Holiday Gifts: How Much To Spend On Your Significant Other (2024)

FAQs

Holiday Gifts: How Much To Spend On Your Significant Other? ›

If you have been dating for less than a year, it is appropriate to spend a maximum of $50. A budget of around $100 is standard for longer relationships. If you're married, $100 is the median amount, and the top 25% of couples spend $300.

The survey found that on average, respondents spent £144.37 on gifts for their partners, which is £15 less than the amount participants said they spent on their close family members (£128.49). Men were far more likely to spend more, with an average spend of £178.81, compared to women who spent £125.77 on average.

Trend in November readings from 1999 to 2023 in average amount Americans expect to spend on Christmas gifts each year. Current $975 is up from $867 in 2022 and is the highest in the trend.

Generally, 1% of your yearly income is an acceptable maximum for Christmas gifts. According to Bankrate, for your partner, a budget of approximately $100 is acceptable, though this will depend on a range of factors such as your age and income. For individual family members, a budget of $50 is recommended.

There is no magic number but the general consensus seems to be between three gifts potentially up to around five.

Relationship Stage: Consider how long you've been together and the seriousness of your relationship. If you have been dating for less than a year, it is appropriate to spend a maximum of $50. A budget of around $100 is standard for longer relationships.

Clearpoint, the credit-counseling nonprofit, suggests a simple target for holiday budgeting: Plan to spend 1.5% of your annual income. For a family that earns $75,000 a year, that works out to $1,125. Sliding buttons allow you to allocate shares of the total to gifts, parties, travel, donations and food.

A budget of $100 is more than enough an amazing Christmas gift that will knock someone's socks off. No matter if you're searching for a Christmas gift for your parents, your best friend, your siblings, a teacher or a significant other, we've found $100-and-under gift ideas that are sure to impress.

10 gift rule for Christmas

These include something to give others, something to do for others, a toy to play with the family, something to make, and footwear. The ten-gift rule is perfect if you only have one child to shop for as these can be smaller gifts with a wide variety of different presents.

“When it comes to gift-giving, moderation is key,” Joseph adds. “Quality is always better than quantity. Your child doesn't need 20 presents to be happy; a couple of thoughtful, well-chosen gifts will do just fine.”

What is the average cost of Christmas gifts for family members? ›

According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), the average American plans to spend $826 in 2022 on Christmas gifts, food, and decorations. Of that $826 dollars, around 500 are spent on gifts for family members. The most popular of these gifts are clothing, toys, and gift cards.

Meanwhile, 35% of parents plan to spend between $50 and $150 per kid, while 12% are budgeting between $150 and $200. Just 19% of American parents say they'll spend more than $200 on each child's gifts. 11% responded that they weren't yet sure on how much they would be forking out for festive gifts.

Some people say that three gifts are sufficient since that's all the baby Jesus got. Others go by a “rule of four” or seven or 10. And some parents delight in celebrating abundance and want Christmas to be a time of merry excess in contrast to the disciplines of regular life.

One study revealed that many people spend around $41 to $100 per gift, while another suggested that about $25 is common, regardless of the relationship between the gifter and the recipient. In our house, though, there's no question of how much my husband and I will spend on birthday gifts for each other.

Average Christmas spending per child in 2021 in the U.S.

However, there are a few reports that have studied the Christmas spending habits of a sample of Americans. According to CreditCards.com, the average U.S. parent planned to spend $276 on each child under 18 in 2021.

Even if you've only been dating less than a month choosing to give or not give a gift will indeed have lasting effects on your relationship. Giving a gift can mean that you really like where the relationship is going, it can mean that you're serious about him/her and then not giving a gift can mean the opposite.

Your budget should align with your household income with some financial experts recommending a maximum spend of 1.5% of your annual income. It is easy to spend more than you can afford at Christmas, but this season should not be an occasion to add any extra stress to your family's finances.