Stats & Facts
Spending
- In 2019 the average U.S. consumer spent nearly $1,500 during the winter holiday season. Only about a third of that figure represents the average amount spent on Christmas gifts and gift cards: $511. The remaining $985 goes toward costs like entertaining, going out and buying outfits to wear during festive celebrations.
- 22% of Americans believe their Christmas spending will leave them in debt.
- 32.8 million real Christmas trees were sold in 2018.
- Americans spend over $5 billion on Christmas trees each year.
Holiday Spirit
- According to a national survey, more than 3 in 4 Americans wish that holidays were less materialistic.
- Nearly 9 in 10 believe holidays should be more about family and caring for others, not giving and receiving gifts.
Waste
- Americans generate an average of 25% more waste, or 1 million extra tons per week, between Thanksgiving and the New Year, with the trash almost doubling right after the holidays. In total it amounts to 25 million additional tons of waste between Thanksgiving and Jan. 1 each year.
- Americans use around 8,000 tons of wrapping paper each year during the winter holidays, equal to roughly 50,000 trees.
- More than 2.65 billion holiday cards are sold each year equal to around 8 cards per person in the United States. Cutting this down by just one card would save over 50,000 cubic yards worth of paper.
- Americans waste more than 200 million pounds of turkey over the Thanksgiving holiday.
Try These Gifts That Keep On Giving
- Sixty-six percent of holiday shoppers will pay more for sustainable products, with younger generations leading the way.
- In a survey of American women, 46% report they’d be thrilled to get a weekend break or a holiday, 42% said they’d be happy to receive some credit at their favorite shop, and 36% would love a handmade present.
- In a survey of American men, nearly one-third want gift vouchers but only around 20% actually get them.
In one U.S. survey, the following were given as the top reasons for traveling.
- 82% to relax/reduce stress. This year try a walking meditation outside with a friend.
- 73% to see or do something new. Check out a local obscure site off the beaten path with Atlas Obscura.
- 55% to learn something new about a place/culture or history. No need to travel far, visit a local outdoor historical or cultural site.
- 40% to continue a family tradition. Take a hike or geocache in a local park this holiday season
Holiday Advice
Corina, AZ
Corina, AZ
Corina, AZ
“What I did for gifts when I was a poor college student was do paint-by-numbers and frame them and give them to friends – it doubled as my decompressing/ relaxing time and also as a gift!”
Ashley, AZ
Corina, AZ
Corina, AZ
“My partner recently got me a cooking class over Skype for my birthday. I just signed up to do it in a couple weekends – I’ll be making homemade ravioli with someone in Italy!”
Sarah, NY
Corina, AZ
Sarah, NY
“One winter break I was home and offered to organize my sister’s room. She is a sentimental T-shirt collector and I convinced her to pick her favorites she wasn’t actually wearing anymore for me to make into a T-shirt quilt. I shared my skills of organization and gave a handmade gift of a quilt.”
COVID-19 ALERT
Some of these suggestions aren’t advisable during the pandemic.
Please follow all CDC guidelines and keep these tips in mind when we are able to safely gather together again.