Summary
- • Christmas is celebrated by 90% of Americans
- • Americans spend an average of $998 on Christmas gifts
- • 26 million Christmas trees are sold in the US each year
- • Mariah Carey's 'All I Want for Christmas Is You' has earned over $60 million in royalties
- • The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree tradition began in 1933
- • Halloween spending in the US reached $10.14 billion in 2021
- • 66% of Americans participate in Halloween activities
- • Skittles is the most popular Halloween candy in America
- • The first Halloween celebration in the US was in 1921
- • Americans purchase 600 million pounds of candy for Halloween
- • Americans eat 150 million hot dogs on July 4th
- • July 4th is the most popular holiday for beer sales in the US
- • The first July 4th celebration was held in 1777
- • $1 billion is spent on fireworks for July 4th celebrations
- • 84% of Americans celebrate Independence Day
Tis the season to be jolly, fa la la la la, la la la statistics! From decking the halls with 26 million Christmas trees to devouring 600 million pounds of Halloween candy, Americans sure know how to celebrate. Mariah Careys royalties might have us all dreaming of a white Christmas, but lets not forget the 150 million hot dogs devoured on July 4th. Whether its love in the air on Valentines Day or turkey on the table for Thanksgiving, grab your favorite holiday beverage and join us as we countdown the most popular holidays in America, one festive statistic at a time.
Christmas
- Christmas is celebrated by 90% of Americans
- Americans spend an average of $998 on Christmas gifts
- 26 million Christmas trees are sold in the US each year
- Mariah Carey's 'All I Want for Christmas Is You' has earned over $60 million in royalties
- The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree tradition began in 1933
- 76% of Americans celebrate Christmas
Interpretation
'Tis the season of jingling bells and empty wallets as 90% of Americans eagerly dive into the gift-giving frenzy of Christmas, collectively dropping a grand total of nearly $1,000 on presents. With 26 million evergreen warriors bravely standing tall in living rooms across the nation, it seems the Christmas spirit knows no bounds. As Mariah Carey's iconic anthem continues to rake in royalties and the Rockefeller Center Tree dazzles onlookers, one thing is certain – whether you're singing carols or sipping eggnog, Christmas remains the reigning champion of holiday festivities for 76% of merry Americans.
Easter
- Easter spending in the US reached $21.6 billion in 2021
- Americans purchase 180 million eggs for Easter
- The first White House Easter Egg Roll was held in 1878
- 90 million chocolate Easter bunnies are produced each year
- 16 billion jelly beans are made for Easter each year
- Americans spend $1.9 billion on Easter candy
- The White House Easter Egg Roll attracts 30,000 people
Interpretation
Easter, a holiday seemingly themed around eggs and rabbits, is nothing short of an extravagant affair in the US, with spending skyrocketing to $21.6 billion in 2021 alone. Not to be outdone, Americans go on an egg-buying frenzy, snatching up a staggering 180 million of them. And who can forget the stars of the show - the chocolate bunnies and jelly beans, with a mind-boggling 90 million bunnies and 16 billion jelly beans being churned out yearly. With a tradition that dates back to 1878, the White House Easter Egg Roll remains a magnet, attracting 30,000 eager participants. Clearly, when it comes to celebrating Easter, Americans spare no expense in indulging their sweet tooth and enthusiasm for quirky holiday traditions.
Father's Day
- Father's Day spending reached $20.1 billion in 2021
- 20% of Father's Day gifts are electronic gadgets
- The first Father's Day was celebrated in 1910
- 72% of Americans celebrate Father's Day
- Neckties are the most popular Father's Day gift
- Father's Day was made a permanent national holiday in 1972
Interpretation
In a world where ties are the go-to gift for dads and electronic gadgets are the new favorite, it seems Father's Day has evolved from a simple celebration to a tech-savvy, fashion-forward extravaganza. With a whopping $20.1 billion spent in 2021, it's clear that dads are getting the royal treatment they deserve. From humble beginnings in 1910 to a permanent national holiday status in 1972, Father's Day has come a long way, showing that even in the ever-changing landscape of gift-giving, honoring dad remains a cherished tradition for 72% of Americans.
Halloween
- Halloween spending in the US reached $10.14 billion in 2021
- 66% of Americans participate in Halloween activities
- Skittles is the most popular Halloween candy in America
- The first Halloween celebration in the US was in 1921
- Americans purchase 600 million pounds of candy for Halloween
- The average American spends $123 on Halloween
Interpretation
As the spooky season descends upon us, it's evident that Halloween is not just a holiday but a thriving economy of its own. With a staggering $10.14 billion spent on decorations, costumes, and candy, Americans are proving that when it comes to celebrating the supernatural, they spare no expense. From the iconic Skittles to the 600 million pounds of sweet treats devoured, it's clear that this holiday is a big (candy-covered) deal. So whether you're a witch brewing potions or a vampire stalking the night, just remember to budget wisely, as the average American shelling out $123 for the festivities knows all too well.
