Overview
- An NBC News Decision Desk/SurveyMonkey poll finds 55% of U.S. adults plan to spend less on gifts this year, 36% about the same and 9% more, with sharper cutbacks reported by women and lower‑income households.
- CNBC’s All-America Economic Survey reports 41% plan to spend less, 42% about the same and 16% more, with the high cost of goods cited as the top reason for cutting back and, unusually, for spending more.
- Average planned spending is roughly $1,016 overall and $1,199 among those buying gifts, while 36% say they will spend $1,000 or more, the highest share in at least 15 years in the CNBC series.
- The CNBC survey shows shopping shifting toward online, big-box and wholesale outlets, with more deal-hunting and 57% entering the season carrying debt, up 11 points from last year.
- AP–NORC polling finds nearly half say gifts are harder to afford and 68% rate the economy as poor, as President Trump downplays affordability concerns and criticizes some polls as fake.