Parents are spending more than ever to keep Christmas traditions alive, with families in New York leading the country in holiday gift expenses, according to a report by the New York Post.
Citing results from CouponBirds’ annual Christmas Spending and Savings Survey of 2,500 parents, the report said New Yorkers plan to spend an average of $732 per child this Christmas, the highest figure nationwide. Across the US, parents expect to shell out about $521 per child, up 13 percent from last year.
The rising costs are pushing many households into debt. The survey found that 58 percent of parents expect to rely on credit cards or buy-now-pay-later services to cover holiday spending, while only 32 percent believe they will finish the season without owing money. Use of installment payment platforms such as Klarna and Afterpay more than doubled compared to last year.
Spending levels vary widely by state. After New York, parents in New Jersey and Texas reported some of the highest planned budgets, while families in several Midwestern and rural states aim to keep gift spending closer to $300 per child.
The survey also showed that most families do little advance planning for holiday expenses, with more than half saying they do not save for Christmas at all. Only a small portion reported setting aside money early in the year.
As costs continue to climb, some parents are turning to thrift shopping and budget-friendly alternatives to avoid taking on debt—an approach that has sparked debate online but may become more common amid ongoing financial pressures.