Christmas is less than a week away. Carols ring in the nippy air, storefronts are festooned with festive wreaths and shiny tinsel, and folks are busy buying gifts and making plans for the biggest holiday of the year.
In all the hustle and bustle, there’s much cheer and gaiety. The joy of the season has, at least for now, cast aside the gloom that has generally permeated life in America in recent years. For much of the year, ‘prices’ have remained the center of focus in the public domain and family circles. The rising cost of living has affected most families in the country, and every politician has had ‘curbing inflation’ at the top of their agenda.
As the much-awaited holidays approached, a nationwide TIPP Poll of close to 1500 adults was conducted to gauge the country’s mood and how Americans are planning their festivities this time round.
TIPP Poll found that the bite of rising prices has cast a slight shadow on Christmas, but not dampened people’s spirits or the anticipation of the holidays. Here’s a closer look at what the data reveals.
Many Americans are worried about how much Christmas will cost this year. While a third remain unconcerned about the costs, 61% expressed concerns, and the rest were unsure. Youngsters (18–24-year-olds) are the most uneasy, with almost three-quarters (74%) expressing worry, as are 65% of the 25–44-year-olds and 62% of the 45–64-year-olds. Almost half of the seniors also shared the sentiment.
The uneasiness regarding the cost of celebrations is felt across the spectrum. Fully 62% of those earning under $30K and a similar share of the $30-$50K income segment expressed concerns about costs. However, it is worth noting that the apprehension has not spared even those in higher income brackets. In fact, two-thirds of the $50-$75K earners and 58% of the top slot ($75K+) said they were worried about costs this year.
Christmas traditions like giving gifts, family outings, and lavish meals are likely to put a strain on family budgets. Understandably, 70% of those with children are anxious about how much Christmas will cost, compared with 58% of those without kids.
Given that the majority are worried about the costs this holiday season, it is unsurprising that little more than a third (36%) are planning on spending less. However, an equal share (35%) has no plans to cut back on their Christmas budgets from previous years. Meanwhile, almost a quarter (23%) intend to spend more, and 6% are unsure about the budgets.
Over a third of youngsters (18–24-year-olds) and those in the 25–44 age bracket are likely to spend more this Christmas, while 45% of those in the 45–64-year-old and senior age brackets plan to spend less.
It is heartening to know that, though much of America is keeping a close eye on its budgets this holiday season, the anxiety and attention to costs have not eroded the love for the festival. A clear majority (68%) stated they were looking forward to Christmas. Conversely, a quarter were not enthusiastically awaiting the holidays, and the rest were undecided.
Interestingly, anticipation is highest among the 25–44-year-olds at 75%, and above 60% across all age brackets. Despite budget concerns, 78% of parents were looking forward to Christmas.
TIPP Poll data reveal that the current economic situation has affected Americans across the spectrum. However, even as most are watching their spending and worrying about the costs, folks are looking forward to the holidays. After all, Christmas is a celebration of the spirit; it is the season of joy and cheer. It is a little bit of nostalgia, about carrying forward traditions, and making memories. Christmas is about creating warmth in one’s home, community, and life, during some of the coldest days of the year. The holiday is a time to pause, reflect, and renew.
👉 Quick Reads
I. This Christmas’s Most Popular Toys and Tech
With Christmas just six days away, this year’s standout toys range from high-tech puzzles to singing Wicked dolls.
II. A Rubik’s Cube for the digital age
A new WOWCube replaces coloured squares with video screens to create interactive games.
The TIPP Stack
Handpicked articles from TIPP Insights & beyond
1. Decision Time For Europe—Mark Leonard, Project Syndicate
2. Trump’s Growth-First Economic Leadership For America—Larry Kudlow, TIPP Insights
3. ‘It’s The Economy, Stupid’: How A Political Meme Toppled A President And Could Do It Again—Victor Davis Hanson, The Daily Signal
4. Trump’s Inflation Trap—Daniel McCarthy, The Daily Signal
5. November’s Weak Jobs Report Pushes The Fed Toward More Monetary Stimulus—Ryan McMaken, Mises Wire
6. Flim Flam Theater Of Peace Talks On Ukraine—Moon of Alabama, Ron Paul Institute for Peace and Prosperity
7. The Rise Of The Isaac Accords: How Israel Is Redrawing South America’s Political Landscape—Freddie Ponton, Ron Paul Institute for Peace and Prosperity
8. Time For These Zionist ‘Pastors’ To Register As Foreign Agents—Jason Jones, Ron Paul Institute for Peace and Prosperity
9. The $100 Billion Question Nobody’s Asking: Why Are Taxpayers Funding Big Tech Contracts With Nothing To Show For It?—Evan Swarztrauber & Luke Hogg, The Daily Signal
10. Exposing Biden’s ‘Afghan Vetting Fiasco’—Virginia Allen, The Daily Signal
11. Military Is Tossing ‘New Age Notions’ And Will Make Chaplain Corps ‘Great Again,’ Hegseth Announces—Virginia Allen, The Daily Signal
12. ‘PROGRESSIVE POLITICAL MACHINE’: America’s 4 Largest Unions Fund Politics Using Members’ Dues, Report Says—Tyler O'Neil, The Daily Signal
13. ‘Plain and Simple’: Kennedy Bill To Withhold Senator Pay During Shutdowns Advances—Jacob Adams, The Daily Signal
From TIPP Insights News Editor
14. US Pushes Ukraine Peace Talks As Kremlin Envoy Heads To Miami
15. Nearly 60% Of Ukrainians Hold Zelensky Responsible For Corruption Case
16. China Warns Japan’s Space Push Threatens Regional Security
17. China Backs Venezuela As Trump Presses Oil Shipping Blockade
18. Trump Pushes $10 Billion Taiwan Defense Deal Despite China Anger
19. Report Says North Korea Stole $2 Billion In Crypto In 2025
20. Cutting Edge Tech Stymied By Weak Electrical Supplies - Infographic
21. Trump Social Media Company To Merge With Nuclear Fusion Firm In $6 Billion Deal
22. US Inflation Slows To 2.7% In November, CPI Shows
23. Lack Of Surveillance Video Slows Hunt For Brown University Shooter
24. Oversight Panel Releases Fresh Epstein Images, Raising New Questions
25. Small Firms Face Cost Crunch From Tariffs, Energy, And Health Care
📊 Market Mood — Friday, December 19, 2025
🟩 Futures Steady, Week Still Red
Stocks edge higher on softer inflation, but the major indexes remain on track for a losing week.
🟧 Nike Trips in China
Nike weighs on sentiment after another quarterly sales decline in China, prompting management to signal a strategic reset.
🟦 BoJ Hikes, Stays Hawkish
The Bank of Japan raises rates to 0.75%, its highest since 1995, and signals more tightening if growth and inflation hold.
🟪 EU Backs Ukraine With €90B Loan
The EU agrees to jointly borrow funds to support Ukraine’s defense, reinforcing Europe’s role in shaping peace talks.
🟫 Oil Slips, Glut Fears Dominate
Crude heads for a second weekly drop as supply concerns and peace hopes outweigh Venezuela blockade risks.
🗓️ Key Economic Events — Friday, December 19, 2025
🟩 8:30 AM ET — Core PCE Inflation (Oct)
- Core PCE (MoM & YoY) – The Fed’s preferred inflation gauge. A critical input for expectations around the pace and timing of rate cuts in 2026.
🟧 10:00 AM ET — Existing Home Sales (Nov)
A read on housing demand amid elevated mortgage rates and affordability pressures, offering insight into the broader health of the housing market.
editor-tippinsights@technometrica.com
