Holidays bring celebration and joy, but they can also create significant financial pressure.
We’ve compiled compelling statistics on holiday spending (including Christmas, Easter, Mother’s Day, and more) to help you understand the true financial impact of these special occasions.
Let’s explore the data!
What Holiday Has the Most Consumer Spending?
The winter holidays dominate consumer spending, which comes as no surprise. After all, who can resist buying gifts for loved ones during the most magical time of year?
Christmas consistently claims the top spot for holiday spending, with consumers averaging $997.73 annually.
Mother’s Day follows in second place, then Easter, Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day, with Halloween completing the top six at $102.74 in spending.
Holiday Spending Statistics – Highlights
- 55% of consumers expect to receive clothing or accessories during the holidays.
- The average Thanksgiving weekend spending on holiday-related purchases is $229.21 per consumer.
- In 2015, cash was the preferred payment method for holiday shopping, but now, 60% of consumers prefer debit cards.
- Consumers with annual incomes exceeding $100,000 spend approximately $2,600 on average.
- In 2021, 11.5% of Americans planned on not spending anything during the holiday season.
Consumers with an average annual income higher than $100,000 will spend around $2,600 on average.
(Source: Deloitte)
This statistic proves valuable for businesses seeking to understand their target market and identify their highest-value customers.
High-end brands can leverage this data to pinpoint which demographics are most likely to purchase their products or services during the holiday season.
In 2021, 11.5% of Americans planned on not spending anything during the holiday season.
(Source: Deloitte)
This reveals consumer behavior patterns during challenging economic periods. While some couldn’t afford gifts during the 2020 pandemic, others chose restraint out of caution or financial necessity.
This insight helps businesses anticipate potential sales declines during recessions or economic downturns and adapt their marketing strategies accordingly.
In 2022, 196.7 million Americans shopped in stores and online over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
(Source: National Retail Federation)
Despite pandemic-induced economic challenges, consumers maintained strong holiday shopping enthusiasm—particularly for online purchases! This signals robust spending appetite even during difficult times, offering encouraging news for businesses.
About 27% of Americans say the holidays put a strain on their budgets.
(Source: Bankrate)
Holiday expenses accumulate rapidly. Between gifts, decorations, travel expenses, and festive meals, costs spiral quickly. Bankrate’s survey reveals nearly one-third of Americans experience financial stress during the holiday season.
The most effective way to avoid this stress involves budgeting and advance planning, establishing clear spending limits and strategies to maintain them.
The average person will spend $168 on Easter celebrations.
(Source: National Retail Federation)
Easter ranks as the second-largest retail holiday after Christmas—and spending remains substantial during this spring celebration. The National Retail Federation reports consumers spent an average of $168 on Easter items including candy, decorations, clothing, and more in 2021.
Even with tight budgets, countless creative ways exist to celebrate Easter without financial strain.
Mother’s Day is another major spending holiday, with the average consumer spending around $245.76.
(Source: National Retail Federation)
Mother’s Day generates significant consumer spending, averaging $245.76 per person according to the National Retail Federation. This encompasses flowers, cards, jewelry, and experiences like spa treatments or dinner outings.
While substantially less than Christmas or Thanksgiving spending, this amount still requires careful budget consideration.
65% of holiday shoppers don’t have money set aside or budgeted for their holiday shopping.
(Source: Bankrate)
This surprising statistic underscores a crucial point about holiday shopping—advance planning delivers multiple benefits!
Setting money aside beforehand not only prevents debt accumulation from overspending but also reduces stress by maintaining budget discipline throughout the season.
Retail sales for November and December increased in 2022 by 8%.
(Source: National Retail Federation)
Retail sales jumped 8% in November and December 2022 compared to 2021—demonstrating that despite pandemic challenges, consumers continue robust holiday shopping! With more retailers than ever offering online options, shoppers will have abundant opportunities for great deals this upcoming season.
62% of holiday shoppers agree that it’s important to spend money on holiday celebrations and gifts.
(Source: National Retail Federation)
This statistic reveals that most people recognize the value of investing in special holiday moments. Whether purchasing gifts or decorations, spending money to create memories with family and friends remains essential during this festive season.
56% of consumers enjoy receiving gift cards for the holidays.
(Source: National Retail Federation)
Gift cards rank among the most popular holiday gifts. They can be customized to individual preferences and interests, making them an excellent way to show care without guesswork!
44% of consumers who make under $40,000 say inflation will impact how they shop for holiday gifts.
(Source: Bankrate)
Inflation undeniably affects spending habits. This statistic shows lower-income consumers are particularly conscious of this reality when seeking holiday savings. Shopping for deals and utilizing discounts can help control costs while still finding something special for everyone.
