No matter where you live, Christmas is a special time of year. Images come to mind of opening presents, eating dinner and gathering with friends and family. While things may look different this year, the season is still sure to be memorable.
What does all of this mean for gifts? With everything going on in the world, will people spend more or less on Christmas? At DEMDACO, we like to think of gift giving as our specialty, and we love being able to connect loved ones through moments shared as gifts are exchanged. With that in mind, we researched Christmas spending plans for 2020 to learn what might look different this year. Here's what we found:
- The average amount people expect to spend this year.
- Which states are expected to spend the most/least.
- The most popular gifts in 2020.
Keep reading to learn how much people in your state plan to spend on Christmas and which gifts will be a perfect fit if you're still looking for something special.
How Much will Americans Spend in 2020?
The Christmas season is full of generosity, and it's not uncommon to spend a little more on that special gift or décor to make the moment more memorable. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), the average American in 2020 plans to spend around $998 on the following:
- Gifts for Others: $650
- Food & Décor: $230
- Personal Spending: $117
That total is down roughly $50 from the average of $1,045 that Americans planned to spend in 2019 and nearly all of that difference ($45) is a result of people planning to spend less on themselves this year. This is the first time since 2016 that planned spending has declined year-over-year and it warms our heart that people are choosing to sacrifice personal spending rather than generosity toward friends and family.
Which State will Spend the Most on Christmas?
As we mentioned before, Christmas is a special time of year no matter where you live. However, that doesn’t mean all states spend equally around the holidays. Using NRF estimates for Christmas spending in 2019 and factoring in the planned reduction in spending this year, we were able to determine how much people in each state plan to spend on Christmas in 2020. We’ve compiled the top 10 here:
- North Dakota: $1,324
- Vermont: $1,202
- Maine: $1,188
- Massachusetts: $1,178
- Montana: $1,166
- New Hampshire: $1,164
- New Jersey: $1,146
- Connecticut: $1,138
- Hawaii: $1,117
- Minnesota: $1,089
On average, people in these 10 states are projected to spend roughly $175 more than the national average this year. Meanwhile, here are the 10 states that are projected to spend the least:
- Mississippi: $848
- New Mexico: $889
- Arizona: $895
- Ohio: $906
- Oklahoma: $908
- West Virginia: $918
- Indiana: $919
- South Carolina: $922
- Arkansas: $929
- Alabama: $931
On average, people in these 10 states are projected to spend roughly $90 less than the national average this year. In general, we found that states in the north and northeast plan to spend more on Christmas than states in the south. If you'd like to see a list of all 50 states, we've included a table at the bottom with projected spend this year as well as the estimated drop compared to 2019.
What are the Most Popular Gifts in 2020?
At the end of the day, how much people spend is less important than the thought and intention behind each gift. There's nothing like sharing something special with friends, family and loved ones. The world may look a little different right now, but the Christmas spirit remains. With that in mind, we've also compiled data from the NRF on the most popular gifts people hope to receive this year. If you're still searching for the perfect gift, there are plenty of great options from this list on our Christmas Gift Guide that are sure to help you connect with those you love.
- Clothing
- Gift Cards
- Toys
- Books/Media
- Food-Related
- Electronics
- Personal Care
- Cash
- Home Décor
- Jewelry
Wrapping Up
No matter where you live or what you choose to give, we know your Christmas will be special and your gifts memorable if they come from the heart. If you need help finding something for a loved one, don't hesitate to reach out to our customer service team or give us a call at 888-336-3226 and we'll be happy to help you find the perfect gift.
Summary Stats
Which States Spend the Most on Christmas?
| Rank | State | 2020 Estimated Spending |
| 1 | North Dakota | $1,324 |
| 2 | Vermont | $1,202 |
| 3 | Maine | $1,188 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $1,178 |
| 5 | Montana | $1,166 |
| 6 | New Hampshire | $1,164 |
| 7 | New Jersey | $1,146 |
| 8 | Connecticut | $1,138 |
| 9 | Hawaii | $1,117 |
| 10 | Minnesota | $1,089 |
| 11 | New York | $1,083 |
| 12 | South Dakota | $1,060 |
| 13 | Nebraska | $1,057 |
| 14 | Washington | $1,039 |
| 15 | Wyoming | $1,031 |
| 16 | Iowa | $1,020 |
| 17 | Wisconsin | $1,016 |
| 18 | Oregon | $1,012 |
| 19 | Maryland | $1,011 |
| 20 | Delaware | $1,005 |
| 21 | Florida | $1,003 |
| 22 | Alaska | $1,000 |
| 23 | Colorado | $993 |
| 24 | Virginia | $992 |
| 25 | Idaho | $989 |
| 26 | Texas | $989 |
| 27 | California | $986 |
| 28 | Utah | $982 |
| 29 | Pennsylvania | $980 |
| 30 | Missouri | $978 |
| 31 | Rhode Island | $976 |
| 32 | Illinois | $975 |
| 33 | Nevada | $975 |
| 34 | North Carolina | $972 |
| 35 | Michigan | $964 |
| 36 | Louisiana | $951 |
| 37 | Tennessee | $949 |
| 38 | Kansas | $941 |
| 39 | Kentucky | $938 |
| 40 | Georgia | $937 |
| 41 | Alabama | $931 |
| 42 | Arkansas | $929 |
| 43 | South Carolina | $922 |
| 44 | Indiana | $919 |
| 45 | West Virginia | $918 |
| 46 | Oklahoma | $908 |
| 47 | Ohio | $906 |
| 48 | Arizona | $895 |
| 49 | New Mexico | $889 |
| 50 | Mississippi | $848 |
Sources
- National Retail Federation. "Winter Holidays." https://nrf.com/. 10 December 2020.
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