U.S. holiday shoppers planned to spend a record average of $967 per person. Amounts differ sharply by demographic group with parents of young children reaching $1,387 on average. The statistics below detail these variations and their wider economic effects.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, U.S. millennials spent 25% more on Christmas gifts than boomers at $1,100 average
- Christmas retail contributed 20% to annual GDP growth in U.S. 2023
- In 2023, U.S. holiday shoppers planned to spend a record $967 per person on gifts, food, and decorations during the November-December holiday season
- 61% of U.S. shoppers started holiday buying in October 2023
- In 2023, 44% of U.S. shoppers planned to spend $500-$999 on holiday gifts
This year’s Christmas spending remains resilient, with shoppers prioritizing essentials while adjusting to higher costs.
Related reading
01 · Category
Demographic Spending23 stats
01
In 2023, U.S. millennials spent 25% more on Christmas gifts than boomers at $1,100 average
02
Gen Z holiday spending per person was $858in U.S. 2023, 12% above average
03
Parents with children under 18 spent $1,387average on U.S. holidays 2023
04
Single adults without kids averaged $650Christmas spend U.S. 2023
05
Women planned 10% more holiday spending than men at $989 vs $892 U.S. 2023
06
Households earning $100k+ spent $1,500 average U.S. Christmas 2023
07
Low-income families (<$50k) averaged $712 holiday spend U.S. 2023
08
Baby boomers' Christmas spending dropped to $756per person U.S. 2023
09
Hispanic consumers spent $1,050average U.S. holidays 2023
10
Black Americans averaged $912Christmas spend U.S. 2023
11
Urban dwellers spent 15% more than rural on holidays, $980 vs $850 U.S. 2023
12
College-educated spent $1,050vs $780 high school only U.S. 2023 holidays
13
Empty nesters averaged $920Christmas outlay U.S. 2023
14
LGBTQ+ consumers spent 20% more on gifts $1,150 U.S. 2023
15
Seniors over 65 spent $680average U.S. holidays 2023
16
Newlyweds averaged $1,200holiday spend U.S. 2023
17
Remote workers spent 8% more online $750 U.S. Christmas 2023
18
Pet owners added $100extra to holiday budgets U.S. 2023
19
Republicans planned $920spend vs Democrats $960 U.S. 2023 holidays
20
Freelancers averaged $800Christmas spend U.S. 2023
21
Military families spent $950average U.S. holidays 2023
22
Students under 25 spent $450per person U.S. 2023
23
55-64 age group highest spenders at $1,050U.S. holidays 2023
Interpretation
Demographic Spending Interpretation
In 2023, holiday spending varied sharply across groups, with the 55 to 64 age bracket leading at $1,050 while students under 25 spent just $450 and seniors over 65 averaged $680.
02 · Category
Economic Impact19 stats
01
Christmas retail contributed 20% to annual GDP growth in U.S. 2023
02
Holiday hiring added 700,000 seasonal jobs U.S. 2023
03
Retail sector saw 4% GDP boost from Christmas U.S. 2023
04
Small businesses gained $150 billion from holiday sales U.S. 2023
05
Consumer spending drove 70% of holiday economic growth U.S. 2023
06
Imports surged 15% pre-Christmas boosting trade deficit U.S. 2023
07
Charity donations spiked 30% in December to $70 billion annually U.S.
08
Logistics industry revenue up 12% from holiday rush U.S. 2023
09
E-commerce platforms added $50 billion economic value U.S. holidays 2023
10
Tourism from Christmas markets generated €5 billion EU 2023
11
Manufacturing overtime pay increased 18% pre-holidays U.S. 2023
12
Credit card debt rose $50 billion post-holidays U.S. 2023
13
Stock market retail sector up 5% holiday season 2023
14
Food industry sales boosted 25% December U.S. 2023
15
Returns cost retailers $800 billion annually, 20% holiday-related U.S.
16
Gig economy drivers earned extra $2 billion holidays U.S. 2023
17
Inflation adjusted holiday spend down 2% despite nominal rise U.S. 2023
18
Tax revenue from sales tax up 8% December states U.S. 2023
19
Supply chain disruptions cut 1% from projected holiday GDP U.S. 2023
Interpretation
Economic Impact Interpretation
In the United States and the EU, holiday spending translated into broad economic momentum, with consumer spending driving 70% of holiday growth in the U.S. while logistics revenue rose 12% and small businesses gained $150 billion, even as supply chain disruptions reduced projected holiday GDP by 1% and returns cost retailers $800 billion annually.
