Christmas Spending Statistics
MilenaAbout 85% of Americans celebrate Christmas every year. Marking the date, however, goes beyond coming together and enjoying the company of your friends and family. In fact, the latest Christmas spending statistics show that Americans and Christians worldwide spend billions on gifts, decorations, and food. While the rising inflation impacted spending around the world, Christmas remains impressive in many ways, shopping included, and we have all the stats to prove it. Scroll down and see for yourself.
Christmas Spending Statistics (Editor’s Choice)
- Americans spend $870 on Christmas gifts on average.
- The average Christmas spending per child is $330.
- Super Saturday retail sales hit a record high of $34.4 billion in 2019.
- Inflation was the top reason for spending less on Christmas purchases in 2022.
- 35% of Americans end up with debt after Christmas spending.
- Americans bought 26.2 million real Christmas trees in 2019, compared to $984 million in 2021.
- In 2022, the average total spending among all Canadians is $1,442.
- New Zealanders spend about $1467 per person for Christmas.
US Christmas Spending Stats and Facts
1. Americans spent an average of $852 on Christmas gifts in 2020, a slight increase in 2022 in which they spent around $870.
This marks a drop from 2019’s $942, which was a record high for the past two decades. The only two times US consumers spent over $900 on gifts were in 2007 ($909) and 2017 ($906). In 2022, however, the brutal inflation prompted Americans to curb their holiday spending.
(Gallup) (Statista)
2. Most Americans plan to spend between $100 and $999 on Christmas gifts.
About 50% of consumers will spend something within this limit, as Gallup’s Christmas spending statistics indicate. Another 31% expect to spend between $100 and $499, while 19% plan to spend between $500 and $999. Over one-third (35%) of consumers expect their Christmas shopping to cost at least $1,000. Only 3% of those who celebrate Christmas plan to spend under $100 on gifts, while 9% said they wouldn’t spend anything.
(Gallup)
3. The 45-54 year age group spent the most, averaging a figure of $1,161.98.
Christmas shopping statistics show that 18-24-year-olds spend the least with an average spending of $649.81. Between 95% and 97% of each age group buy gifts for their families. Decorations are predominately bought by under 55s with between 73% and 80% of each age group getting involved. Less than half (49%) of 65+ year-olds buy Christmas decorations. Below are the data for average spending by age:
- 18-24 – $649.81
- 25-34 – $888.98
- 35-44 – $1,083.74
- 45-54 – $1,161.98
- 55-64 – $999.22
- 65+ – $1,077.41
(Nationa Retail Federation)
4. Inflation was the top reason for spending less on Christmas purchases in 2022.
People are cutting back the most on discretionary spending, including big-ticket products, consumer gadgets, holidays, and home improvement, as well as clothes. More than half (52%) of consumers believe they would spend less on big-ticket items like furniture, up from 39% in February. 47% plan to spend less on clothing, and the same percentage plan to spend less on consumer electronics. 42% will cut back on vacation spending, while 41% will cut back on home renovation products and services.
(EY)
5. 35% of Americans took on debt to pay for their holiday purchases in 2022.
In 2022, more than a third (35%) of Americans borrowed money to pay for Christmas goods, a slight decrease from 36% in 2021. Less than a quarter (24%) of respondents had used buy now, pay later services to finance their 2022 holiday shopping, a decrease from 33% the previous year.
(Retail Dive)
6. In 2021, Northeast and West regions spent the most money on Christmas.
Among the amusing Christmas shopping facts and trends, we have the highest and lowest spenders based on US regions.The vast majority of residents in each region (96%) purchase gifts for their families. 46% of the Northeast purchase other gifts compared to 39% of the West. Below, find the average amount spent on Christmas by residents in the nation’s geographical areas.
- Northeast – $1,054.35
- West – $1,017.20
- Midwest – $995.68
- South – $954.52
(Nationa Retail Federation)
7. Americans spend the most money on gifts for their children.
The average Christmas budget per child in the US is about $330. Americans spend much less on their significant others, parents, siblings, and best friends; $196, $105, $90, and $57, respectively, as RetailMeNot’s Christmas shopping statistics reveal.
(RetailMeNot)
8. Over one-third of Americans plan to begin Christmas and holiday shopping in October.
Statista’s latest Christmas spending forecast shows that 38% plan to start shopping before October ends. About 23% of US shoppers plan to begin shopping before Thanksgiving, while 22% will start on or after Thanksgiving. An additional 15% of Americans will start purchasing gifts and decorations in December, while only 2% will do this in January.
(Statista)
9. Super Saturday retail sales reached a record-high of $34.4 billion in 2019.
Super Saturday has established itself as one of the biggest retail shopping days in the United States. Pymnts’ last-minute Christmas shopping statistics show that Americans spent $34.4 billion. This amount made the last Saturday before Christmas is the single most significant retail sales figure in America. Compared to the last Black Friday statistics, you’ll see that Super Saturday won by 10%.
(Pymnts)
10. Nearly 148 million consumers shopped on Super Saturday in 2019, but it significantly rose to 189 million in 2022.
In 2019, 147.8 million Americans purchased at least one thing on Super Saturday or the last Saturday before Christmas. In comparison, it remarkably grew in 2022 with a total spending of 189 million. According to the data, 71% of buyers spent money on holiday gifts, 40% on dining, and 22% on entertainment. The top reason customers bought on Super Saturday was to take advantage of lower-priced offers and promotions (39%), followed by having more individuals to buy gifts for (37%) and purchasing additional items for people (33%).
(Total Retail)
11. Americans bought 26.2 million real Christmas trees in 2019, compared to $984 million in 2021.
Although many love the smell of fresh pine, the majority of Americans display an artificial Christmas tree: 47% of households, to be exact. Only 24% of households have a real tree, according to Statista’s 2022 data. In 2021, U.S. households spent $984 million on real trees and $1.01 billion on artificial trees.
