For all of you who spent some hard-earned dollars on your loved ones this holiday season, the nation's retailers salute you.

Final returns are far from in, but WWD reports that many major retailers say they believe they did as well as could be expected. Tight inventory control, careful markdowns and an overall more optimistic climate are to thank, says the extensive story.

We're not talking crazy numbers here: WWD says SpendingPulse, an information service provided by MasterCard Advisors, reports that specialty apparel made "something of a recovery," finishing down 0.4 percent from Nov. 1-Dec. 24, and up 2.3 percent since Black Friday. Women's apparel overall fell 0.3 percent for the season, and was up 1.5 percent since Black Friday.

And one anonymous exec in the story points out that stores generally had less inventory to move this year, so even with good sales, volume would be lower.

But still, this all seems like good news. And a few stores say they even expect to see real growth in 2010.

That's up to us, of course. And for spring, there are going to be some seriously pretty clothes out there. So we say get those wallets ready (be prudent and use cash!) and get ready to buy a few spring dresses all in the name of the economy.

And if you can't wait, there are some great post-holiday sales out there right now, including up to 45 percent off some shoes at endless.com; an extra 20 percent off some sale items and J.Crew; and buy two get two free on Ulta brand beauty products.