Even as marketers try to entice you to buy your loved one that diamond Lexus, they already know that Christmas spending this year will be a disappointment. The lone bright spot for America's forlorn retailers: jeggings.

Christmas spending in general may be "flat to down" this year—but don't tell that to jeggings-wearers!

It wouldn't be a stretch to say that jeggings are the $16 billion denim industry's lone growth category for 2010. While the women's jean market was flat for the past year, sales of jeggings have more than doubled to $178 million, reports NPD Group, the research specialist.

Says here there'll be acid-washed jeggings in time for Valentine's day.

[USAT. Photo via]