Americans do love shopping, and we don’t really know how much until the holidays come around.

With the recession fully in gear and an unemployment rate of 9.8 percent, 2010 is shockingly the year when shopping made an extravagant comeback.

“The National Retail Federation predicts that holiday spending will reach $451.5 billion this year, up 3.3 percent over last year.”

Online sales alone have increased 15.4 percent this year mainly due to free shipping deals.  In fact, deals are one of the things that get us excited about the holidays, finding that special bargain that makes us feel better about splurging for family, friends, and especially ourselves.

“Even the family dog is getting a little something extra.”  Three Dog Bakery, a pet-supply chain in Michigan reported its biggest day ever Wednesday, since it opened three years ago.

With all of this happy spending going on, consumers are still wary of using credit cards.  Gift cards and cash seem to be a hit in all retail stores, from thousands of dollars of jewelry to a $15 sweater.

Although we may not be spending frugally, we are spending with caution, a lesson learned from the recession.