Americans are expected to spend about $902 a head at Christmas. This sum is smaller than Canada’s per-person outlay that sits alongside nearly $1 trillion in U.S. holiday retail sales. This reveals an economy that spends big even when individuals say they will pay more.
According to data compiled by Exploding Topics, using figures from the National Retail Federation and Gallup, total US holiday retail sales are projected to reach roughly $994 billion. This places Christmas among the most economically significant periods of the year.
|
What We Looked At |
The Numbers |
| Average spent per person | Around $902 |
| Expected vs. actual spending | People plan ~$1,012 but spend closer to $902 |
| Total U.S. holiday sales | About $994 billion |
| Portion spent on gifts | 70–71% |
| Money spent on non-gifts | A few hundred dollars per household |
| Shopping online | Over 60% of shoppers |
| When people start buying | As early as October |
| Highest spenders by age | Ages 45–54 |
| Lowest spenders by age | Retirees |
| Regional differences | Northeastern households spend ~$100+ more than those in the South |
| How the U.S. compares internationally | Less per person than in Canada |
Spending expectations continue to exceed reality. Gallup surveys show that Americans consistently say they plan to spend more than they ultimately do. This raises the expected budgets to cross $1,000 while actual spending settles closer to $900. This $110 gap highlights the recurring patterns in consumer behavior.
|
Category |
Share / Average Estimated Spending |
| Overall average expected spending on gifts | $1,012 |
| Percent saying they’ll spend more than last year | ~19% |
| Percent saying they’ll spend less than last year | ~23% |
| Percent saying they’ll spend about the same | ~55% |
| Highest spending groups | Upper‑income, parents of children under 18, and Republicans averaging >$1,200 |
| Religious influence on spending | Christians plan ~$300 more than non‑Christians |
Gift purchases are the dominating element of the holiday budgets. Around 70-71 percent of total Christmas spending is reported to go toward gifts. In comparison, the remaining is set for non-gifting categories, such as travel and other entertainment. An average non-gift spending now reaches several hundred dollars per household. This reflects a broader definition of holiday consumption beyond traditional presents.
E-commerce plays a central role in how Americans spend. More than 60% of holiday shoppers buy gifts online. And most of them start their purchases before December. All the early sale events in October and November effectively extend the Christmas season. This shifts spending earlier while maintaining overall totals. This shift strengthens the position of large platforms such as Amazon, while focusing on traditional retailers that adapt to pricing and delivery strategies.
|
Income Group |
Expected Gift Spending |
| Lower‑income households (under ~$50,000) | About $651 on holiday gifts |
| Middle‑income households (~$50,000–$99,999) | About $847 on holiday gifts |
| Higher‑income households ($100,000+) | About $1,479 on holiday gifts |
| Lower‑income outlook | 18% say they will spend more, 50% about the same, 30% less |
| Higher‑income outlook | 23% say they’ll spend more |
Age is one of the strongest predictors of spending levels. Americans aged 45 to 54 spend the most on Christmas, supporting multiple generations through gift-giving. Younger adults spend less, while retirees show more restrained holiday budgets. This reflects the difference in income and financial priorities.
Geography also influences spending patterns. The households in the Northeastern United States report higher Christmas spending than those in the South. This difference often exceeds $100 per person. All these regional gaps reflect broader cost-of-living and income disparities. This reinforces the uneven financial impact of the holiday season across the country.
Considering all these pointers, the data points to a familiar but measurable contradiction. Surveys show caution and tighter budgets, while actual spending continues to climb year after year. The Christmas in the US is not driven by unchecked individual excess, but by millions of moderate purchasing decisions. These combine and generate nearly a trillion dollars in seasonal economic activity.
