MILWAUKEE – Shoppers in downtown Milwaukee are feeling the squeeze — and still opening their wallets — as experts say this holiday season is shaping up to be one of the most expensive on record.

Local perspective:

“I started about three weeks ago. I would say it’s been on the more expensive side, especially when you have to grab gifts for more and more people every year,” said Andie, a Milwaukee shopper.

“I finished up my Christmas shopping today,” said Zack, another shopper.

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Both said they’ve become more strategic with how — and where — they spend, balancing convenience with a push to support local businesses.

“I definitely wanna support the local businesses around here so a healthy mix of online when it’s a little more convenient and local,” said Andie.

A report from Mastercard shows consumer spending rose 3.9% from Nov. 1 through Dec. 21 compared with the same period last year, reflecting stronger demand even as prices remain elevated.

“Yeah, I would say about $100 more, maybe $200,” said Zack.

What we know:

That uptick is being felt on the ground. Kerry Schannon said his downtown Milwaukee business has seen a steady flow of customers throughout the season.

“We had a very, very brisk business up until the unexpected cold blast in December, but otherwise it’ll be very good,” said Schannon, a downtown Milwaukee business owner.

Schannon said repeat customers helped anchor sales, while creative window displays and promotions brought in new shoppers despite broader economic uncertainty.

“People are not horribly happy about tariffs, but they are still coming. They’re still supporting local business and we are specifically here because we want to mark ourselves to an urban demographic, and they’re there, they’re coming in,” said Schannon.

What they’re saying:

For shoppers, many say cost isn’t the only consideration.

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“You have to your loved ones are still important no matter the price,” said Zack.

Andie said she’s found ways to manage expenses while still keeping traditions alive.

“I do you like a secret Santa situation, so we don’t end up buying another 10–15 gifts on top of that, so trying to keep costs reasonable,” said Andie.

Looking ahead, the National Retail Federation projects holiday spending will top $1 trillion for the first time, underscoring how consumers continue to spend even as budgets are stretched.

Protecting and serving Minneapolis came with a generous lunch break today, all of it thanks to volunteers and donors.

The 42nd Annual First Responders Dinner was held at the Northeast Moose Bar and Grill. Several restaurants from the neighborhood dropped off trays of food, while local bakeries made sure there was plenty of dessert.

From noon until 10 p.m., police officers, firefighters, EMTs and others serving the community stopped in for a well-deserved meal.

Sukhdeep Singh, owner of Curry Corner, was excited that his restaurant was asked to help provide food this year.

“I made sure that we are going to have more than what we need so we don’t run out,” he said. “(First responders) are the backbone of our city. Every time we get an opportunity, we want to be there to make sure that we are always giving back.”

His restaurant is one of several contributing to the annual Christmas Eve dinner at the Moose Bar and Grill.

Aileen Johnson is one of the organizers of the dinner. She said the dozens of volunteers live nearby. The restaurants and bakeries are all from the Northeast.

Johnson says it’s the neighborhood’s way of saying thank you.

“I think it really captures the spirit of the holiday to do for others and to think of others,” she said. 

Watching police officers crack jokes and relax hits close to home for her.

“My late husband, Charlie Herzog, was an officer in the 5th Precinct and he worked many a Christmas Eve. And it was always a wonderful thing to know that he was getting a good hot meal, and not just a good hot meal, but a celebratory meal,” she said.

Hundreds of first responders were expected to attend. 

Volunteers also delivered hundreds of meals to those who couldn’t make the trip, like 911 dispatchers, corrections officers, paramedics at nearby hospitals and Metro Transit.

TODAY

Christmas morning starts gray with widespread dense fog, and visibility can drop quickly on highways and ramps, especially before sunrise. A little patchy drizzle is possible late morning into early afternoon, otherwise it stays cloudy with temperatures slipping into the lower 50s. Winds stay light early, then turn north northeast around 5 mph, so travel is mainly fine once the fog lifts, just keep extra stopping distance on damp roads. 

TONIGHT

Clouds stay locked in and rain becomes likely late, mainly after 1am. Lows settle in the mid 40s, with an east breeze around 5 to 10 mph. If you are driving home late from Christmas gatherings, plan for wet pavement and a few pockets of fog in the usual low spots. 

TOMORROW

Rain is likely in the morning, then becomes more scattered midday and afternoon, with patchy fog possible into early afternoon. Highs jump into the low to mid 60s, with a southeast wind around 10 mph shifting west later, gusts up to 20 mph. It is a mild day for late December, but the morning commute and airport runs could be slow with low clouds, wet roads, and reduced visibility at times. 

TOMORROW NIGHT

Mostly cloudy and mild, lows in the low to mid 40s, with a light west northwest breeze around 5 mph becoming nearly calm at times. Roads stay mainly wet to dry depending on where the showers linger, and travel remains manageable. 

SATURDAY

Patchy fog is possible early, then mostly cloudy with some brighter breaks. Highs reach the mid 50s, with a light east southeast breeze around 5 mph. This is a solid travel day, no winter problems, just occasional low visibility early and a lot of cloud cover. 

SATURDAY NIGHT

Mostly cloudy with a small rain chance late, lows near 50, with a southeast wind around 5 to 10 mph. If you are heading back home overnight, expect a few damp stretches, but nothing icy. 

SUNDAY

A wetter day, with rain becoming more likely into the afternoon and a few rumbles of thunder possible later. Highs land in the mid 60s, with a southwest wind around 10 mph, gusts up to 20 mph. Plan extra time for holiday return travel, heavier rain bands can slow traffic and reduce visibility. 

SUNDAY NIGHT

Rain tapers late, then colder air rushes in and a few snowflakes are possible toward daybreak. Temperatures fall into the low 20s, with a west northwest wind around 10 to 15 mph, gusts up to 25 mph. Watch for a few slick spots developing late if roads stay wet as temperatures drop. 

7 DAY OUTLOOK

The holiday stretch stays unusually mild and mostly wet rather than snowy, with fog and drizzle concerns first, then warmer air pushing highs into the 50s and 60s through the weekend. The bigger pattern change arrives right after, with a strong turn back to colder, more typical late December weather early next week, including a blustery, much colder Monday and the potential for periodic light snow chances in northwest flow beyond that. Confidence is high on the fog Christmas morning, the mild weekend, and the sharp cooldown after Sunday night, with lower confidence on exactly how quickly rain ends and any brief snow chance flips on late Sunday night.