(Statista)
12. Every year, Americans buy about 1.6 billion Christmas greeting cards.
US consumers purchase 6.5 billion cards each year and spend approximately $7-$8 billion. Christmas spending statistics show that this is the most popular holiday for greeting cards, followed by Valentines’ Day (145 million) and Mother’s Day (133 million). Greeting card prices meanwhile range between $0.50 and $10.
(Greeting Card Association)
UK Christmas Spending Statistics
13. In 2020, British consumers spent about £476 on Christmas shopping, a slight decline wherein it tallied only £430 per person in 2022.
This average spent on Christmas among UK consumers was smaller than the £513 average recorded in 2019. The average consumer spending on Christmas in the country fell by about 10% as Britain was hit by the Covid-19 pandemic alongside the rest of the world.
(Finder)
14. Internet spending represents nearly 45% of all Christmas spending in the UK.
Deloitte’s latest UK Christmas shopping statistics show that 44% of holiday spending happens online. In 2019, the average online Christmas spending in Britain was £250, up by 4.2% compared to 2018. Offline expenditures, in contrast, averaged £318 and were down by 0.6%.
(Deloitte)
15. Debit cards are the most common Christmas shopping payment among British consumers.
About 64% of consumers chose debit cards as their preferred payment method for Christmas spending in the UK. An additional 53% preferred cash, while 36% cited credit cards. This isn’t entirely surprising. The UK is among the countries where cash vs credit card spending statistics point to a negative cash use trend. Only 6% of the respondents made in-store purchases with a digital wallet, while 5% went for alternative options like vouchers, as Christmas spending facts reveal.
(Deloitte)
16. Most Brits purchase Christmas gifts before December starts.
Deloitte’s Christmas spending chart reveals that about 56% of UK consumers do Christmas gift shopping in November and earlier. Among those, 20% make purchases even before November and 36% during the month. About 39% of UK shoppers buy Christmas gifts in December and only 2% in January. About 3% don’t spend money on Christmas gifts at all, according to UK Christmas spending statistics.
(Deloitte)
Christmas Spending Around the World
17. Total retail sales (online and in-store) over the Christmas season in the United Kingdom (UK) are expected to exceed 82.2 billion British pounds in 2022, making it the largest Christmas season spender.
In Germany, retail spending during Christmas is predicted to reach about 73 billion British pounds. Below, find the average amount spent on Christmas in Europe (online and in-store) by country
- United Kingdom – 82.2GBP
- Germany – 73.27GBP
- France– 62.48GBP
- Italy – 37.44GBP
- Spain – 24.91GBP
- Netherlands – 12.87GBP
- Belgium – 9.66GBP
(Statista)
18. Australians spent $17.3 billion on Christmas purchases in 2020, and were planning to spend around $27.3 billion in 2022.
Finder’s Christmas spending statistics for Australia show that the average amount of money spent on Christmas was $893 per household. Aussies spend the most money on travel and presents; $458 and $411, respectively. About $248 and $140 of the total cost of Christmas Down Under go to food and eating/drinking out. And if you’re wondering about the average spending in the different Australian states, we have the numbers:
- New South Wales – $1,488
- Victoria – $1,432
- Queensland – $1,244
- South Australia – $1,200
- Western Australia – $1,379
(Finder)
19. In 2022, the average total spending among all Canadians is $1,442.
Canadian households that earn more are expected to also spend more this holiday season. Higher-income households lead Canadians in holiday spending intentions. Here’s the average expected holiday spend of consumers with a household income of:
- more than $150,000 – $2,112
- between $125,000 and $149,999 – $1,827
- between $100,000 and $124,999 – $1,705
- between $80,000 and $99,999 – $1,642
- between $60,000 and $79,999 – $1,363
- between $40,000 and $59,999 – $1,204
- between $20,000 and $39,999 – $838
- less than $20,000 – $631
(PWC)
20. New Zealanders spend about $1467 per person for Christmas.
The average spending on gifts among Kiwis was $411, a slight decrease compared to what they spend on accommodation/flights which splurge to $439. NZ Christmas spending statistics show that when it comes to food this Christmas, it was found $273 per person will be spent on groceries and $123 on eating out. Additionally, men are set to fork out slightly more than women with an average of $1515 and $1424 spending respectively.
(Finder)
Christmas Spending FAQ
What is the average spending for Christmas?
Americans spend an average of $870 on Christmas gifts. Our Christmas spending statistics show that factors such as location and spending habits affect the average amount spent.
How much money do you spend per child at Christmas?
The average Christmas budget per child depends on various factors. Not all parents have the same parenting strategy and income. Still, the US average amount that parents spend on Christmas gifts is about $330.
How much do UK shoppers spend over Christmas?
Per the latest Christmas spending statistics for UK shoppers, Brits spend an average of £430 on Christmas purchases. That’s about $463 and about $407 less than what Americans are spending. Canadians also spend more on Christmas (CA$1,442 or about $804) than British shoppers.
How much money does Christmas generate?
Christmas accounts for a considerable share of the total winter holiday spending, which also includes Thanksgiving and Hanukkah. Winter holiday spending has been on the rise since 2007, reaching $936.3 billion in 2022.
The Takeaway
Christmas remains one of the most popular holidays in the US, as 90% of Americans celebrate it every year. It is the top holiday for purchasing greeting cards and toys, as the latest Christmas spending statistics reveal. It’s also the reason why over $984 million Christmas trees are bought every season. There’s no doubt that December 25th is a significant date in the US calendar. The holiday is also celebrated in the UK, across Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and many other countries worldwide.
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