By Editor , 30 October 2026
Early December Overtakes Black Friday as Peak Shopping Window

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – October 29, 2026 -- Twenty-nine percent of U.S. consumers plan to do most of their holiday shopping in early to mid-December, up from 19% in 2025, while Black Friday's share fell from 25% to 17%, according to the Bank of America 2026 Holiday Spending Survey.

By Editor , 29 October 2026
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68% of Americans Plan to Cut Holiday Spending This Year

MINNEAPOLIS – October 28, 2026 -- More than two-thirds of Americans (68%) plan to cut at least one holiday expense this year, with dining out, gifts and travel the most likely to shrink, according to Thrivent's 2026 Holiday Spending Survey.

Rising everyday costs are squeezing holiday budgets

More than half of Americans (52%) expect the economy to affect their holiday spending at least a fair amount. Some 35% say they have already reduced spending on essentials in the past 6-12 months.