Christien Louviere

Like so many other things these days in New
Orleans, I’m trying to figure out what it’s going to be like this Christmas
season.  I suddenly realized that we’re halfway through November and I
have yet to buy a single gift.  This probably doesn’t seem all that odd
for a semi-single (not married) guy in his 20s; but, I’m used to buying
everything I need sometime in October to get out of the way.  I hate
crowded malls.  I don’t like to shop…just buy.

This time last year, I was dissecting TV, magazine and billboard ads to figure
which were effective and which ones would lose money.  This year, I’m just
trying to get one day to the next.  Other than a few thoughtful moments on
Thanksgiving and Christmas mornings, these days will probably pass without much
difference from the days preceding them.  Very few families are in
positions where they are unaffected by something of this magnitude.  It’s
kind of like cancer in that it’s hard to meet someone who isn’t in someway
connexxted to someone who had/has it.  My mother had cancer. 

I’m trying to figure which situation is more grave…cancer or the CF that is
now New Orleans.  Imagine you’re over 40 with your net worth equaling the
time when you were 23 fresh out of college.  Now, imagine you still have
all the debt of being over 40 with that net worth.  Now, imagine you’re a
small business owner and have no income added to the net worth and debt.
Now, imagine the vicious circle it creates.  Now, imagine this happens
overnight.  Now, this is reality for many residents here.  People
around the country were shocked when the ‘Cane hit, but reality is about
1000x’s worse.  This reality will force people to never retire, force
people to give up their saved nest eggs, etc.  The more you had before the
storm, the less you have now.  What’s worse is that the government is
setup to help those with nothing not those with something. 

Due to Katrina, I live with my parents right now and fortunately all of their
children are now independent and they do not have the added headache of
supporting them.  However, think of all the families who have young
children.  How do you explain this to them?  Regardless of religion
or beliefs, kids relate Christmas time to presents and fun.  There are
only two kids that are of ‘Christmas age’ in my close family right now in New
Orleans.  They will get presents and I doubt anyone else will.  This
year adults are saying, "You don’t have to get me anything."  So
what? Adults say that every year.  This year they mean it.  Just
about everyone in this city has moved somewhere and will move again.  We
really don’t want anything. Banana
Republic, like every year, has an effective Christmas campaign.  Being
down here, you couldn’t tell unless you checked their website.  Why?
The closest BR open is 75 miles away in Baton Rouge.  No TV ads, no
catalogs mailed, no radio, no outdoor…nada.

Like everything since Katrina, it’s all very sobering and makes me realize what’s truly important.