BOISE, Idaho (KBOI) — While many of us are still putting the finishing touches on Thanksgiving dinner, more than half of Americans have already started their holiday shopping.
The average American is expected to spend $935.58 this season and a lot of that money is going to be spent of toys.
It may not seem believable that most people have already started buying gifts or that the average person is going to be $900 lighter after that shopping spree, but the manager of G. Willikers Toy Merchant in Boise's North End says based on the amount and cost of all the gifts they've already sold and wrapped, it's probably not too far from the truth.
"I think Boise is probably going to be on the lower end of that, but I've definitely already sold to parents, you know, a couple hundred (dollars) and it seems to me that they're going to be coming back later," said Casey Brown, the toy store manager.
Keep in mind that "couple hundred dollars" is just on toys and only at one store. Once you add in any gifts for co-workers, adult family members, and any big ticket items for yourself, $900 isn't all that far away.
Also, many people this holiday season are expected to buy gifts for their pets.
The manager at Northwest Pets in Meridian said she's seen people come in and spend as much as $100 per pet just on gifts for the holidays.
"They want to pick up a special treat or they take a special toy and they absolutely are stuffing stockings for those four-legged family members," said Tracy Phipps, the pet store manager.
In fact, Phipps said many people are buying gifts for their kid's pets or as they call them: their grand-pets.
Toys and video games may be whisked off store shelves to be given as gifts this year, but it's no surprise clothes and gift cards are expected to be the most common gift given.
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