Some southwestern Connecticut residents say their Christmas traditions, like purchasing fresh trees and decorating them with lights and ornaments, will not be affected by their lack of funds.

Shoppers at Stew Leonard?s in Norwalk and Ganim?s Garden Center in Fairfield say they intend to spend about the same amount on their Christmas trees, regardless of their current financial status or decisions to cut back spending in other areas.

Workers at the tree shops say they have noticed a slight decline in sales of accoutrements, like tree stands and Christmas tree delivery, but for the most part, people continue to spend on their trees and wreaths like they did last year.