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Annual Holiday Spending in U.S.

Every winter, Americans spend about $450 billion on food, gifts, decorations, and other holiday wares.

Ever wonder what would happen if we took just a little of that money and sent it somewhere else? What could change if every American bought a meal for a stranger, instead of a sweater for their dog? Would it really matter?

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Cost to Change the World

Less than 20 percent of our total holiday spending -- $77 billion -- could end some of the most devastating effects of global poverty, including hunger, disease, deforestation, and lack of education.

If Americans cut back just a little on gifts, decorations, and other holiday spending, we really could change the world. We can have our holiday pies and share them, too. Don't believe it?




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Budget Changes

The average American currently spends about $1,936 every holiday season. With a few minor adjustments, we could all save some extra cash and send it to someone in need.

If we all gave $130 out of that $1,936, we could end hunger for a year. For $2.13 annually, we could actually save the rainforest. And for $43, we could give every man, woman, and child in the world clean water for at least ten years, eliminating 35.75 million deaths.

Imagine what a holiday season like that would look like.



Clean Water vs. Jewelry

During the holidays each year, Americans spend about $9.3 billion on jewelry. Ten billion dollars would ensure clean water for every person in the world. At any given time, half of the world's hospital beds are filled with people with water-related diseases.

Education vs. Postage

Americans spend $20 billion to mail cards, letters and packages every holiday season. Currently, 130 million children aren't in school. Lack of education is one of the leading causes of poverty world-wide. For $15 billion annually, every person in the world could be guaranteed a primary education.


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What choice will you make?

The average American spends more than $20 on holiday gifts for pets. That amount could buy a flock of chickens -- a long-term source of food and income -- for an impoverished family, through Heifer International. We each spend more than $40 on things like holiday greetings cards. Just $30 would buy 500 bricks to build one classroom wall, through the Girl Effect.

Find other places to cut back, and learn what impacts small choices can make here.
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Jennifer Grode, of Pacific Grove, CA, will not buy pet gifts in order to pledge $15.00 to Conservation International (rainforest protection).

 
Judy Allen, of Pasadena, Texas, will not buy pet gifts in order to pledge $100.00 to The Girl Effect (global education).

 
Alex Valigosky, of Toledo, OH, will use homemade decorations in order to pledge $35.00 to Conservation International (rainforest protection).

 
Greg Knowles, of Monterey, Ca. , will reduce giving material gifts in order to pledge $50.00 to The Water Project (clean water).

 
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Valigosky, of Toledo, OH, will buy less holiday junk food in order to pledge $35.00 to Global Fund (AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria treatment and prevention).

 
Mr. and Mrs. Martin Ruikka, of Chelsea, MI, will host holiday potlucks instead of buying all food/drinks in order to pledge $35.00 to Heifer International (hunger).

 

Total pledged: $3765.00
$1120.00 to end hunger
$585.00 to ensure primary education
$1779.00 to provide clean water
$166.00 to treat and prevent disease
$115.00 to save tropical forests