Prognosticators are giving Santa a mixed bag so far this holiday season. A month ago, most analysts predicted gains in holiday spending, but in recent weeks, the upbeat assessments have been beaten down by gridlock in Washington, weakening consumer confidence and unsettling news around the globe. Now it appears as if the gloom and doom is lifting a bit. With Christmas less than a month away, more consumers plan to spend more than last year, and fewer consumers less than last year, according to ...