New Yorkers shelled out more for Christmas gifts than any other state this year — here’s the astronomical amount

NY Post ^ | 12/25/25 | Marissa Matozzo

[Libloather]

Looks like Santa’s sleigh is running on plastic.

A new holiday spending survey finds parents are shelling out more than ever to fill stockings — and nobody’s splurging like New Yorkers, who plan to blow a whopping $732 per child on Christmas gifts this year, the highest in the nation.

Nationwide, parents expect to drop an average $521 per kid — up 13% from last year — turning holiday cheer into what feels like a second rent payment, according to CouponBirds’ annual Christmas Spending & Savings Survey of 2,500 parents.

To afford it, families are charging first and worrying later.

A staggering 58% expect to go into debt, mostly via credit cards and Buy Now, Pay Later plans — and only 32% feel confident they’ll escape the holidays debt-free.

And a whopping 43% of parents are using services like Klarna and Afterpay this year, more than double last Christmas.

Spending varies wildly by state. Next in line after New York is New Jersey ($728) and Texas ($722), while families in West Virginia, South Dakota and Nebraska are trying to keep costs closer to $300 a child. Just 3% believe they can pull off Christmas on under $100.

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TOPICS: Business/Economy; Conspiracy; Food; History
KEYWORDS: astronomical; christmas; gifts; nyc

[Libloather]

Even worse, most households aren’t prepared. More than half (54%) don’t save for Christmas at all, leaving December to hit like a financial ambush.

Yeah, no one ever sees that one comin'.

[No name given]

That’s the sad truth.

[farmguy]

One last party before striking the iceberg?

[ClearCase_guy]

To afford it, families are charging first and worrying later.

Perhaps not the best financial decision, but that is a decision based upon optimism which is very much a Pro-Trump feeling.

[Sacajaweau]

I’m 82...We kinda over indulge our kids. I went to Dollar Store for my grandchildren...they never knew.

[mass55th]

I live in NY State. We aren’t having our Christmas until Saturday, and I only give money and gift cards to my two sons. They are 59 and 54. I stopped buying presents for them many years ago.

[frank ballenger]

More NYC gift spending...

Even physical volume books such as the popular Little Red Book by Mao and Das Kapital gift books. We aren’t going to recognize Manhattan soon.

[frank ballenger]

How much spending for Kwanzaa?

December 26-Jan.1st. But everyone knew that.

New Yorkers are greatly and enthusiastically looking forward to these in 2026:
Ramadan (Month of Fasting)
Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
Islamic New Year (Muharram 1)
Ashura (Day of Atonement)
After Eid al-Adha ...Arbaeen.
Eid Milad un Nabi (Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday).

[Karl Spooner]

Americans spending more money than ever before according to government statistics.

.

[cgbg]

You missed all the really important holidays:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_LGBTQ_awareness_periods

Lol.

[goodnesswins]

“Christmas” for family here is Jan 24th....Dinner out for 13 and only small gifts, but then a family activity later in the summer that we pay for, ie Mariners game, white water rafting, etc.,

[piasa]

Christmas isn’t about spending or gifts.

The gifts the magi brought to Christ weren’t toys, they were the fragrant resins and materials used for His burial preparations.

[sit-rep]

for the family get together, there is so many we have a pool... everyone brings one gift and we pile them up in the center of the room White Elephant style...

Being a bachelor, I accumulate two pocket change piles-one on the kitchen counter, the other on the bathroom counter. I filled a box 10”x10”x10”. no clue how much the total was, but my niece’s kid was happy as a pig in sh*t when he opened that box!!

[gcparent]

700 per kid is crazy. I too am in NY. I had bags and bags for my kids and grandkids plus we do stockings. Their fav are the stocking. I spent 100 per person but gifts valued at about 300 per person. I shop ahead all year long sales coupons new stuff at thrift shops, gifts cards from credit card points. The biggest splurge was the 2025 Hess truck. I would never go into debt for Christmas.

[frank ballenger]

Ha.

I hang my head in shame, barely able to see the keyboard to type to acknowledge it.

I’m out of the loop for these.

[Thank You Rush]

I wonder if adult children realize the “favor” they’re doing the parents - just send money! It’s easier in most cases than spending $$ on something no one wants or needs!

Hope you had a good day with your sons...

[Organic Panic]

My whole family has a deal that all the gifts are to come from a thrift store. It’s great. I mean really. If we wanted something we would just buy it. Who ever said, “I really want a scented candle for Christmas.”

I have to confess though... this year almost everyone got a chihuahua because someone down the road just rescued a bunch from a puppy mill.

[Organic Panic]

I LOVE the dollar store. Merry Christmas.

[Organic Panic]

I’m about the same age. Our “gifts” are the effort made to visit and we all love it. The only “gifts” are some silly traditions we had from when my siblings and I were little kids. And mum always gets a pack of watermelon bubble gum. We all play instruments and will have a family concert that is way more memorable than any silly store bought present or gift card.

[gcparent]

Love the family concert idea.