03 · Category
Overall Holiday Spending30 stats
01
In 2023, U.S. holiday shoppers planned to spend a record $967per person on gifts, food, and decorations during the November-December holiday season
02
Total U.S. Christmas spending reached $989 billion in 2022, marking a 7.8% increase from 2021
03
UK households spent an average of £842 on Christmas in 2023, up 6% from the previous year
04
Global Christmas retail sales are projected to hit $1.1 trillion in 2024, driven by e-commerce growth
05
In 2022, American families averaged $1,000in holiday spending excluding travel
06
Canadian Christmas spending per household was CAD 1,200 in 2023, a 5% rise year-over-year
07
Australian festive season spending totaled AUD 60 billion in 2023
08
In 2023, German consumers planned €450 per person for Christmas gifts alone
09
U.S. online holiday sales hit $243 billion in 2023, up 7.8% from 2022
10
French Christmas market spending reached €22 billion in 2023
11
In 2022, total U.S. gift card spending during holidays was $28 billion
12
Brazilian Christmas retail sales grew 8% to R$50 billion in 2023
13
Japanese year-end spending averaged ¥50,000 per household in 2023
14
In 2023, Italian families spent €1,200 on average for Natale celebrations
15
Spanish Christmas spending per capita was €350 in 2023
16
U.S. Black Friday-Cyber Monday sales totaled $12.4 billion online in 2023
17
Swedish Christmas spending hit SEK 80 billion in 2023
18
In 2022, Dutch holiday spending averaged €700 per household
19
Indian festive season spending reached ₹6 trillion in 2023
20
U.S. projected 2024 holiday spending is $994 billion, up 2.5% from 2023
21
Mexican Christmas retail sales grew 6% to MXN 300 billion in 2023
22
Norwegian yuletide spending per person was NOK 5,000 in 2023
23
In 2023, Belgian Christmas budgets averaged €850 per family
24
South African holiday spending totaled ZAR 100 billion in 2023
25
Finnish Christmas spending reached €1.5 billion in 2023
26
U.S. Cyber Week 2023 sales were $13.3 billion
27
Austrian Weihnachten spending averaged €600 per household in 2023
28
In 2022, Swiss Christmas expenditure was CHF 8 billion total
29
Danish juleferie spending per capita hit DKK 3,000 in 2023
30
U.S. 2023 holiday retail sales increased 3.7% to $957.3 billion adjusted
Interpretation
Overall Holiday Spending Interpretation
American holiday spending is set to keep climbing, with U.S. shoppers projected to reach $994 billion in 2024, up 2.5% from 2023, while online sales also surged to $243 billion in 2023.
More related reading
04 · Category
Shopping Behavior20 stats
01
61% of U.S. shoppers started holiday buying in October 2023
02
72% of consumers used credit cards for Christmas purchases in 2023 U.S.
03
Online shopping comprised 40% of holiday sales U.S. 2023
04
55% shopped Black Friday in stores U.S. 2023
05
Cyber Monday saw 80 million U.S. shoppers online 2023
06
38% used buy now pay later for holidays U.S. 2023
07
Mobile commerce hit 55% of e-holiday sales U.S. 2023
08
65% made returns post-Christmas averaging 15% of spend U.S. 2023
09
Social media influenced 49% of gift buys U.S. 2023
10
52% comparison shopped across retailers U.S. holidays 2023
11
Last-minute shoppers (Dec 20+) spent 20% more U.S. 2023
12
70% prioritized deals over brands U.S. Christmas 2023
13
In-store pickup used by 42% to avoid shipping U.S. 2023
14
28% bought for self during holidays U.S. 2023
15
Loyalty programs swayed 60% of purchases U.S. 2023
16
45% abandoned carts due to high shipping U.S. holidays 2023
17
Voice shopping via Alexa up 25% holidays U.S. 2023
18
67% read reviews before buying gifts U.S. 2023
19
Green/sustainable gifts chosen by 35% U.S. Christmas 2023
20
50% used apps for deal hunting U.S. holidays 2023
Interpretation
Shopping Behavior Interpretation
With 72% of U.S. shoppers using credit cards and 70% prioritizing deals over brands, the biggest trend is that most holiday spending is increasingly driven by payment flexibility and bargain hunting.
05 · Category
Spending By Category25 stats
01
In 2023, 44% of U.S. shoppers planned to spend $500-$999 on holiday gifts
02
Gift spending accounted for 52% of total U.S. holiday budgets in 2023, averaging $524 per person
03
Food and candy purchases made up 15% of Christmas spending, or $145 average in U.S. 2023
04
Home decorations represented 12% of holiday outlays, $116 per U.S. consumer in 2023
05
Clothing and apparel spending for holidays averaged $92per person in U.S. 2022
06
Electronics and gadgets took 18% of gift budgets, $189 average in 2023 U.S.
07
Toys and games spending reached $25 billion in U.S. holidays 2023
08
Jewelry as holiday gifts averaged $150per purchase in U.S. 2023
09
Books and media accounted for 5% of Christmas gifts, $52 average spend U.S. 2023
10
Personal care items spending was $38per person during U.S. holidays 2023
11
Experiences like concerts took 8% of budgets, $77 average U.S. 2023
12
Home entertainment systems spending hit $10 billion U.S. holidays 2023
13
Candy and sweets holiday sales were $4.5 billion in U.S. 2023
14
Pet gifts during Christmas averaged $55per U.S. owner in 2023
15
Charitable donations as holiday spending reached $15 billion U.S. 2023
16
Travel-related holiday expenses averaged $1,200per U.S. family in 2023
17
Alcohol and beverages for Christmas parties cost $120average U.S. household 2023
18
Cards and wrapping supplies spending was $25per person U.S. 2023
19
Toys dominated kids' gifts at 35% of category spend, $200 average U.S. 2023
20
Fashion accessories holiday sales $8 billion U.S. 2023
21
Kitchenware gifts averaged $80per recipient U.S. 2023
22
Sports equipment holiday spend $3 billion U.S. 2023
23
Beauty products Christmas sales up 10% to $2.5 billion U.S. 2023
24
Video games holiday revenue $7 billion U.S. 2023
25
Flowers and plants for holidays $1.2 billion U.S. 2023
Interpretation
Spending By Category Interpretation
Across U.S. holiday budgets in 2023, gift spending averaged $524 per person and made up 52% of spending, showing that nearly every major category still orbits around what people choose to give rather than what they buy for themselves.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Felix Zimmermann. (2026, February 13). Christmas Spending Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/christmas-spending-statistics
MLA
Felix Zimmermann. "Christmas Spending Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/christmas-spending-statistics.
Chicago
Felix Zimmermann. 2026. "Christmas Spending Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/christmas-spending-statistics.
Sources & references
85 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level