During the holidays, financial analysts try to anticipate whether there will be a strong Christmas shopping season based on the amount of money people spend on Black Friday.

As the retail frenzy approaches in just a few days, Patch wants to know if you plan on going out into the shopping madness to snag that "perfect gift."

Business Insider produced an article last year that broke down the numbers, and how that correlated to overall holiday shopping.

In 2009, the Black Friday numbers ($345 per person) showed a downturn in per-person spending over the previous year. That foreshadowed low numbers for retailers during the 2009 holiday season.

The Business Insider article said that in 2010, a strong Black Friday showing (average $365 per person) forecast a big showing for Christmas. In 2011, that number crept closer and closer to the $400 mark, sitting at $398. 

Is this a turn in the right direction on the economy or just a one-day event? Will your family be contributing more or less this year to the retail economy?

Vote in our poll and tell us in the comments why you are spending more or less (or the same amount) than in years past.