56% of consumers plan to make most of their holiday purchases online.
(Source: National Retail Federation)
The shift toward online shopping continues due to its convenience and accessibility. Additionally, with many stores offering free shipping or volume discounts, online shopping provides excellent money-saving opportunities while avoiding crowds and long lines.
Americans will spend an average of $252 on gift cards for the holiday season.
(Source: Bankrate)
Gift cards have gained popularity because they offer recipients complete freedom in gift selection. Unlike cash, which can be easily misplaced or forgotten, gift cards serve as tangible reminders of your thoughtfulness for years to come.
The most popular types of gift cards to give and receive during the holidays are for restaurants, followed closely by those for department stores, bank-issued cards, and coffee shops.
(Source: National Retail Federation)
These gift card categories offer something for everyone—from food enthusiasts eager to try new restaurants to fashion lovers who enjoy staying current with department store trends!
Out of all age groups, Baby Boomers have the lowest holiday budgets spending an average of $1,199. Millennials spend the most, at around $1,823.
(Source: PWC)
Millennials likely spend more during holidays because they prioritize experiences over material possessions. Research shows millennials value experiences like travel and dining over consumer products such as cars or clothing.
This explains their willingness to splurge on trips or family dinners during the holidays rather than focusing solely on gift purchases.
Baby Boomers show the opposite pattern; research indicates they favor purchasing material goods over experiences. Consequently, they’re less likely to exceed budgets on lavish vacations or expensive meals during holiday spending.
They typically prefer staying within budget constraints, purchasing smaller items like books or clothing for loved ones instead of making large expenditures or vacation investments.
The top holiday toys for kids are Legos, Barbies, Hot Wheels, and cars and trucks.
(Source: National Retail Federation)
Legos, Barbies, Hot Wheels, and cars and trucks dominate children’s holiday wish lists according to the National Retail Federation. This makes perfect sense—these timeless favorites appeal to children across all ages and offer extensive variety in styles and price points.
For Easter, most families spend around $46 on gifts (for those with kids) and $20 (for those without).
(Source: National Retail Federation)
This difference makes sense because certain Easter traditions apply specifically to families with children—like egg dyeing or filling baskets with candy and trinkets—so parents naturally spend more than those without children or whose adult children no longer celebrate Easter traditionally.
55% of consumers expect to receive clothing or accessories during the holidays.
(Source: National Retail Federation)
This expectation stems from two key factors: 1) clothing remains affordable and readily available, and 2) rapidly changing fashion trends create constant demand for new items. Whether statement pieces like jewelry or essentials like socks and sweaters, clothing makes excellent gifts across all demographics.
The average Thanksgiving weekend spending on holiday-related purchases is $229.21 per consumer.
(Source: National Retail Federation)
This statistic demonstrates consumer willingness to spend significantly at the holiday season’s onset. Businesses must recognize this figure to prepare for increased demand and ensure adequate inventory to meet customer needs.
53% of millennials plan to include upcycled or resale items on their holiday shopping lists
(Source: PWC)
This trend illustrates how younger generations increasingly prioritize sustainability in purchasing decisions. Businesses should monitor this shift and consider offering more eco-friendly options while promoting them across multiple channels to reach this demographic.
Providing upcycled or resale items could help companies differentiate from competitors while appealing to customers’ growing interest in sustainability initiatives.
32% of consumers will buy their last holiday gifts before Saturday, December 17, while 5% wait until after December 25.
(Source: National Retail Federation)
This data reveals shopper timing patterns for holiday gift purchases and proves valuable for businesses planning inventory levels or scheduling promotions throughout the season.
In 2015, cash was the preferred payment method for holiday shopping, but now, 60% of consumers prefer debit cards.
(Source: PWC)
This payment preference shift reflects the convenience revolution. While cash dominated holiday shopping in 2015, PWC’s 2018 consumer survey shows 60% now favor debit cards during the holiday season.
This trend highlights debit card convenience over carrying cash. With more businesses accepting digital payments, customers feel increasingly comfortable using debit cards for holiday purchases.
Consumers spend more than $20 billion on Father’s Day spending each year.
(Source: National Retail Federation)
Top Father’s Day gift categories include apparel, gift cards, electronics, home improvement items, and sporting goods. People clearly focus on practical gifts that fathers can enjoy long after the special day concludes.
Final Thoughts: Holiday Spending Statistics
Each year, holidays trigger massive spending surges as people seek gifts, decorations, and special deals. Armed with knowledge of actual spending patterns and their distribution across various holidays, you can make more informed purchasing decisions.
Regardless of your holiday shopping preferences, one truth remains clear—consumers love finding great deals and spending money during the festive season.
