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55+ Christmas Spending Statistics: Holiday Trends You Need to Know [2025]

January 8, 2025·

Manisha Saini·7 min

Where are you going to spend your Christmas money?

Most of us (nearly 80%) are going to dedicate most of it to gifts worldwide.

In the U.S. alone, Christmas spending hit a whopping $950 billion in 2023, a $20 billion jump from the previous year! And this year, 35% of shoppers are planning to spend over $500, while 4% are keeping it under $50. Where do you fit in?

But here's a fun twist: Canadians lead the pack globally, spending an impressive $1,717 on Christmas last year, while Americans averaged $1,205.

Let’s dive deeper into the numbers and uncover the trends shaping Christmas spending this holiday season!

Key takeaways

Americans spend an average of $1,205 during the Christmas season, with gifts taking the largest share.
In 2023, total holiday spending in the U.S. reached over $950 billion, marking a $20 billion increase from the previous year.
Canadians spend the most globally, averaging $1,717, while spending in countries like Spain has risen by nearly 49% in recent years.
People aged 45-54 are the biggest holiday spenders, averaging $1,161 annually. Women spend 10% less on shopping compared to men.
Millennials lead the online shopping trend, with 62% preferring to shop via smartphones during the holiday season.
Americans spend around $60 on Christmas decorations, with eco-friendly options and LED lights growing in popularity.
65% of Americans start their Christmas shopping before the end of November, with a focus on discounts, free shipping, and easy returns.

General Christmas spending statistics

On average Americans spend $1205 each Christmas.

In 2023, the total amount spent on holiday shopping in the US was over $950 billion.

It was a surge of $20 billion from the previous year.

8 in 10 people are looking forward to buying gifts this Christmas and you are most probably one of those!

How much are you expecting to spend this Christmas?

35% of consumers will spend over $500 on Christmas in 2024.
16% of consumers said that they would spend between $200 and $299 this Christmas.
While 4% shared that they plan to spend less than $50.

80% of people across the globe spend the maximum of their Christmas money on gifts.

79% of people said that they will spend their money on food, while 36% will most likely spend on alcoholic drinks.

Americans have been reported to be spending 1.6% of their household income on Christmas.

Christmas spending by demographics

Who do you think spends most on Christmas?

Statistics suggest that people in the age group of 45 to 54 years spend the most on Christmas with an average of $1,161.98.
Next come the people in the age group of 35-44 years, with $1,082.74 spending on Christmas every year.
It is interesting to note that the youngsters spend the least on Christmas shopping with a total of $649.81 only.

Women ($952.03) spend 10% less on shopping compared to Men ($1,046.38).

When we looked closer, we found that Men spend more on coworkers' gifts while Women spend more on candy and food.

The spenders are evenly distributed across all regions of the US with 96% of people across regions buying gifts for their families. The highest spenders hail from the Northeastern region with average spending of $1,054.35.

Average Christmas spending worldwide

Did you know that Canadians spend over $1717 each year on Christmas Eve?

According to a study conducted by WorldRemit, among the top 20 countries that celebrate Christmas on a huge scale, the following observations were made:

Canadians spent over $2100 in 2022 and $1717 in 2023. This was a big decline of 18.2%.
On the contrary, Germany saw a rise of 13.8% in Christmas spending from $1453 in 2022 to $1653 in 2023.
Surprisingly, Spain spent $742 in 2023, an increment of 48.7% from 2022 ($499).
Total Christmas spending in the US remained the same through the last few years with average spending of $1236 in 2022 and $1205 in 2023.

Rank	Country	Average total spent 2022	Average total spent 2023	Change in expenditure	Food	Decoration	Gifts
1	Canada	$2,100	$1,717	↓ 18.2%	$395	$445	$946
2	Germany	$1,453	$1,653	↑ 13.8%	$276	$275	-
3	US	$1,236	$1,205	↓ 2.5%	$147	$231	$826
4	France	$1,127	$1,142	↑ 1.3%	$124	$269	$749
5	Australia	$1,077	$1,118	↑ 3.8%	$380	$248	$524
6	Mexico	$1,076	$1,055	↓ 2%	$167	$343	$544
7	UK	$1,075	$1,042	↓ 3.1%	$121	$193	$728
8	Italy	-	$841	-	$169	$243	$430
9	Spain	$499	$742	↑ 48.7%	$284	$109	$349
10	Netherlands	$679	$657	↓ 3.2%	$194	$136	$327
11	Cameroon	$612	$650	↑ 6.2%	$220	$333	$96
12	Philippines	$569	$614	↑ 7.9%	$366	$42	$205
13	Guatemala	$315	$324	↑ 2.9%	$36	$209	$80
14	Fiji	$290	$278	↓ 4.1%	$36	$163	$79
15	Zimbabwe	$209	$254	↑ 21.5%	$55	$94	$105
16	Rwanda	$258	$239	↓ 7.4%	$78	$80	$81
17	Nigeria	$309	$218	↓ 29.4%	$114	$68	$36
18	Kenya	$212	$215	↑ 1.4%	$46	$49	$120
19	Dominican Republic	$179	$208	↑ 16.2%	$22	$167	$20
20	Colombia	$272	$198	↓ 27.2%	$19	$97	$82

