Americans Projected to Reach New High in Holiday Spending

The price tag on Christmas continues to increase. The majority of that money is going to one place.

There's just something magical about the holidays isn't there? Despite the cold weather, you feel so warm on the inside. You're filled with memories of Christmases past and you feel your spirits are lifted. It really isn't until the New Year when you're planning your new budget that you are slapped in the face with reality...

Those receipts!

While you were feeling holly and jolly, you actually racked up some serious credit card debt. I don't think we mean to spend so much, but we find ourselves wrapped up (no pun intended) in the spirit of the holiday season. This year, experts are eMarketer are predicting that Americans will spend $1 trillion between November 1 and December 31.

That's trillion with a "t."

That number is about a 5.8 percent increase form 2017 and the strongest year-to-year growth that we've seen since 2011. Not to mention it's the first time that we have seen that trillion number tossed around. What's interesting is where that money is going.

As it sits right now, 88 percent of that money will be spent in brick and mortar stores. Despite the influx of online shopping and deals, Americans will be braving the conditions and crowds to shop in physical stores. That number, while still the majority, continues to decrease each year. In fact, we've seen a 16.6 percent increase in e-commerce shopping since last year.

Of course, this is all a forecast. Things could change between now and the New Year. However, I'm feeling extra nostalgic this year so my husband may want to hide the plastic and block me from our accounts.

Merry Christmas!