With Thanksgiving in the rearview mirror and Christmas coming fast, nearly one-third of Americans had yet to begin their shopping as of early December, according to the latest Consumer Reports Holiday Poll*. (Check the first and second installments of the Holiday Poll.) Among those who had started shopping by that time, 49 percent were less than halfway finished.
But even with that procrastination, 64 percent said they have things under control and will be ready for the holiday. The remaining 36 percent said that preparing for the holiday had them at least somewhat stressed, including 6 percent who were so overwhelmed that they were unsure whether they'd be ready in time, and 3 percent who said they almost certainly wouldn’t be prepared for Christmas.
Most Americans—64 percent—say they’d kept holiday spending under control, but 29 percent expressed concern about going over budget.
Saving money remains a priority, and the three most common tactics to economize this year are clipping coupons, a strategy used by 35 percent of respondents. Thirty percent of those surveyed used coupons distributed via e-mail, and 24 percent relied on discounts available through store credit cards.
Most consumers (30 percent) who shopped at walk-in stores bought gifts at mass merchants such as Walmart and Target; 12 percent did most of their shopping at department stores including Macy’s and Nordstrom; and 7 percent gave the bulk of their business to local independent retailers.
Online shopping is up, and that’s where 33 percent of Americans are spending most of their money this season. Compared with last year, 20 percent are shopping online more than they did in 2012, and 9 percent are shopping online less. Three out of four consumers surveyed said they don’t expect to buy any gifts online this year.
Check out our Holiday & Gift Guide, and visit our Money page to find reviews of appliance stores, electronics stores, shopping websites, and much more.
This year's top gifts
As in past years, apparel, shoes, and fashion accessories remain the most-popular gift category, on the list of 62 percent of shoppers. Gift cards are second, purchased by 45 percent of respondents, followed by toys (41 percent), books (34 percent), cash or check (28 percent), and jewelry (24 percent).
Eighty-two percent of respondents said they would rather receive practical gifts than luxury gifts (18 percent), and 60 percent would prefer cash to a gift card (40 percent).
Who are the toughest people to shop for? Thirty percent cited a spouse, partner, or significant other, 25 percent identified parents as the most difficult, and 12 percent said kids are the toughest to please. Ironically, the hardest people to shop for are also those who can expect to be treated the most generously. Children, not surprisingly, should make out the best. Thirty-nine percent of those surveyed said they expect to spend the more on children than anyone else. (If you need a git for a tech-savvy child, check our review of the best tablets for kids.)
Holiday jeers
When it comes to etiquette, the worst way to spread holiday wishes to friends and family is via an impersonal text message blasted to a multiple recipients; nearly seven in 10 surveyed said such a greeting was in at least somewhat poor taste. Others tactics to earn a high percentage of “inappropriates” include:
- A one-size-fits-all greeting on a blog, website, or social media page (cited as being in poor taste by 65 percent of respondents).
- A form-letter greeting mailed to multiple recipients (57 percent).
- Personal text message (42 percent).
- A form letter year-end update on family doings (39 percent).
- An e-greeting card (32 percent).
- E-mail (24 percent).
—Tod Marks
The Consumer Reports Holiday Poll, designed by the Consumer Reports National Research Center, is a nationally representative survey of more than 1,500 randomly selected adult U.S. residents. It was conducted in December 2013.
Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2007-2013 Consumers Union of U.S.
