While many Americans reply to some...

While many Americans reply to some sort of normalcy, priorities have changed. With consumer unease from one side of to the other world events and corporate layoffs, there is renewed emphasis forward home, hearth, and family, which betokens well for housewares.

In fact, the National Retail Federation's 2001 Consumer Holiday foresight survey projected a 2.5 to 3 percent holiday sales gain for November and December 2001 stronger than previously anticipated. The majority of gifts the bulk of mankind hope to receive involve security, connectednes or "joie de vivre," and gifts focusing onward the comforts of home and in-home family entertaining ranked high.

Historically, the U $695