New Yorkers shelled out more for Christmas gifts than any other state this year — here’s the astronomical amount
It looks like Santa’s sleigh might be running on something other than reindeers this year—parents across the country are planning to shell out more than ever for holiday gifts.
According to a newly released survey from CouponBirds, which polled 2,500 parents nationwide, the average American household expects to spend $521 on gifts for a child. That figure is up 13% from last year, a cost that feels a little too close to a second monthly rent payment for many families.
The state with the highest per‑kid spend is New York, where locals plan to drop a staggering $732 on Christmas presents. New Jersey and Texas follow closely, with projected averages of $728 and $722, respectively. In contrast, communities in West Virginia, South Dakota, and Nebraska are holding their spending down to around $300 a child, and only 3% of respondents say they can get away with under $100.
Debt is a real concern. A hefty 58% of parents anticipate dipping into credit cards or using Buy‑Now‑Pay‑Later services to pad their holiday budgets—and only 32% feel confident they’ll finish the season debt‑free. Services like Klarna and Afterpay are being used by 43% of families this year, a jump more than double the usage rate from last Christmas.
When it comes to saving for the holiday rush, the picture is even bleaker. Half of all respondents (54%) say they don’t set aside any money at all for Christmas, while only 7% begin saving well in advance. Most parents aren’t thinking about holiday costs until their bank balance is already stretched thin.
A real‑world illustration of the pinch came from a Pennsylvania mom who took to TikTok to showcase her “Thriftmas” haul. She scoured thrift shops, second‑hand boutiques, and charity resales to find gifts for her four children—all on a $100 budget—so she could avoid slipping into debt under the tree. In her video she declared, “Call me cheap, whatever. I don’t care,” and explained that she’d rather save for a family vacation than swipe her way through Christmas.
She proudly displayed a chic jewelry box, a stack of alphabet letters, and a cozy unicorn hoodie, all purchased for a fraction of the price of new items. The video sparked a heated online debate: some applauded her smart shopping tactics, while others harshly criticized her for being “cheap” and even labeled her a “grinch” in front of her kids.
With wallets tightening, more parents may be tempted to follow in her thrift‑shop footsteps. Whether that means taking a more careful approach to holiday spending or simply rethinking the gifts we buy will be a deciding factor for many in the coming weeks.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
