Looking at this year’s holiday spending data, it feels like Christmas shopping has officially crossed into jaw-dropping territory. According to a recent survey, parents across the U.S. are spending more than ever on gifts — but nowhere is the splurge bigger than in New York. Families there planned to spend an eye-watering $732 per child, the highest figure in the country, and far above the national average.
Nationwide, I see parents expecting to shell out about $521 per child, which is a 13% jump from last year. At this point, Christmas shopping rivals a second rent payment for many households. The data, based on CouponBirds’ annual Christmas Spending & Savings Survey of 2,500 parents, paints a clear picture: holiday cheer is increasingly financed by credit.
To make it work, most families are leaning hard on plastic. Around 58% of parents expect to go into debt, mainly through credit cards and Buy Now, Pay Later services. Even more telling, only about a third believe they’ll make it through the holidays without owing money. I was especially struck by the rise of BNPL platforms — 43% of parents used services like Klarna and Afterpay, more than double the number from last Christmas.
Spending levels vary dramatically by state. After New York, New Jersey and Texas followed closely behind, with averages hovering above $720 per child. Meanwhile, families in states like West Virginia, South Dakota, and Nebraska tried to keep spending closer to $300. Almost no one thinks a sub-$100 Christmas is realistic anymore — just 3% believe it’s possible.
What worries me most is how unprepared many households are. More than half of parents don’t save for Christmas at all, which means December hits like a financial ambush. Only 7% start saving early in the year, leaving most families scrambling once holiday ads take over their screens.
That’s why one viral story really stood out to me. A Pennsylvania mom gained attention for embracing what she called “Thriftmas.” Instead of overspending, she bought second-hand toys, clothes, and décor for her four kids — and capped her budget at $100. Her reasoning was simple: she didn’t want Christmas memories tied to debt.
Her thrift-store haul included a jewelry box, alphabet toys, and even a cozy unicorn hoodie — and it sparked a fierce online debate. Some praised her for being financially savvy and setting boundaries, while others criticized her for being “cheap.” But with wallets stretched thinner every year, I can’t help thinking more parents may soon be following her lead.
From New York’s record-breaking gift budgets to the rise of thrifted holidays, one thing is clear to me: Christmas spending has become a serious financial pressure point — and how families choose to handle it says a lot about where priorities are shifting.
