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Stumped for gift ideas? Here's what Atlanta shoppers are buying

In this Thursday, Nov. 27, 2014, photo, a woman pays for merchandise at a Kohl’s department store in Sherwood, Ark. Relying on credit for holiday shopping without a plan to pay off the debt quickly can easily cost you more in the long run. (AP Photo/Danny Johnston)
In this Thursday, Nov. 27, 2014, photo, a woman pays for merchandise at a Kohl’s department store in Sherwood, Ark. Relying on credit for holiday shopping without a plan to pay off the debt quickly can easily cost you more in the long run. (AP Photo/Danny Johnston)
By AJC

The clock is ticking on your holiday shopping, but if you're scrambling for gift ideas for someone in the metro area, you may want to check out a tool published by the New York Times this weekend which tracks what people buy where.

The breakdown -- "Different Cities, Different Spending" -- uses six years of data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to compare the buying habits of 19 cities in four different kinds of products (food, drink and vices; appearances; home and auto; and health and "me" time), ranking them against the national average.

For example, Atlantans spend 2 percent less on alcohol at home than the national average, and 66 percent less on dinnerware. 

Here are some more things Atlanta spends less or more of than usual, which can be spun into shopping dos and don'ts (maybe avoid picking out a new Christmas cat) or as an interesting glimpse into what everyone could already be buying everyone else.

Atlanta spends less:

  • 6 percent less on cosmetics
  • 6 percent less on personal computers
  • 6 percent less on housekeeping
  • 11 percent less on new cars
  • 14 percent less on wigs and hairpieces
  • 15 percent less on coffee
  • 19 percent less on bicycles
  • 19 percent less on books
  • 20 percent less on pets
  • 57 percent less on watches
  • 66 percent less on dinnerware

Atlanta spends more:

  • 25 percent more on women's footwear
  • 33 percent on men's suits
  • 35 percent more on women's dresses
  • 63 percent more on lawn and garden