“Jingle Bells” is more than just a catchy Christmas song; it’s the unofficial anthem of a global holiday spending spree. As Santa Claus prepares his sleigh for the upcoming holiday season, we’re unwrapping some fun Christmas statistics that reveal the trends and traditions behind our spending.
From the growing dominance of online shopping to the enduring popularity of certain holiday gifts, we’ll explore the world of Christmas shoppers and examine just how much they’re expected to shell out this Christmas shopping season.
Key Christmas Statistics
Let’s start with statistics we’ve found to be the most interesting:
- 88% of Americans were planning to celebrate Christmas in 2023.
- Canada takes the crown for the highest per capita Christmas spending, with Canadians spending $2,100 annually.
- Over half of Americans (63%) do at least some of their Christmas shopping online.
- A significant 56% of shoppers plan holiday spending using their smartphones.
- Black Friday was the most popular sales day in 2022, with over half of American shoppers intending to buy presents then.
- Gift cards are the most popular Christmas gift, favored by 48% of men and 64% of women.
- The 45-54-year age group spends the most on Christmas ($1,161.98 on average), while 18-24-year-olds spend the least ($649.81).
- Americans underestimate their Christmas gift spending by over $100.
- A surprising 63% of Western consumers plan to use Chinese shopping apps for holiday purchases.
- 37% of Americans planned to spend over $150 on Christmas decorations in 2023.
Christmas Spending Stats
Ever wonder about money spent on Christmas? These Xmas spending statistics reveal insights into consumer behavior:
- On average, men spend almost 10% more on Christmas shopping than women. Men spend an average of $1,046.38, while women spend $952.03.
- The 45-54 age group spends the most, averaging $1,161.98.
- 18-24-year-olds spend the least, averaging $649.81, almost half the highest spending age group.
- Between 95% and 97% of each age group buy gifts for their families.
Average Christmas Spending Worldwide
From twinkling lights to festive feasts, Christmas celebrations come with a price tag. Explore the Christmas spending trends across the globe:
- The United Kingdom, Germany, and France are among the top spenders in Europe, with estimated Christmas expenditures of £88.29 billion, £73.05 billion, and £62.15 billion, respectively.
- Globally, Canada leads in per capita spending at $2,100, followed by Lebanon ($2,058), Germany ($1,453), and the United States ($1,236).
- 26% of German consumers are budgeting strictly for the 2024 holiday season.
- Total Christmas spending has decreased by 1.3% since 2022.
- In 2024, UK holiday shoppers were projected to spend the most on toys, averaging around £40 per person.
Average Christmas Spending in America
The holiday season in America is a whirlwind of gift-giving and festive cheer, translating into significant Christmas sales revenue. Let’s dive into the average Christmas spending in America:
- Americans spend an average of $997.73 per person on Christmas.
- Over half (56%) of the average American’s holiday budget is allocated to gifts.
- Non-gift Christmas expenses average $231 per American, broken down as follows:
- $115 on candy and food;
- $63 on decorations;
- $29 on cards and postage;
- $24 on flowers.
- Regional spending varies:
- Northeast – Highest average expenditure at $1,054.35 per person;
- South – $954.52 per person;
- West – $1,017.20 per person;
- Midwest – $995.68 per person.
Christmas Shopping Statistics
Ever wonder when people start shopping for Christmas or how they do it? Let’s unveil some intriguing Christmas shopping facts:
- Year-over-year retail category changes between 2021 and 2022:
- Online and other non-store sales: +9.5%
- Grocery and beverage: +0.8%
- General merchandise: +3.8%
- Sporting goods: +3.5%
- Health and personal care: +2.8%
- Clothing and accessories: +2.2%
- Building materials and garden supplies: +1.5%
- Furniture and home furnishings: -1.1%
- Electronics and appliances: -5.7%
- Almost half (56%) of the US population begins Christmas shopping before November.
- Black Friday was the most popular shopping day in 2022, with over half of American shoppers buying gifts.
- Only 9% of US citizens wait until December for holiday shopping, and a mere 1% shop after Christmas in January.
- Americans dedicate an average of 5.7 weeks to holiday shopping.
- Sales and discounts are significant for 64% of American Christmas shoppers.
- Merchandise quality (58%) and selection (57%) are also important considerations for US shoppers.
- Layaway services are the least important (4%) factor in holiday shopping.
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Christmas Gift Spending Stats
Now, let’s take a closer look at what kind of gifts are the most popular and whom they are most presented to (plus, let’s examine some post-Christmas returns data):
- Americans underestimate their Christmas gift spend by over $100.
- In 2021, US consumers allocated their Christmas gift budgets in the following way:
- Family: $514
- Friends: $79
- Coworkers: $25
- Other: $30
- Most popular gift categories:
- Gift cards: 48% of men and 64% of women
- Clothing & accessories: 44% of men and 50% of women
- Books & other media: 33% of men and 32% of women
- Electronics: 33% of men and 20% of women
- Sporting goods: 23% of men and 10% of women
- Other: 7% of both men and women
- Parental spending on Christmas gifts per child varies significantly: 19% plan to spend $25-$50, while another 19% plan to spend over $200.