Source: WorldRemit

Christmas online shopping statistics

An average American spends a week’s salary on Christmas shopping.

But what about time? US consumers spend an average of six weeks shopping during the holiday season.

Let’s take a look at the exact figures for the last few years:

Year	Time Spent by Consumers in Shopping
2022	5.8 weeks
2020	5.9 weeks
2019	7.4 weeks
2018	7.1 weeks

Source: Statista

‘Instore lines’ or ‘buy now’, which one are you?

About half of US citizens shop on their Smartphones.

Millennials top this race with 62% doing online shopping for Christmas.

They are closely followed by the Gen Zs with 58% of them doing online shopping.

The use of social media has been increasing year by year with 60% of Gen Z's buying with social media ads and promotions.

64% of people have accepted that Christmas sales and discounts are important for them.

And 47% of shoppers said that free shipping and promotions are very crucial for them.

29% give very high importance to hassle free return policy.

Christmas decoration statistics

Did you know Americans spend an average of $60 on Christmas decorations each year? From lights to garlands, it all adds up quickly!

Over 45% of households use LED lights for their Christmas displays, not just for energy efficiency but also for that extra sparkle!
More families are opting for eco-friendly decorations, with reusable and recyclable options gaining popularity year after year.
Love those oversized Santa and snowman inflatables? So do many others—spending on these larger-than-life decorations has grown by 15% in recent years.
Artificial Christmas trees are a favorite for 75% of Americans, with many households willing to splurge on high-quality, pre-lit options.
Around 30% of Americans go big on outdoor decorations, transforming their homes into festive wonderlands with elaborate light displays.
Interestingly, crafty decorators are making waves, with 20% of households opting to create their own ornaments and garlands to add a personal touch.

So, are you sticking to your favorite classics this year, or trying something new this year?

What are the general gifting habits of people during Christmas?

The most preferable gifts by youngsters are clothing and accessories.

What would you like for a gift this Christmas?- most probably there’s a pattern here!

Gift Category	2023 Spending	2024 Spending Projection	Difference	Percentage of Shoppers	Share of Spend
Clothing and accessories	$309	$279	↓ 9.7%	71%	21%
Food and beverage	$242	$238	↓ 1.7%	63%	16%
Electronics and accessories	$261	$265	↑ 1.5%	52%	14%
Toys and hobbies	$222	$202	↓ 9%	67%	14%
Gift cards	$300	$263	↓ 12.3%	47%	13%
Health and wellness	$193	$203	↑ 5.2%	46%	10%
Home and kitchen	$198	$194	↓ 2%	40%	8%
Pet	$118	$115	↓ 2.5%	39%	5%

Source: Deloitte

Looking at the habits of consumers, it is clear that 65% of Americans start Christmas shopping before the end of November.

And only 34% wait for December to begin their preparations.

FAQs

How much do people spend on Christmas?

On average, Americans plan to spend $1,205 during Christmas in 2025, covering gifts, decorations, and festive meals.

Who spends the most on Christmas?

People aged 45-54 spend the most on Christmas, averaging $1,161.98 annually. Millennials follow closely, but younger generations tend to spend less overall.

How much do people spend on Christmas decorations?

The average American spends around $60 on Christmas decorations, with eco-friendly and LED options becoming increasingly popular.

How much do Americans spend on Christmas gifts?

Gift spending in the U.S. makes up the largest share of holiday expenses, with individuals allocating approximately $641 for presents in 2024.

Conclusion

Christmas spending reflects the joy of the season, with Americans averaging $1,205 and Canadians leading globally. Middle-aged adults spend the most, while millennials drive online shopping trends. Gifts, food, and decorations dominate budgets, with eco-friendly options gaining traction. The data highlights evolving habits while keeping the holiday spirit alive.