Survey Finds Inflation Clouds Holiday Shopping Plans

A WalletHub survey finds most Americans expect smaller or unchanged holiday budgets and a notable share distrust AI for shopping help.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Spending

Survey Finds Inflation Clouds Holiday Shopping Plans

Live Poll

Do you expect your holiday spending to be smaller than last year?

A WalletHub survey found 52% of Americans believe inflation will ruin their holiday season, with 79% saying their holiday spending plan is the same size as last year or smaller. The results were published November 6, 2026.

Why it matters

Persistent price pressures are shaping how Americans budget for the holidays, and debt carried over from prior seasons is still a burden for many households. Early shopping and deal-hunting are emerging as common responses.

The WalletHub survey found 52% of Americans expect inflation to ruin their holidays and 79% plan spending equal to or below last year. Actual holiday outcomes relative to these plans were not reported.

The players

WalletHub

WalletHub is a personal finance website that publishes consumer surveys, credit tools, and financial advice.

John Kiernan

John Kiernan is the managing editor of WalletHub who offered holiday budgeting advice based on the survey.

The details

WalletHub conducted the survey, which found that more than two in three respondents believe early shopping saves money overall. WalletHub managing editor John Kiernan advised planning ahead, hunting for deals, and sticking to a budget.

November 6, 2026: WalletHub survey results were published, as reported by WENG 98.1FM.

Market Dynamics

This survey extends WalletHub's recurring tracking of American holiday spending expectations, showing consumer caution as inflation concerns persist into the season. The findings describe household sentiment rather than a shift in retail market structure.

For households, the survey suggests setting a holiday budget before shopping begins, since deal-hunting and early purchasing are commonly recommended. Readers still carrying last season's debt may want to factor repayment into this year's plans.

The takeaway

Setting a firm holiday budget before shopping starts and checking deals early can help limit the impact of inflation on the season. Households already in debt from last year may benefit from prioritizing repayment alongside gift planning.