't care about the price.'' Her husband Art said he leaves all the holiday shopping in her hands but added they most gifts overseas.

Jennifer Walker said she took a trip to Ohio last week, specifically to get her Christmas shopping out of the way.

"I am pretty much finished with my shopping,'' she said. "I went overseas to Ohio and spent the whole week just shopping.'' But Ms Walker's friend Lekeia Robinson said she has barely started the process.

"I'm not doing too good with my shopping. I haven't bought much yet,'' she said.

Asked how much she expects to spend she said: "I don't know. I don't have a budget. A lot I'm sure because you have to take into account that every time you buy something for somebody, you buy something for yourself too. A lot of people are like that and I know I am.'' Ms Robinson confirmed that she expected to spend a few thousand dollars just on gifts this year.

Craig Ferguson and Will Drover both said most of their shopping would be done online with overseas stores this year.

"It's more fun for me to buy things online,'' said Mr. Drover, "I like punching in my credit card number and seeing how the whole process works.

"I also find there is a lot of stuff I can get online that I cannot buy in Bermuda at all and I will probably only spend a total of around $500, a lot less than if I shopped in the stores here.'' Mr. Ferguson, who works in the Internet industry, agreed that lower prices were an incentive for him to go the online route.

"I have already spent a few thousand by shopping online,'' he said. "The prices in Bermuda would have been twice what I have spent and that's even with the shipping and taxes included,'' he added.

In contrast Theresa Sousa said she would be buying all her gifts at home in Bermuda. Unlike the others she said she was operating on a limited budget and expected to spend well within a thousand dollars.

"I started shopping about two weeks ago,'' she said. "I have my list and I strictly work from that.'' The Bermuda Monetary Authority yesterday was still compiling figures to determine the amount of money in circulation this Christmas. Those figures are expected to be released the middle of next week.

One for you and one for me: Lekeia Robinson Theresa Sousa: Sticking with her list No limit on family gifts: Joanne and Art Simons Overseas shopper: Jennifer Walker Online shoppers: Craig Ferguson and Will Drover