A new national poll reveals that millions of Americans are scaling back their Christmas spending this year, underscoring ongoing concerns about inflation, household budgets, and the true state of the economy.
According to a recent NBC News Decision Desk survey, more than half of Americans say they plan to spend less on holiday gifts compared to last year. The poll found that 55 percent of respondents intend to cut back on Christmas spending, while just 9 percent said they plan to spend more. Another 36 percent expect their holiday spending to stay about the same.
The findings highlight growing financial caution as families continue to grapple with higher everyday costs, including groceries, gas, utilities, and insurance.
Americans Still Feeling Financial Pressure
The survey also examined how Americans feel about their personal financial situation heading into the holidays. While 41 percent said their finances are roughly unchanged from a year ago, 35 percent reported they are worse off financially. Only 24 percent said they feel better than they did last year.
For many older Americans living on fixed incomes, even small increases in prices can have a significant impact on holiday budgets and retirement savings.
Trump Defends Economic Record
Despite public frustration over affordability, President Donald Trump has repeatedly defended his economic record during his second term. In a recent interview, Trump gave his administration’s economic performance a glowing review, calling it an “A-plus-plus-plus-plus-plus.”
“I inherited a total mess,” Trump said. “Prices were at an all-time high when I came in. Prices are now coming down substantially.”
The White House has pointed to falling inflation rates, job growth, and energy production as signs that the economy is stabilizing after years of economic turbulence.
Democrats Attack Trump Over Costs
Democratic leaders, however, continue to argue that Americans are not feeling the benefits. Last week, former Vice President Kamala Harris and Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin criticized the administration’s handling of affordability and rising costs.
Martin claimed that higher prices are squeezing family paychecks and accused the administration’s trade policies of harming small businesses and consumers.
What The Numbers Show
The NBC News Decision Desk poll was conducted between November 20 and December 8, surveying 20,252 adults nationwide. The poll carries a margin of error of 1.9 percentage points.
As Christmas Day approaches, the data suggests that many Americans remain cautious — watching prices closely, adjusting their budgets, and hoping for continued economic improvement in the year ahead.