USA Today recently wrote an article about an optimistic study that shows businesses are looking to hire more holiday jobs than in 2008, a good sign that the economy just might be perking up.

According to the study, retailers are set to hire an estimated 550,000 to 650,000 people for the upcoming holiday season, a significant jump from the mere 324,900 holiday positions made available in 2008. While this new number is still below the 700,000 new jobs that were created during the same period in the pre-recession heyday of 2006, experts are reading this as a sign that consumer spending will be up this holiday season.

Do you plan on doing more holiday shopping this year? Or will you be more focused on saving? Tell us your thoughts in the comments.