Oregonians plan to spend less on holiday gifts

NerdWallet reports that the average person plans to spend approximately $880 on holiday gifts this year. This figure represents a 21 percent drop from last year, when consumers expected to spend just over $1,100. The data comes from the company's latest holiday spending report released in early November 2026.

Kim Palmer, a personal finance expert at NerdWallet, attributes the decline to sustained inflation and rising costs across multiple categories. She notes that the pressure extends beyond gift purchases, causing many families to cut back on travel and remain closer to home during the season. Palmer explains that financial stress is the primary driver behind these changes.

"The really big underlying story is that people are stressed out financially because prices have been rising across so many consumer categories, and so people are really forced to think, OK, how can I cut back while still celebrating the season," Palmer said. "And so, people are doing that by spending less overall."

To manage the strain, Palmer advises shoppers to create gift lists early and spread purchases over several months rather than concentrating them in December. She suggests waiting for price drops that often occur as the holidays approach. She also warns against using emergency savings for holiday shopping and recommends sticking strictly to pre-planned lists to avoid impulse buys.

One payment trend Palmer identifies is the increased use of buy now, pay later services. While these tools allow consumers to spread costs out, she cautions that they function as debt that must be repaid. "Of course, it’s a little bit risky because it’s a form of debt and you have to pay it back eventually, so that can be difficult once January hits," Palmer said. The report indicates that consumers are actively adjusting their spending habits to balance seasonal traditions with current economic realities.