Gift Cards and Electronics Take Top Spots as Favorite Gifts to
Give and Receive
RIVERWOODS, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 7, 2013--
Americans are planning to celebrate this holiday season without all the
fuss, according to the latest Discover Annual Holiday Shopping Survey.
Gift cards are the most popular gift of the season, both to give and
receive, and a majority plan to skip the hustle and bustle of holiday
travel.
Entertaining at home is Americans’ favorite way to celebrate, with half
planning to host Thanksgiving and/or Christmas Day in their homes,
followed by Christmas Eve, 35 percent; New Year’s Eve, 25 percent; and
New Year’s Day, 21 percent. When hosting their holiday parties,
consumers are finding ways to be festive without breaking the bank – 41
percent expect to spend between $100 and $300, and 22 percent expect to
spend between $300 and $500.
Restraint over Riches: Consumers Keeping Holiday Gatherings Simple
As Americans manage expenses this season while hosting holiday parties,
many will invite their guests to contribute to the merriment. Sixty-two
percent say they will invite guests to bring a dish, and 39 percent will
invite them to bring a beverage.
Consumers will save in other ways, including cutting postage costs by
sending out email invitations instead of paper invitations, at 24
percent, and offering small bites at parties instead of a full meal, at
21 percent.
When it comes to celebrating the holiday season with friends, 46 percent
will host or attend a holiday-themed party and 21 percent will let
someone else do the cooking and go to a restaurant.
Top Holiday Gifts of 2013
Gift cards, perhaps one of the simplest gift options, are also what
consumers are asking for most. In fact, 23 percent of Americans are
somewhat likely to toss or never use a gift they receive for the
holidays if they don’t like it, making gift cards the safer choice.
|
|
|
What gifts are you most likely to give this year?
|
|
What gifts are you most hoping to receive this year?
|
Gift cards
|
|
36%
|
|
30%
|
|
Gift cards
|
Electronics/appliances
|
|
17%
|
|
23%
|
|
Electronics/appliances
|
Apparel
|
|
13%
|
|
9%
|
|
Books, music, movies, etc.
|
Books, music, movies, etc.
|
|
10%
|
|
9%
|
|
Experience (vacation, sporting event, concert)
|
Home goods (furniture, décor, tools, etc.)
|
|
6%
|
|
8%
|
|
Apparel
|
Jewelry, watch
|
|
4%
|
|
7%
|
|
Home goods (furniture, décor, tools, etc.)
|
Experience (vacation, sporting event, concert)
|
|
3%
|
|
5%
|
|
Jewelry, watch
|
Restaurant reservations
|
|
2%
|
|
2%
|
|
Spa experience
|
Spa experience
|
|
1%
|
|
1%
|
|
Restaurant reservations
|
Other
|
|
7%
|
|
7%
|
|
Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
If the price is right, shoppers are also willing to buy things for
themselves. Plentiful deep sales and retailer promotions will encourage
66 percent of shoppers to “self-gift,” or purchase a special something
for themselves.
There’s No Place like Home for the Holidays
Although the holiday season is a peak time for travel, most Americans
plan to stay in town this year. Sixty percent of them expect to stay
local, while 26 percent plan to travel or take a vacation. Domestic
destinations are the most popular for holiday travel, 81 percent;
followed by the Caribbean, 11 percent; and Europe, 10 percent.
About the Discover Annual Holiday Shopping Survey
The Discover Annual Holiday Shopping Survey was an online poll of 1,005
American adults, 502 male and 503 female. The poll was conducted online
between Sept. 24 and Oct. 22, 2013, by Penn Schoen and Berland.
About Discover
Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) is a direct banking and payment
services company with one of the most recognized brands in U.S.
financial services. Since its inception in 1986, the company has become
one of the largest card issuers in the United States. The company issues
the Discover card, America's cash rewards pioneer, and offers home
loans, private student loans, personal loans, home equity loans,
checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit and money market
accounts through its direct banking business. It operates the Discover
Network, with millions of merchant and cash access locations; PULSE, one
of the nation's leading ATM/debit networks; and Diners Club
International, a global payments network with acceptance in more than
185 countries and territories. For more information, visit www.discover.com/company.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20131107005419/en/
Source: Discover Financial Services
Media Contact:
Discover
Alyssa Siegele
224-405-4113
alyssasiegele@discover.com