Weather 
Nearly half of Gen Z have delayed or skipped housing payments to afford the holidays this year.
That’s according to a recent survey of 2,000 Americans who celebrate the holidays, in which 46% of Gen Z respondents said they’ve skipped a rent or mortgage payment to afford holiday spending.
The study explored the challenges of the holiday season, as well as the financial and emotional toll of unrealistic expectations and overspending, and revealed that almost half of Americans (46%) would skip gift-giving this holiday season if they weren’t worried about offending others.
Forty-five% also revealed that saying “I can’t afford that” during the holiday season makes them feel guilty, and another 39% confessed they’d rather take on debt than disappoint loved ones during the holidays.
And even though almost half of people said they’d be ok with skipping gifting altogether this year, a significant number (39%) still said they’d rather deal with financial consequences in January than cut back during the holidays — highlighting that Americans are increasingly torn between financial setbacks and holiday spending pressure.
Conducted by Talker Research on behalf of Accredited Debt Relief, the study revealed that respondents estimate they’ll give an average of 15 gifts this holiday and spend a grand total of $1,533.
The bill is so high that 45% of Americans polled expect to take on some holiday debt this year.
And looking at how people plan to tackle and split payments this year, respondents said their holiday spending will be split between 56% cash/debit payments, 32% credit card payments, and 12% buy-now, pay-later payments, on average.
The study also found that only a little more than half of respondents (54%) are approaching the holidays with a budget this year. Twenty-seven percent said they won’t create one, and another 19% admitted they’re still undecided about whether they’ll use a budget to track and manage their holiday spending.
Reasons for going budget-less are nuanced. Rather than pure laziness, many of those not using budgets this season simply said budgeting feels pointless, since they have so little money to spend (19%).
And while this is relatable, this might explain why a significant number of respondents (39%) confessed that the money they spend during the holiday season feels less “real” than the money they spend during the rest of the year.
“Hidden” holiday spending categories also likely play a role in why holiday spending doesn’t feel “real.” In the survey, most respondents (61%) had at least one hidden holiday spending category — something they usually forget to budget for, but spend on anyway.
Respondents said hidden holiday expenses are often put on a credit card (36%), and that paying for hidden holiday expenses often moves them from a “barely stable” financial state to a “danger zone” financial state (31%).
“One of the biggest holiday budgeting mistakes is focusing on the gifts while overlooking everything else that comes with the season,” said Bobbi Rebell, chief financial education adviser at Accredited Debt Relief. “Shipping, decorations, entertaining, and last-minute purchases can add up quickly. And when those expenses go on a credit card without a clear repayment plan, the financial consequences can last long after the holidays are over.”
Unrealistic and overblown spending expectations have had a measurable impact on people’s well-being. Nearly one in five respondents (18%) revealed they’ve delayed or skipped a rent or mortgage payment so they could have money for holiday spending, with Gen Z being the most likely of all generations to do this.
Another 35% of respondents have pulled money out of savings for holiday expenses, and 20% have reduced or skipped a retirement contribution.
“Holiday spending should never come at the expense of someone’s financial stability, but these findings show just how difficult it can be to balance financial responsibilities with the social expectations and pressure to create a memorable holiday,” said Rebell. “When people feel pressure to choose the holidays over their real-life financial obligations, it’s a sign that something needs to change. Making tough choices around spending may feel like you are disappointing those you care about, but protecting your financial future needs to be non-negotiable.”
2026 holiday spending snapshot:
- The average American will give 15 gifts this year
- Average holiday spending per person will total $1,533
- 45% of Americans expect to take on some holiday debt this year
- Holiday spending will be split between 56% cash/debit payments, 32% credit card payments, and 12% buy-now, pay-later payments, on average
Research methodology:
Talker Research surveyed 2,000 Americans who celebrate a winter holiday who have access to the internet; the survey was commissioned by Accredited Debt Relief and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between Oct. 16 and Oct. 20, 2026.
