By: E&P Staff While surveys find most Americans uneasy about their economic position, despite a growing economy, they plan on spending more on Christmas than at any time in recent years, according to a new Gallup poll.
And one interesting detail: The least religious Americans outspend those who take Christmas most seriously as a holy day.
According to the Nov. 9-12 poll, a third of adults nationwide (34%) think they will spend $1,000 or more on gifts. That is higher than the 25% to 30% Gallup recorded in early November surveys from 2002 to 2005.
The mean estimated expenditure today ($826) is Gallup's highest early November reading for this since 2000.
Just 4% say they don't celebrate Christmas and won't be spending anything. Men will outspend women slightly.
Gallup also notes: "Although Christmas is among the holiest dates on the Christian calendar, there appears to be no relationship between one's depth of religious commitment and one's Christmas budget. In fact, less religious Americans may spend more on Christmas gifts than do active practitioners. Those who seldom or never attend their church or place of worship say they will spend an estimated average of $853 on gifts this year, compared with just over $800 for those who worship either weekly or nearly weekly."
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