More than one-third of U.S. adults say they will spend at least $1,000 on holiday gifts this year, marking the highest share in at least 15 years, according to a new national survey.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
More than one-third of Americans plan to spend at least $1,000 on holiday gifts this year, the highest proportion recorded in at least 15 years, according to the latest CNBC All-America Economic Survey, signaling a notable expansion in high-end consumer spending despite widespread economic unease.
The survey, conducted Dec. 4–8 among 1,000 adults nationwide, found that 36 percent of respondents expect to spend $1,000 or more on holiday shopping. That figure is up sharply from 29 percent last year and 32 percent in 2022, and represents a significant shift from the early 2010s, when roughly one in four Americans reported spending at that level.
Overall planned holiday spending averaged $1,016, nearly unchanged from last year’s $1,014. Among respondents who said they plan to spend anything on gifts, the average rises to $1,199, an increase from $1,154 in 2024.
While high-end spending rose, the distribution of spending in lower and middle ranges remained relatively stable. About 22 percent of respondents said they plan to spend less than $200, while 20 percent plan to spend between $200 and $499, and 19 percent expect to spend between $500 and $999. Those shares closely track historical norms.
The data point to a widening segment of households with both the capacity and willingness to spend more heavily during the holidays. Analysts noted that the rise in higher-dollar spending coincides with elevated levels of market participation. The survey found that 60 percent of Americans report having money invested in the stock market, including retirement accounts, near the highest level recorded by the survey.
That financial backdrop contrasts with consumers’ broader economic perceptions. Some 76 percent of respondents described current economic conditions as fair or poor, and 61 percent said their household income is failing to keep up with the cost of living. Even so, only 41 percent said they plan to spend less this holiday season than last year. About 42 percent plan to spend roughly the same amount, while 16 percent said they intend to spend more, slightly above the historical average.
The survey also found unusually high confidence in spending plans. Just 4 percent of respondents said they were unsure how much they would spend on holiday shopping, among the lowest uncertainty levels recorded in the survey’s history, suggesting consumers feel more settled about their budgets than in prior years.
Holiday spending intentions varied little by political affiliation. Among registered voters, 37 percent of Democrats and 39 percent of Republicans said they plan to spend $1,000 or more on gifts, a difference within the survey’s margin of error.
Taken together, the findings suggest that while many Americans remain pessimistic about the broader economy, a growing share of households continues to demonstrate financial resilience and confidence in discretionary spending during the holiday season.
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