Poll: 52% of U.S. Adults Fret Inflation Will Spoil Holiday Spending

National consumer confidence regarding holiday finances has slipped, with a new survey indicating that a majority of Americans expect inflation to impact their spending plans. The WalletHub poll, released in November 2026, shows that 52% of respondents believe rising prices will negatively affect their holiday season.

John Kiernan, managing editor at WalletHub, stated that the data reflects widespread concern. “We found that more than half, around 52% of Americans think inflation is going to ruin Christmas or whatever holiday you celebrate,” Kiernan said. The survey indicates that financial caution is driving budget decisions for the upcoming quarter.

Budget constraints are evident in the planning habits of most households. The survey found that 79% of respondents have set a holiday budget that is either the same size or smaller than the previous year. Additionally, one in four participants reported that they are still paying off debt from the prior holiday season, suggesting lingering financial strain from past spending.

Early shopping behavior remains a common strategy to mitigate costs. Kiernan noted that 41% of people typically begin purchasing gifts in October or earlier. He added that those who have not started yet still have options. “If you haven’t started shopping by now, that’s fine. There’s still plenty of opportunities to save money. And that’s the main thing that people are trying to do when they start shopping earlier versus the last minute. More than two in three people believe early holiday shopping saves them money overall,” he said.

The data also points to a specific hesitation regarding modern shopping tools. While most surveyed individuals maintain a set budget, 56% expressed a lack of trust in artificial intelligence to assist with their holiday purchasing decisions. This skepticism highlights a preference for traditional deal-hunting methods among a large portion of the consumer base.