East Las Vegas residents are already planning for the holiday season, but many are confronting tighter budgets and staffing challenges. Mother of four Jessica Savage says the rising cost of everyday items is limiting what she can provide for her children.
“I want to give my kids everything, but I’m very limited because everything’s so expensive,” Savage said. The financial strain has dampened her enthusiasm for Christmas, adding stress to what should be a joyful time.
Last year, Savage was unable to purchase presents for her children and relied on a school‑based program that supplied about ten gifts per child. “They were happy,” she recalled, but she hopes to avoid a repeat of that situation.
Local retailer feels the impact
Ralph Jones Display and Store Fixtures, a long‑standing East Las Vegas business that sells Christmas trees and decorations, is also feeling the pressure. Co‑owner Kate Jones reported shipping delays this year, which have contributed to inventory challenges.
“We had a little bit of a run‑in with the shipping and such. That was a little bit of a delay this year,” Jones said.
Finding seasonal employees has proven even more difficult. The store has reviewed close to 200 applications, but many candidates failed to appear for interviews.
“Unfortunately, we’ve been looking to hire a lot, and we’ve been through probably over 200 applications. People said they were going to show up for the interview, and most of them never showed up,” Jones explained.
Despite these hurdles, Jones says the store is committed to offering holiday merchandise at a range of price points so that all customers can find something affordable.
“We are always trying to hit the right price items for individuals. We don’t want to be just that high‑end business. We want everybody to be able to shop here at Ralph Jones,” she added.
Focus on memories, not material
Both Jones and Savage emphasize that the true value of the season lies in family memories rather than the gifts under the tree.
“The memories are the most important because that’s what you take with you. The stuff could disappear,” Jones said.
Savage echoes that sentiment, teaching her children humility and gratitude despite a limited budget.
“That’s why I’m trying to teach my kids to be humble and appreciate what they do have instead of worrying about what they don’t have,” she said.
Families seeking assistance this holiday season can explore programs offered by local nonprofits, such as the Holiday Programs listed on Help on Nevada.
Original reporting: KTNV 13 Action News Las Vegas (local) — read the source article.
