This report provides an overview of consumer holiday spending in the United States. Consumers have been spending more on the holidays, driven by marketing and merchandising efforts and the desire to gather family and friends in a comforting environment. Recent trends in the home arts have also sparked new interest in the holidays. These good feelings provoke consumer spending as part of the desire to be happy and have something to celebrate.

For the purposes of this report, holiday spending is defined as consumer expenditures on holiday specific items, including home décor/decorations, candy, gifts, food and other purchases consumers make to create a celebratory mood in their home. The definition also includes expenditures on food and drink for holiday specific consumption (parties and celebrations). As each holiday is unique, the report also covers seasonal items, such as Halloween costumes, Christmas trees and fireworks.

This report provides an overview of consumer holiday spending in the United States. Consumers have been spending more on the holidays, driven by marketing and merchandising efforts and the desire to gather family and friends in a comforting environment. Recent trends in the home arts have also sparked new interest in the holidays. These good feelings provoke consumer spending as part of the desire to be happy and have something to celebrate.

For the purposes of this report, holiday spending is defined as consumer expenditures on holiday specific items, including home décor/decorations, candy, gifts, food and other purchases consumers make to create a celebratory mood in their home. The definition also includes expenditures on food and drink for holiday specific consumption (parties and celebrations). As each holiday is unique, the report also covers seasonal items, such as Halloween costumes, Christmas trees and fireworks.

Specifically, consumer expenditures for the following holidays are included in this report:

St. Valentine’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day

Easter

Independence Day

Halloween

Christmas

Hanukah

New Year’s Eve

Not included is travel spending associated with going out of town for holidays.