- Post-Christmas return data shows that returns have increased for eight consecutive years, with 27% to 33% of adult Americans expected to make a return before the end of January.
- Nearly 16 billion pieces of mail and packages were delivered in the 2023 holiday season in the US.
Christmas Decoration Stats
From twinkling lights to festive inflatables, Christmas decorations transform homes and businesses into winter wonderlands. But just how popular is this holiday decorating frenzy? Let the numbers speak:
- Many Americans (37%) planned to spend more than $150 on Christmas decorations in 2023. This spending is allocated as follows:
- 70% on ornaments
- 56% on string lights
- 51% on wreaths
- 48% on candles
- 41% on Christmas trees
- Americans purchase Christmas decorations from various sources: 37% from department stores, 36% from discount stores, and 34% online.
- Christmas tree budgets vary by age: 23% of those aged 18-29 plan to spend up to $25, while 25% of those aged 30-49 plan to spend up to $50.
- The US imported $2.82 billion worth of Christmas decorations from China in 2023, representing 88% of total US imports in this category.
Ecommerce and Online Shopping Stats
The rise of ecommerce marketing has dramatically transformed the way we shop, and the holiday season is no exception. Let’s delve into compelling online shopping statistics:
- 22% of Americans plan to spend between $251 and $500 on ecommerce during the holiday season.
- Most (63%) Western consumers intend to use Chinese shopping apps.
- Digital content is expected to account for 5% of gifts this year.
- Brand websites are the most popular online shopping channel in the UK and EU, with 30% of British consumers starting their shopping journey there.
- The growing trend of online holiday shopping is evident in the $201.32 billion US shoppers spend online during the 2020 holiday season.
Online Christmas Shopping
Gone are the days of battling crowded malls and endless lines. Today, the digital world offers a convenient and often overwhelming alternative: online Christmas shopping.
Let’s see just how big it has gotten through some decorations and Christmas tree statistics:
- Over half of Americans (63%) do at least some Christmas shopping online.
- Most (71%) Americans plan to shop exclusively online during the 2024 holiday season.
- 34% of Americans intended to purchase Christmas decorations online in 2023.
- Mobile shopping during holidays is prevalent, with 56% planning to use their smartphones for purchases.
- Social media is also becoming a shopping platform, with about one-third (34%) of people planning to use it for holiday shopping.
- In 2023, one-third of retailers made their holiday shipping deadlines visible.
Christmas Spending Trends Over the Decades
Christmas spending has undergone a dramatic transformation over the years. See the change unravel through the numbers:
- US holiday season retail sales have seen year-over-year growth since 2008.
- 2023 holiday sales reached approximately $936.3 billion, more than double the $467.2 billion recorded in 2004.
- Personal gift spending increased by almost 5% from $886 in 2021 to $932 in 2024.
- Holiday retail sales growth slowed to 2.5% in 2024, compared to 4.7% in 2021 and a record 12.4% in 2020.
- Total planned spending on travel, gifts, and entertainment during the US holiday season has steadily increased, reaching an average of $1,638 in 2024.
FAQs about Christmas Statistics
How much do people spend on Christmas?
This varies widely by country. Canadians are the highest spenders at $2,100 per person, followed by Lebanon ($2,058), Germany ($1,453), and the US ($1,236).
How much does the average family spend on Christmas?
Based on available data, a US family of 3 likely spends at least $3500 on Christmas. However, the actual average is likely much higher, potentially well over $4000, depending on individual spending habits and gift-giving traditions.
How much do Americans spend on Christmas?
Americans spend an average of $997.73 per person on Christmas, with over half of that going towards gifts. This includes an average of $231 on non-gift expenses like candy, food, decorations, cards, and flowers. This totals $1,638 in 2024, including travel, gifts and entertainment.
Dive into more Christmas-themed articles to uncover trends, templates and tips that will make your holiday campaigns work like magic:
- 60+ Business Christmas Messages & Wishes For Clients
- 20+ Christmas Newsletter Ideas & Examples
- 17 Cheerful Christmas Email Templates to Boost 2024 Sales
Sources:
- https://www.adlucent.com/resources/blog/10-holiday-stats-every-retail-marketer-should-know/
- https://explodingtopics.com/blog/christmas-spending-stats
- https://financesonline.com/christmas-shopping-statistics/
- https://www.statista.com/topics/3989/christmas-season-in-europe/#editorsPicks
- https://www.statista.com/topics/991/us-christmas-season/
- https://www.gobankingrates.com/saving-money/holiday/how-much-americans-spend-christmas/
- https://nrf.com/research-insights/holiday-data-and-trends/winter-holidays
- https://news.gallup.com/poll/403985/americans-planning-spend-generously-holiday-season.aspx
- https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/insights/articles/us175738_holiday-retail-travel/DI_2022-Holiday-retail.pdf
