Scattered reports from Christmas shoppers indicate that we are indeed in a recession. Nothing earth-shattering has happened yet, but prices are some* v what ?ÛÏsofter,?Û? and stores are starting their sales earlier.</br></br>There?Ûªs also a new camaraderie among shoppers. Their attitude appears to be: it?Ûªs us against them, so we have to stick together.</br></br>Mrs. Julian P. Freret says this is especially noticeable in toy stores. A few years ago, people would load their carts with just about anything that was on display, with little regard for price or quality. This year they?Ûªre tak-' ing time to compare, to consult lists of other prices, and even lists of toys deemed unsafe by various groups.</br></br>. On several occasions, says Mrs. Freret, as she was examining a toy another shopper would come over and say something on the order of: ?ÛÏI wouldn?Ûªt buy that one. It?ÛªåÇ cheaply made and falls apart very quickly?Û? Or: ?ÛÏThat toy has been criticized on safety grounds. Would you like to see what it says in this report??Û?</br></br>Mrs. Freret saysr ?ÛÏIt's a much less frantic scene this year. People are buying, but they?Ûªre buying with much greater care and attention.?Û? Well, it?Ûªs an ill wind that doesn?Ûªt blow a little bit of good somewhere along the line.