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Unsure whether shoppers will be back in the giving spirit, this holiday season, local shopping centers plan to keep filling their stores through promotions and family-friendly events.

The Maryland Retailers Association is forecasting an overall 1 to 1.5 percent gain in holiday sales this year over last year. Maryland retailers saw a 5 percent decline last year as the economy nosedived, and there was a smaller drop in 2007, said Tom Saquella, MRA president.

"The worst is over, and things are starting to turn," Saquella said. "But retailers still face a long road to recovery."

Holiday sales are those occurring in November and December, the two months when retailers typically make about 20 percent of their revenue for the year.

"A ton of people were at the mall during Halloween so if that's any indication of the season to come, we think it will be good," said Victoria Clark, marketing director for the Mall at Prince Georges in Hyattsville, adding that foot traffic often transfers to sales. She expects good sales to come from electronics, children's clothing, denim products, video games and wireless products.

The mall is also gearing up for its Holiday Unwrapped event this Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, offering shoppers the chance to win $25,000. Each shopper who spends $75 at the mall will be given a candy bar (limit three bars per day) from customer service; the wrapping will serve as the shopper's entry form. The contest runs from Nov. 27 through Dec. 13, with the winner announced Dec. 14.

Black Friday for the mall begins at 5 a.m. this year, with goody bags provided to the first 800 shoppers.

"Retailers are getting ahead of the holiday season. Some stores are already in the full holiday swing," Clark said, referring to chains such as J.C. Penney, who kicked off its holiday season early this month. She said J.C. Penney, Macy's and Victoria's Secret are currently hiring for the season.

Last year, retailers across the country hired only 231,000 seasonal workers, down 63 percent from 2007 and the lowest number in the last decade, according to the National Retail Federation.

Clark said stores are also seeing more people using layaway plans, which she thinks will be another incentive this year.

"I think it will be comparable to last year... Customers are still on budget; it's not business as usual. People are still holding onto those credit cards," she said. "But we are seeing customers coming out for those early sales."

Bowie Town Center is also going the promotional route with its Shop Smarter Savings program, which includes continuously updates online discounts for the outdoor center's stores.

"People are looking for specials. Anything we can do to help promote the mall is a good thing," said marketing director Kristine Winternitz.

Bowie was also very busy this Halloween, Winternitz said, adding that Halloween is always a big seller at the center.

"We're hoping it will be a fun season and a good season for most people," she said."There's no indication it will be worse than last year."

Bowie Town Center is currently preparing its annual shopping list for customers, advising them of hot selling items.

Over at the open-air Boulevard at the Capital Centre in Largo, executives predict good participation for the center's annual tree lighting and Santa's arrival this weekend.

Ken Baker, general manager for the center, said its entertainment and dining venues have seen the best sales lately, but he expects the new products in the smart phone market to draw people toward those stores as well.

"Sometimes as the Christmas season draws nearer, people become more gracious and want to spend," he said. "Anytime the weather is good, we see a good showing of people. They love walking through the center."

Retailers are also maintaining very tight inventories, Saquella said, so consumers should get out there early, he said.

Staff writer Kevin Shay contributed to this report.