GITNUX REPORT 2024

Christmas Emerges as the Most Popular Holiday In America

From Christmas to Independence Day: Americas Favorite Holidays Revealed in Latest Statistics.

Author: Jannik Lindner

First published: 7/17/2024

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46% of Americans say Christmas is more of a religious holiday than a cultural one

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Christmas is the most popular holiday in America

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75% of Americans believe Christmas is celebrated too commercially

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51% of Americans say they feel stressed during the holidays

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73% of Americans consider Thanksgiving to be an important holiday

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40% of all engagements occur between Thanksgiving and Valentine's Day

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The average American gains 1 pound during the holiday season

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Americans plan to spend an average of $942 on Christmas gifts

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46 million turkeys are eaten each Thanksgiving

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$1.6 billion is spent on fireworks for July 4th celebrations

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$10.6 billion is expected to be spent on Halloween

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$25.9 billion is expected to be spent on Valentine's Day

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$31.7 billion is expected to be spent on Mother's Day

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$20.1 billion is expected to be spent on Father's Day

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$21.6 billion is expected to be spent on Easter

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$6.85 billion is expected to be spent on St. Patrick's Day

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$486 is the average amount spent per person on Memorial Day weekend

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$400 is the average amount spent per person on Labor Day weekend

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$185 is the average amount spent per person on New Year's Eve

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46% of holiday shopping occurs online

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Christmas music increases in-store sales by 42%

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25% of personal spending in the U.S. takes place during the holiday season

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20% of annual retail sales occur during the holiday season

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48% of Americans plan to shop on Black Friday

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56% of Americans plan to shop online on Cyber Monday

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Americans spend an average of 15 hours shopping for holiday gifts

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91% of Americans celebrate Christmas

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93% of Americans plan to celebrate Thanksgiving

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79% of Americans celebrate Independence Day

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72% of Americans plan to celebrate Halloween

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54% of Americans celebrate Valentine's Day

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84% of Americans celebrate Mother's Day

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75% of Americans celebrate Father's Day

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58% of Americans celebrate Easter

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66% of Americans celebrate St. Patrick's Day

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62% of Americans celebrate Memorial Day

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55% of Americans celebrate Labor Day

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46% of Americans celebrate New Year's Eve

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88% of Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving

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150 million hot dogs are consumed on July 4th

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69% of Americans plan to hand out candy on Halloween

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58% of Americans plan to celebrate Valentine's Day with candy

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72% of Americans plan to celebrate Mother's Day by giving greeting cards

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61% of Americans plan to celebrate Father's Day by giving greeting cards

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79% of Americans who celebrate Easter plan to have a family dinner

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83% of Americans wear green on St. Patrick's Day

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60% of Americans plan to have a cookout or barbecue on Memorial Day

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55% of Americans plan to have a cookout or barbecue on Labor Day

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54% of Americans plan to stay up until midnight on New Year's Eve

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83% of Americans put up a Christmas tree

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Americans send 1.6 billion Christmas cards annually

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60% of Americans attend a place of worship on Christmas

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86% of Americans buy gifts for family members during Christmas

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Americans consume 150 million pumpkin pies on Thanksgiving

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Americans purchase 20 million real Christmas trees each year

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77% of Americans display holiday decorations in their homes

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66% of Americans have a New Year's resolution

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25% of Americans attend a fireworks display on July 4th

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Halloween is the third most popular holiday for decorating

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1 in 4 Americans travel for Christmas

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The average American travels 275 miles for Christmas

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32% of Americans travel for Thanksgiving

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The average American travels 214 miles for Thanksgiving

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47.7 million Americans travel for Independence Day

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50% of Americans plan to take a summer vacation

