This holiday season, 95% of U.S. consumers will celebrate at least one of the four major holidays remaining in 2024 (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve), while 72% will celebrate at least three, according to results from Numerator’s Q4 Holiday Survey.
Overall, 62% of people plan to celebrate Halloween, 87% Thanksgiving, 90% Christmas, and 63% New Year’s Eve.
Gen Z and Millennials are more likely than other generations to celebrate Halloween and New Year’s Eve.
Numerator found that decorating is the top way that shoppers will celebrate this upcoming Halloween, with 59% of shoppers reporting plans to decorate their home, followed closely by 58% of survey respondents planning to hand out candy and treats.
Four in five Halloween celebrators will purchase candy this Halloween (80%), while 48% of consumers will buy decorations. Among the shoppers who plan to buy alcohol (23% of respondents), beer is the top choice (62%) followed by spirits (51%).
This Thanksgiving, 70% of celebrators plan to gather with family and friends, and 55% plan to cook or bake their meal at home. Numerator reported that Gen Z and Millennials are also more likely to travel for Thanksgiving than other generations.
Food remains the main event for 89% of those planning to celebrate the event. A third of people will purchase beverages—alcoholic (31%) and nonalcoholic (32%). For those who do plan to purchase alcohol for their Thanksgiving event, wine is the top choice (70%) followed by beer (52%).
For Christmas, gifts and food will be the most widely purchased items with 80% of celebrators planning to purchase these items. Over one-third of celebrators will purchase decorations (43%), candy (42%) or alcohol (36%).
Gift cards are expected to be the top Christmas gift this year, with 71% of survey respondents planning to give them as gifts. Other leading gifts will be apparel (55%), toys or games (49%), home goods (33%), and food (29%). Twelve percent of survey respondents said they would purchase gifts at a small format store, such as a convenience store.
This New Year’s Eve, shoppers plan to celebrate with food and alcoholic beverages: 79% of shoppers plan to purchase food, while 58% will buy alcoholic beverages. Among those planning to purchase alcohol, beer is the top choice (59%) closely followed by champagne (56%).