Independence Day
- Americans eat 150 million hot dogs on July 4th
- July 4th is the most popular holiday for beer sales in the US
- The first July 4th celebration was held in 1777
- $1 billion is spent on fireworks for July 4th celebrations
- 84% of Americans celebrate Independence Day
- July 4th is the most dangerous American holiday for drivers
Interpretation
The Fourth of July: where Americans proudly display their love for hot dogs, beer, and pyrotechnics, all in the name of celebrating independence. With 150 million hot dogs devoured, beer sales hitting their peak, and a whopping $1 billion blown up in the sky, July 4th truly lights up the holiday calendar. But amidst the revelry, let's not forget that with great fireworks come great responsibility, as it also marks the most perilous day on the road. So remember, as you toast to freedom and feast on red, white, and blue treats, make sure your celebration ends with a bang - but not on a collision course with trouble.
Mother's Day
- Mother's Day spending reached $28.1 billion in 2021
- 122 million phone calls are made on Mother's Day in the US
- The first official Mother's Day was celebrated in 1914
- 25% of all flower purchases made for the year occur for Mother's Day
- The most popular gift for Mother's Day is greeting cards
- Mother's Day is the busiest day of the year for restaurants
Interpretation
Mother's Day: the one day of the year when we collectively remember to call our moms, shower them with flowers, and take them out to eat. With a staggering $28.1 billion spent in 2021 alone, it's clear that we spare no expense in expressing our gratitude. From the humble greeting card to the luxurious dinner reservation, Mother's Day is the ultimate multitasker – it's a celebration, a phone-a-thon, a floral frenzy, and a culinary marathon all rolled into one. Who says you can't buy love?
New Year's Eve
- New Year's Eve is the most popular holiday for champagne sales
- 1 million people gather in Times Square for New Year's Eve
- The first New Year's Eve ball drop in Times Square was in 1907
- 45% of Americans make New Year's resolutions
- The most common New Year's resolution is to exercise more
- The Times Square New Year's Eve ball weighs 11,875 pounds
Interpretation
As the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve, the world raises a glass of champagne in celebration, making it the most popular holiday for bubbly sales. With a million people packed into Times Square and the iconic ball drop tradition dating back to 1907, it's an event that combines history with modern-day revelry. While 45% of Americans swear to exercise more as their New Year's resolution, perhaps the true feat of strength is in Times Square itself, where the 11,875-pound ball descends to mark the start of a new year filled with promise and potential.
St. Patrick's Day
- St. Patrick's Day spending in the US reached $5.9 billion in 2022
- 13 million pints of Guinness are consumed worldwide on St. Patrick's Day
- The first St. Patrick's Day parade in the US was held in New York City in 1762
- Chicago dyes its river green for St. Patrick's Day using 40 pounds of dye
- 40% of Americans plan to celebrate St. Patrick's Day
- More than 400,000 people attend the St. Patrick's Day parade in Dublin
Interpretation
St. Patrick's Day is more than just a day to wear green and down pints of Guinness – it's become a global phenomenon of green-dyed rivers, extravagant parades, and billions of dollars spent in celebration. With New York City leading the charge with the first parade in 1762 and Chicago going all out by dyeing its river green with what feels like an entire rainbow's worth of dye, it's clear that this holiday is not to be taken lightly. From the bustling streets of Dublin to the crowded bars across America, St. Patrick's Day manages to bring out the Irish spirit in all of us, whether we're truly Irish or just Irish for the day.
Thanksgiving
- Americans consume 46 million turkeys on Thanksgiving
- The first Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade was held in 1924
- The average cost of a Thanksgiving dinner for 10 was $53.31 in 2021
- Thanksgiving is the busiest air travel day of the year in the US
- The first Thanksgiving celebration lasted three days
- The average Thanksgiving dinner preparation time is 7 hours
Interpretation
Ah, the Thanksgiving holiday, where we consume more turkeys than there are stars in the sky, as evidenced by the 46 million sacrificial birds each year. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, now a beloved tradition, has been delighting spectators since 1924 with its giant balloons and pomp. And how much does all this festive feasting cost us? A mere $53.31 for a dinner for 10! No wonder we flock to the skies, making Thanksgiving the busiest air travel day in the US. But let's not forget the origin of it all - the first Thanksgiving lasting a glorious three days, proving that even back then, we knew how to party. So, next time you're elbow-deep in stuffing and gravy, remember, it's all part of the grand tradition that is Thanksgiving, complete with its 7-hour culinary marathon.
Valentine's Day
- Valentine's Day spending reached $21.8 billion in 2021
- 145 million Valentine's Day cards are exchanged annually
- 58 million pounds of chocolate are sold during Valentine's Day week
- The first Valentine's Day box of chocolates was introduced by Richard Cadbury in 1868
- 20% of pet owners give Valentine's Day gifts to their pets
- 14% of Americans send themselves Valentine's Day gifts
Interpretation
Valentine's Day, a holiday synonymous with declarations of love and sweet indulgences, continues to be a significant cultural event, evident in the staggering $21.8 billion spent in 2021. The exchange of 145 million cards and the consumption of 58 million pounds of chocolate highlight the enduring charm of this day. From Richard Cadbury's innovative box of chocolates to modern trends like pet gifts and self-love gestures, Valentine's Day captures the spectrum of human emotion, from sweet romance to cheeky humor, making it a holiday that truly celebrates all forms of love.
