More than 90% of Americans expect to spend no more than last year at the holidays this year, according to a survey published by the Conference Board, an institution specializing in current polls.
According to the survey in a sample without quantifying of "households intend to buy gifts", 53% intend to spend the same as last year and 39.7% a smaller amount.
Only 7.3% of respondents have plans to spend more.
"As we approach the holidays, we find once again that the aim of pointing household thrift," the Conference Board said in a statement. On average, U.S. households plan to spend $ 497 for year-end gifts.
Consumption is traditionally the engine of U.S. economic growth. However this has tended to slow down due to financial constraints that weigh on households.
In the U.S., the holiday season begins with Thanksgiving Day, the last Thursday of November, reminiscent of the first crop of European settlers on the continent.
The festivities culminate after Christmas and New Year.