A Middle Class Christmas

Editor: Matthew Williams

The Maxwell’s consider themselves a typical, middle class family, living a typical middle class life in the suburbs of Southern California. But, the economic downturn hit the Maxwell’s hard and they’re re-thinking what it means to be Middle Class, especially this holiday season.

“In three years we’ve gone from being a Whole Foods family to a food bank family,” says mom, Nikki. Nikki has been out of work since September and her husband Bill’s career opportunities have dried up since the writer’s strike. Bill’s a video game writer and his contract ends in February. The Maxwells only have enough money to get them through the new year, but they remain hopeful. “We see this whole period as a giant season of joy,” says Nikki with a genuine smile, “it’s still going to look like that this year even though it won’t be as expensive.”