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Summary

  • 91% of Americans celebrate Christmas
  • Americans plan to spend an average of $942 on Christmas gifts
  • 46% of Americans say Christmas is more of a religious holiday than a cultural one
  • 93% of Americans plan to celebrate Thanksgiving
  • 88% of Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving
  • 46 million turkeys are eaten each Thanksgiving
  • 79% of Americans celebrate Independence Day
  • 150 million hot dogs are consumed on July 4th
  • $1.6 billion is spent on fireworks for July 4th celebrations
  • 72% of Americans plan to celebrate Halloween
  • $10.6 billion is expected to be spent on Halloween
  • 69% of Americans plan to hand out candy on Halloween
  • 54% of Americans celebrate Valentine's Day
  • $25.9 billion is expected to be spent on Valentine's Day
  • 58% of Americans plan to celebrate Valentine's Day with candy

Tis the season for holiday cheer, where Americans don their festive attire and wallets open wide. From the jingle of Christmas bells to the sizzle of Fourth of July fireworks, the holiday spirit is alive and kicking in the Land of the Free. With 91% of the nation reveling in the joy of Christmas, planning to splurge $942 on gifts, and gobbling up 46 million turkeys on Thanksgiving, its clear that Americans know how to celebrate with a bang—and a gobble. So, buckle up for a sleigh ride through the stats and stories that make Christmas the star at the top of the holiday tree and the most beloved season in America.

Cultural Significance

  • 46% of Americans say Christmas is more of a religious holiday than a cultural one
  • Christmas is the most popular holiday in America
  • 75% of Americans believe Christmas is celebrated too commercially
  • 51% of Americans say they feel stressed during the holidays
  • 73% of Americans consider Thanksgiving to be an important holiday
  • 40% of all engagements occur between Thanksgiving and Valentine's Day
  • The average American gains 1 pound during the holiday season

Interpretation

The statistics on America's favorite holidays offer a festive mix of tradition, sentimentality, and perhaps a touch of cynicism. Christmas reigns supreme as the most popular holiday, with a tinsel-covered paradox of being viewed both as a religious cornerstone and a commercial extravaganza. While Thanksgiving earns respect as an important celebration, the weight of the holiday season is felt not just on waistlines but also in stress levels. And let's not forget the seasonal spike in engagements, proving that love truly knows no caloric limit. As we navigate this jolly rollercoaster of traditions and obligations, it's clear that the holidays bring us together, for better or for worse, as we cherish, stress, feast, and love our way through the most wonderful time of the year.

Economic Impact

  • Americans plan to spend an average of $942 on Christmas gifts
  • 46 million turkeys are eaten each Thanksgiving
  • $1.6 billion is spent on fireworks for July 4th celebrations
  • $10.6 billion is expected to be spent on Halloween
  • $25.9 billion is expected to be spent on Valentine's Day
  • $31.7 billion is expected to be spent on Mother's Day
  • $20.1 billion is expected to be spent on Father's Day
  • $21.6 billion is expected to be spent on Easter
  • $6.85 billion is expected to be spent on St. Patrick's Day
  • $486 is the average amount spent per person on Memorial Day weekend
  • $400 is the average amount spent per person on Labor Day weekend
  • $185 is the average amount spent per person on New Year's Eve
  • 46% of holiday shopping occurs online
  • Christmas music increases in-store sales by 42%
  • 25% of personal spending in the U.S. takes place during the holiday season
  • 20% of annual retail sales occur during the holiday season
  • 48% of Americans plan to shop on Black Friday
  • 56% of Americans plan to shop online on Cyber Monday
  • Americans spend an average of 15 hours shopping for holiday gifts

Interpretation

Ah, the irony of Americans celebrating holidays by collectively spending fortunes on gifts, feasts, and fireworks can only be matched by their enthusiasm for bargain-hunting on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. From the lavish splurges on Valentine's Day to the meticulous planning for Mother's Day, it seems that for Americans, no occasion is complete without a hefty dose of consumerism. With online shopping taking a significant chunk of the pie and holiday music acting as the ultimate sales pitch, it's clear that 'tis truly the season to be spending – and spending some more. So, as we merrily deck the halls with wads of cash, let us remember the true meaning of the holidays: retail therapy, of course.

