NORMAL - Some local retailers are singing a slightly different holiday tune as they gear up for the season. "We're trying to be a little cautious this year because of the times, but we're hopeful," said Dotti Bushnell, co-owner of The Garlic Press in uptown Normal.

The National Retail Federation predicted holiday sales will rise 2.2 percent in November and December to $470.4 billion. That increase would fall below the 10-year average of 4.4 percent and would represent the slowest growth since sales rose 1.3 percent in 2002.

Another agency, TNS Retail Forward, forecasts just 1.5 percent growth in the fourth quarter, the weakest outlook in 17 years.

That grim feeling is catching on more in Central Illinois after retailers remained cheery despite national struggles last year. Small businesses have carefully made decisions to order the same amount or less merchandise from a year ago, but a sense of hope also still exists in the business community.

The Garlic Press has made smaller orders with the idea it can re-order some products, Bushnell said. Staff also has selected items they're more confident will be popular instead of testing products, she said.

The store cut back most on items that were strictly Christmas related, including decorations and holiday-themed dishes, Bushnell said. The store also has fewer special-occasion vases and candleholders that people store away for most of the year, said co-owner Pam Locsin.

"We don't want it be specific to Christmas and then go to 50 percent off the day after Christmas," Locsin said. "We're scrutinizing everything that comes in to make sure it has a broad appeal."

Aprons and kitchen gadgets will be plentiful this season as more people cook at home, Locsin said. The staff also has bet products that fit in the environmental "go-green movement," like bamboo cutting boards and recyclable melamine mixing bowls, will be popular, Bushnell said.

In terms of Christmas sales, Bloomington's Casey's Garden Shop and Florist counts on people who still will buy season-specific items. Though it's beginning to look like Christmas there, expectations are not soaring.

"It's going to be flat," said Casey Lartz, whose parents own the shop.

Casey's pre-ordered the same number of Christmas trees as last year, also with the idea that if the store is "lucky" it can order more, Lartz said. The shop also has ordered the same amount of ornaments and decorations, he said.

Eastland Mall officials also have heard the bleak holiday predictions but hope the momentum it has experienced this year continues, said General Manager Katie Altrichter.

Sales per square foot at the Bloomington mall have increased significantly year-to-date through August, Altrichter said. Contributing factors include the opening of Hollister and higher gas prices that keep local people from traveling to competing malls, she said.

This year, Eastland also will count on business from local companies with a holiday presence at the mall. In addition to returning holiday tenants, Normal's Wild Country has opened a kiosk, and Bloomington's Beer Nuts will open a store in the Bergner's court, Altrichter said.

Customers likely will cut back on some gifts but make sure they buy other items regardless of the economy, Lartz said.

For example, someone who always decorates a family member's grave site at Christmas won't think twice about spending that cash this year, but the person who usually gives a fruit basket to all his neighbors might hesitate now. Other customers may wait one more year before they replace that 15-year-old Christmas tree but still buy a new wreath, Lartz said.

"Christmas is Christmas," Lartz said. "People usually lose their minds on that."