As kids put together their wish lists, parents are gearing up to shop this holiday season.
The most popular items kids are asking for this year are toys and electronics, including items like Barbie dolls, Legos, the iPhone 17 and an Oura ring, according to an October survey of over 1,000 adults published by Intuit Credit Karma.
Tickets for entertainment events such as concerts and sporting events are also popular asks, nearly a third of parents say. And although buzz around collectible Labubu dolls has cooled this fall, they’re still in demand this holiday season, with 28% of parents expecting their children to ask for one, the survey said.
Here are the five most common items parents say their kids are asking for this holiday season:
Toys and games, including Barbies, fidget toys, Legos or slime: 54%Electronics and tech, such as the iPhone 17, Nintendo Switch, Apple Watch or Oura Ring: 47%Entertainment, like concert tickets, sporting event tickets or music festival tickets: 32%Trendy clothing and accessories, including brands such as Brandy Melville, Lululemon or Princess Polly: 29%Collectibles and novelty items, like Labubu dolls, Sonny Angels or miscellaneous blind boxes: 28%
Shoppers say they plan to spend an average of $1,007 on gifts this year, slightly down from the reported $1,014 in 2024, but up from $923 in 2023, according to an October Gallup Poll of 1,000 Americans.
Barbies generally retail for anywhere from $10.49 to $44.99 for a collectible doll, the iPhone 17 starts at $799 and Labubus are listed for $27.99.
In 2024, the average ticket price for the top 100 touring concerts of the year was $135.92, according to an analysis by Pollstar. However, the get-in price may be much higher if you buy tickets on the resale market.
Price increases from tariffs are adding extra stress
Included in this year’s spending budget is the potential for additional costs from tariffs. Financial services firm LendingTree estimates shoppers could incur an extra $132 each due to tariffs — adding a total of $40.6 billion in holiday costs to all shoppers and sellers.
Nearly 50% of Americans surveyed by Credit Karma said they are stressed about affording the holidays this year, 39% said they feel pressure to spend more than they can afford and over 80% say they are concerned that increased costs from tariffs will impact their holiday shopping.
Gift giving should not affect your financial wellbeing
Though you may feel pressure to be generous during the holiday season, gift giving should never affect your financial wellbeing, Erika Rasure, chief financial wellness advisor at Beyond Finance, previously told CNBC Make It.
To keep your spending at a comfortable level, try to be intentional about the gifts you choose to give, take time to avoid impulse purchases and remember, it’s always OK to say “no” without guilt, she said.
“Give yourself permission to say, ‘No,'” Rasure said. “It’s OK to prioritize your finances and where you’re headed this holiday season.”
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