Introduction
Every year, the United States spends more than $600 billion on Christmas. That includes shopping and decorating and gift giving, as well as food and drink. While this holiday season is a boon for many retailers, it can be a financial burden for others who are not able to keep up with demand.
The holidays are one opportunity out of many opportunities throughout any given year in the world where small businesses will benefit greatly if they embrace change instead of fearing it.
Goods produced for commercial purposes typically see increased demand around December 25th because people start taking their advance holiday inventory then. If you're producing these kinds or products it may be worth considering expanding production just before peak season so more consumers have access if they want something specific versus waiting until later down towards New Year's Eve when discounts might apply.
This article explores some of the ways in which Christmas affects the economy.
1. What is the economic impact of Christmas on our society
One of the more obvious impacts of Christmas is on the economy. Even though many people don't think about it, purchasing gifts, food, decorations and other items for the holidays has an economic impact on society. There are many ways in which this is apparent. Considering how much Americans spend on Christmas each year, there are many jobs that would not exist were it not for this spending.
Similarly, while most companies sell more products during the holiday season than during other parts of the year, if it weren't for Christmas they wouldn't need to hire as many employees to produce these products. Finally, while some think of Christmas as a time for giving children new toys or clothes (or adults their new flat-screen TVs), it also means that the economy must produce more clothing and toys in order to meet this demand.
2. The cost of Christmas
Some people say that the cost of Christmas is just an excuse to indulge. However, the cost of Christmas may be even more expensive than many might think. If you're looking for some math for how much does Christmas cost, the average American family spends $764 on holiday shopping and another $246 on gifts. This can be up to $1200 per year if they have two kids under 13 years old. No matter how you slice it, this money goes towards items like toys, groceries, decorations and more.
That money could be used for other things. From the cost to put up their Christmas tree and the outside decorations that's over $1100 which could be saved or invested. Even though children may need new clothes around the holidays, you don't have to buy brand new ones every year whether they're going to a school party, singing in a Christmas play, or going on a date with a new crush. You can always put them in their regular clothes and they'll be just fine.
But all these will also become an opportunity for the retailers and will help to create more job positions which may be also helpful to some people.
3. Spending habits for people in different income brackets
Considering how much of an economic impact the holidays can have, it is important to look at who spends how much and why they do so. The amount that any given person spends during the holiday season does not just depend on their income or savings, but also on whether or not they are employed or if their spouse is employed.
Shopping during the holidays can be a stressful and frustrating experience for people with lower incomes. These individuals may not only feel the pressure to buy gifts for their family members but also to pick up friends, coworkers, and others who will be attending holiday parties. The pressure is even greater considering the fact that these individuals don't have as much money to spend on gifts and decorations as those in higher income brackets.
However, this doesn't mean that these individuals don't participate in the holiday festivities; they just do so by purchasing less expensive items. They can go to dollar stores and swap meets where they find things like homemade decorations and other items that come at low prices. In order to save even more money, they can bake cookies or make homemade decorations, if they have time.
4. The history behind gift giving and how it has changed over time
The actual origins of Christmas and gift-giving are obscure and lost to the sands of time. One theory about the origin of Santa Claus is that he was a personification of St. Nicholas, a real-life bishop who was renowned for his generosity and good deeds.
Although many people now believe that the motive for giving gifts at Christmas is solely driven by commercialism, it is possible that this tradition dates back to early religious observances. As far as we know, Christians were giving gifts before Christmas.
As Christianity spread across Europe during the first few centuries AD, a few different traditions emerged surrounding holidays like December 25th and Easter. The most obvious holiday that these early Christians celebrated was the celebration of Jesus' birth. However, it is likely that this celebration was influenced by existing pagan holidays.
Conclusion
The economic impact of Christmas is a lot more complicated than many people realize. Whether you're looking for some math on how much does Christmas cost or the opportunity for retailers, there is a lot of insightful information in this article about the economics behind December 25th.
If you haven't got enough inventories, don't hesitate to contact us, we will try our best to support you and make it happen!