In 2024, consumers in the United States expected to spend over one thousand U.S. dollars on holiday gifts on average. This is the first time the projected spending estimate reached that one thousand-dollar-mark. Holiday shopping The Christmas, or holiday season, is the single most critical sales period of the year for many retailers: this period includes days, such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and an increasing amount of Americans also shop online during this busy time. An incredible shopping hubbub is produced during this period, with a staggering 95 percent of U.S. consumers having said they intended to buy something during the Christmas season in 2024. Gift cards and vouchers Christmas is a public holiday in the United States and is celebrated on December 25th each year. It is known as a big economic stimulus for many people to purchase Christmas gifts for their beloved family and friends. After Christmas and New Year’s Eve, retail sales often peak again in January as many people redeem their received Christmas gift cards and vouchers. In fact, over half of U.S. consumers planned to buy gift cards or gift certificates for others. It is a popular gifting option, with many Americans indicating that it can be very convenient.

According to a recent study, average spending per head during the Christmas period in 2023 is expected to vary between just below 700 British pounds in North East to around 980 British pounds in London in the United Kingdom (UK).

In 2024, about 52 percent of consumers in the United States intended to spend roughly the same amount of money on Christmas goods as they did in the respective previous year. A quarter of American respondents intended to spend less for Christmas, whilst 20 percent expected to spend more. Christmas celebrations in the U.S. In the United States, Christmas is one of the biggest holidays of the year: according to a survey, roughly eight and a half out of 10 Americans stated they would celebrate the holiday. Only about 10 percent of Americans were not planning to partake in any celebrations. Holiday promotions In the past few years, holiday retail sales in the United States have skyrocketed. In 2023, U.S. holiday retail sales figures reached just over 950 billion U.S. dollars, which was an increase of some 20 billion just compared to the year before. The winter holiday season includes shopping occasions, such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday. On days such as these, retail products are somewhat to significantly cheaper, making them opportune moments for holiday shopping. When asked when they would likely start their holiday shopping, about 40 percent of U.S. consumers said they would begin in November already, i.e., when these major sales events take place.

In the 2024 holiday season, the average Christmas spending on gifts in the United Kingdom (UK) was forecast to be slightly higher compared to the previous year, although this wasn't the case for all categories. In 2024, UK consumers were expected to spend the most money on toys, at around 40 British pounds on a per capita basis.

This statistic shows the results of a survey conducted in the United States in October to November 2024. U.S. consumers were asked how much they usually plan to spend on Christmas gifts for their children. During the survey, 16 percent of the respondents said that they plan to spend more that $200 on Christmas gifts per child.

Of the average household Christmas budget in Canada, the majority is spent on gifts, according to data compiled in 2023. Decorations were calculated to be the next biggest expenditure, only narrowly beating food. The budget for this data refers to the calculated cost of how much the average Canadian spends on Christmas items, rather than the budget Canadian holiday shoppers set for themselves. Canadian Christmas budgets The holiday season is a busy time in the retail sector, with consumers typically spending more than usual. With so many presents to buy, special events, parties, and gatherings, it is no wonder that the majority of consumers spend even more than they planned for over the Christmas period. A fair share of shoppers exceeded their budget by over one thousand Canadian dollars. But it would appear this spending comes from a place of love, as the consumers in Canada planned to spend the most money on their family. The lingering effects of COVID-19 Whilst it looks like Christmas will not be affected by coronavirus as much as in 2020, consumers still have reservations going into the holiday shopping season, above all crowded stores, and the risks that being in close proximity with many people brings. A further, indirect result of the pandemic is the delayed supply chain. Many shoppers worry that their goods will not reach them in time for Christmas, or that they may not be available at all.

This year, the highest spending on Christmas gifts in Europe is expected to occur in the United Kingdom (UK), where shoppers are expected to spend an average of 336 euros on Christmas gifts. Those living in the Netherlands are set to have the cheapest Christmas when it comes to gift-giving, with an expected spend of 122 euros. The European average sits at 193 euros for Christmas gifts.

Overall expenses for general Christmas celebrations in the UK are expected to exceed 600 euros.

Online Christmas

The same survey found out that invariably, gifts make up the biggest part of Christmas spending by consumers, followed closely by on food. Consumers were expecting to make their Christmas shopping predominantly in-store, however, online channels showed prospects for growth. The average online Christmas budget increased by 4.7 percent, compared to just 2.6 percent improvement expected in in-store shopping for Christmas.

European Christmas retail spending stalls

Typically, during the last quarter of the year, retail sector sees spikes in spending. In 2017 and 2018, Christmas retail spending in Europe saw growth rates of 1.8 percent. This Christmas, however, spending is forecast to stagnate, and drop from the previous levels for many European countries.

The planned expenses for annual Christmas presents in Germany amounted to just over 533 euros per person in 2024. This was an increase of almost 30 euros compared to the previous year.

In 2024, Millennials shared that they planned to spend the most on holiday gifts, with an average of over 870 British pounds each. Consumers aged 79 and over followed, with a planned average spend of about 825 British pounds.

A survey conducted among Australian shoppers in October 2023 revealed that Gen X consumers were expected to spend the most on Christmas presents during the holiday period, with an estimated average spend per person of around 408 Australian dollars. In comparison, Gen Z's average spend on presents was estimated to come to around 281 Australian dollars.

In 2024, about 35 percent of consumers in Italy planned to spend between 100 and 249 euros for Christmas gifts. Only eight percent of surveyed respondents intended to spend between 500 and 999 euros that year.

According to a 2022 survey, adults in Great Britain were planning to spend about 100 pounds on travel over the Christmas period, a third less than the expected spend in the previous year. The biggest expected expenditure was on gifts, at around 300 pounds on average.

This statistic displays the average amount consumers plan to spend on Christmas presents in 2015 in selected European countries. The United Kingdom (UK) had the highest spend, with consumers expecting to budget 420 euros for Christmas gifts.

In 2021, spending on Christmas shopping in Poland will be 11 percent higher than in 2020. Poles plan to spend on Christmas presents 546 zloty.

In 2024, German Christmas gift shoppers were willing to spend the most on smartphones and travel. The survey at hand shows the average maximum amount consumers in Germany are willing to spend on Christmas gifts in 2023.

In 2024, Italians will spend on average 207 euros per capita on Christmas gifts. This consists of a peak in the depicted timeline and especially compared to 2021, when this figure added up to 158 euros.

According to the results of a survey carried out in 2024, Spanish families had one of the highest budgets for Christmas gifts that year, nearly 500 euros. French families planned to spend slightly over 470 euros.

In a survey conducted in October 2023 among Australian consumers, the estimated average spend per person at Christmas in Australia was around 1,479 Australian dollars. During the survey period, it was estimated that the average spend per person on presents during the 2023 holiday period would be around 533 Australian dollars. By comparison, the estimated spending on presents during the same period was just over 370 Australian dollars per person.

In the Netherlands, average expected consumer spending on Christmas gifts was higher than on Sinterklaas gifts in 2021. For example, Dutch consumers aged 30 to 59 planned to spend an average of about 150 euros on Christmas presents, while intending to spend about 120 on gifts for Sinterklaas.

A survey conducted among New Zealand shoppers in November 2022 revealed that during the 2022 Christmas period New Zealanders are expected to spend the most on travel costs, with an estimated average spend of around 439 New Zealand dollars. New Zealanders are also estimated to spend on average around 411 New Zealand dollars on Christmas presents.