Participation

  • 91% of Americans celebrate Christmas
  • 93% of Americans plan to celebrate Thanksgiving
  • 79% of Americans celebrate Independence Day
  • 72% of Americans plan to celebrate Halloween
  • 54% of Americans celebrate Valentine's Day
  • 84% of Americans celebrate Mother's Day
  • 75% of Americans celebrate Father's Day
  • 58% of Americans celebrate Easter
  • 66% of Americans celebrate St. Patrick's Day
  • 62% of Americans celebrate Memorial Day
  • 55% of Americans celebrate Labor Day
  • 46% of Americans celebrate New Year's Eve

Interpretation

In a country as diverse as America, where opinions and tastes are as varied as pumpkin spice latte options in the fall, one thing unites us all: the undeniable love for holiday celebrations. From decking the halls with boughs of holly to grilling hot dogs in the summer sun, Americans sure know how to party. While Christmas reigns as the undisputed champion of festive cheer, it's heartwarming to see Thanksgiving hot on its heels, giving us all another reason to unbutton our pants and nap on the couch. So whether you're hunting for Easter eggs or hoisting a pint of green beer on St. Patrick's Day, take a moment to raise a toast to the red, white, and blue spirit that unites us all in merriment, regardless of whether you're a New Year's Eve lover or a Scrooge in disguise. Cheers to the holidays!

Traditions

  • 88% of Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving
  • 150 million hot dogs are consumed on July 4th
  • 69% of Americans plan to hand out candy on Halloween
  • 58% of Americans plan to celebrate Valentine's Day with candy
  • 72% of Americans plan to celebrate Mother's Day by giving greeting cards
  • 61% of Americans plan to celebrate Father's Day by giving greeting cards
  • 79% of Americans who celebrate Easter plan to have a family dinner
  • 83% of Americans wear green on St. Patrick's Day
  • 60% of Americans plan to have a cookout or barbecue on Memorial Day
  • 55% of Americans plan to have a cookout or barbecue on Labor Day
  • 54% of Americans plan to stay up until midnight on New Year's Eve
  • 83% of Americans put up a Christmas tree
  • Americans send 1.6 billion Christmas cards annually
  • 60% of Americans attend a place of worship on Christmas
  • 86% of Americans buy gifts for family members during Christmas
  • Americans consume 150 million pumpkin pies on Thanksgiving
  • Americans purchase 20 million real Christmas trees each year
  • 77% of Americans display holiday decorations in their homes
  • 66% of Americans have a New Year's resolution
  • 25% of Americans attend a fireworks display on July 4th
  • Halloween is the third most popular holiday for decorating

Interpretation

Americans sure know how to celebrate, with statistics revealing a delightful mix of traditions and indulgences that make each holiday unique. From turkey feasts at Thanksgiving to fireworks on the Fourth of July, from candy-filled Halloween nights to heartfelt Christmas gift-giving, it seems we have a celebration for every occasion and a tradition for every taste bud. Whether it's gathering around a dinner table or decking the halls with festive decorations, these numbers paint a colorful picture of how Americans come together to mark special moments throughout the year. Holiday spirit, it seems, is alive and well in the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Travel

  • 1 in 4 Americans travel for Christmas
  • The average American travels 275 miles for Christmas
  • 32% of Americans travel for Thanksgiving
  • The average American travels 214 miles for Thanksgiving
  • 47.7 million Americans travel for Independence Day
  • 50% of Americans plan to take a summer vacation

Interpretation

It seems that Americans have truly mastered the art of blending tradition with wanderlust, creating a unique holiday travel culture that rivals any festive spectacle. With numbers higher than Santa's naughty and nice list, it's clear that the spirit of giving extends to sharing miles as well. Whether it's traversing the country for a turkey feast or flocking to the shores for fireworks, Americans certainly know how to celebrate in style. And with half of the nation planning to indulge in a summer escapade, it appears that the only thing hotter than the Fourth of July sun is the American passion for exploration.

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