NEW ORLEANS -- Now that hurricane season is over, it's the season for giving.

But this holiday season might feel a little different because of the struggling economy.

Major shopping centers, including Lakeside Mall, are getting a first look at how businesses are doing after Black Friday.

"I did not want to brave it Friday, but I thought it would be almost as bad today," shopper Tricia Thillpott said. "It's not."

There weren't many shoppers at the mall early Sunday. But mall officials said there has been a steady stream of bargain hunters all weekend.

"At Lakeside Shopping Center, we are pleased with the traffic that we have has this weekend," said Mel Grodsky of the Lakeside Merchants Association. "It held up really well Saturday. The bargains continued and we know that they are going to continue."

Merchants said that shoppers are paying even closer attention to price tags this year, even when purchasing designer items

Consumer habits in New Orleans are simply a reflection of cautious shoppers this season. But even if budgets are limited, some shoppers said that gift giving doesn't have to be.

"By shopping sales, you can spend less on each person, still give gifts and cut back on your overall costs," shopper Dana Bilich said.

Bilich said her family hasn't been affected much by the economic downturn.

The head of the Lakeside Merchants Association said that's because as New Orleans continues to recover from Hurricane Katrina in terms of bricks and mortar, for retailers that could generate more dollars and cents.

"With the growth and rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina, we feel we are going to have a great Christmas," Grodsky said. "We believe that the economy here is a little different, and it has shown up in our sales. Based on this weekend, there is money out there to be spent."

Lakeside officials also attribute the steady flow of shoppers to the fact that mall has more stores than ever this year with several new additions.

The head of the Lakeside Merchants Association said a good indicator of the shopping season will be sales during the 10-day stretch prior to the Christmas holiday.