This holiday season isn't very merry for consumers, an AP-NORC poll finds

[dalton99a]

https://apnews.com/article/poll-economy-inflation-groceries-costs-trump-affordability-d27635d279b27e5e2c19700c006ebb1d

This holiday season isn’t very merry for consumers, an AP-NORC poll finds
By JOSH BOAK and AMELIA THOMSON-DEVEAUX
Updated 7:23 AM CST, December 12, 2025

WASHINGTON (AP) — This holiday season isn’t quite so merry for American shoppers as large shares are dipping into savings, scouring for bargains and feeling like the overall economy is stuck in a rut under President Donald Trump, a new AP-NORC poll finds.

The vast majority of U.S. adults say they’ve noticed higher than usual prices for groceries, electricity and holiday gifts in recent months, according to the survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

Roughly half of Americans say it’s harder than usual to afford the things they want to give as holiday gifts, and similar numbers are delaying big purchases or cutting back on nonessential purchases more than they would normally.

It’s a sobering assessment for the Republican president, who returned to the White House in large part by promising to lower prices, only to find that inflation remains a threat to his popularity just as it did for Democrat Joe Biden’s presidency. The poll’s findings look very similar to an AP-NORC poll from December 2022, when Biden was president and the country was grappling with higher rates of inflation. Trump’s series of tariffs have added to inflationary pressures and generated anxiety about the stability of the U.S. economy, keeping prices at levels that many Americans find frustrating.

The president has insisted there is “no” inflation and the U.S. economy is booming, as he expressed frustration that the public feels differently.

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There is zero inflation. And your groceries, utilities, and insurance have gone down 1,000%

[Phoenix61]

1. I like peppermint bark candy. It's always been a like pricey.

Last year a bag was $8.00. This year it was $13.00! All the other chocolate candy was more expensive too. Don’t get me started on aluminum foil. Almost $9.00 for a large roll of heavy duty.

[SheilaAnn]

3. I was appalled at the price of M&Ms, I love to grab a few from the dish and elder kids love them. I just can't justify

the cost (over $6). Ticks me off.

[dalton99a]

5. A 62 oz. jar that was around $10 forever at Sam's Club is now $16.48

[Linda ladeewolf]

6. M&Ms dark are is my hubby's favorite candy! A family size bag is $8.88 here.

[newdeal2]

2. No more pencils or dolls but at least you can say Merry Christmas

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

9. Only two dolls, no more, - Donny Dementia

[OC375]

4. eBay

We bought nostalgia for pennies on the dollar this year. We're sitting this one out. Hopefully, the little shops that sell online made some money they might have lost to AMZ buying junk.

[popsdenver]

7. The true impact of the Republicans conflagration

will hit this holiday season. Many corporations and retailers have already recognized the shocking downward trend, and started in November laying off people, instead of adding on for the holiday shoppers......Same with fedex, ups, and amazon....

The post offices, usually crowded out the door with people shipping gifts had only one person in line when I went there yesterday in the middle of the afternoon. I Mentioned it to the counter postal worker, and she said yes, we have all noticed that fact....
and that many customers have commented on it also...............

[appalachiablue]

8. ++ the reality, thanks for posting.

[Johonny]

10. I noticed low inventory.

Things I normally buy, like advent calendars, went quickly.

[Charmin One]

11. But it's fucking PARADISE for the rich

Record profits and sticck buybacks. The rich are in HOG HEAVEN.

[NickB79]

12. We did most of our shopping months ago

Only a few items: my daughter needed a new tablet since her Samsung is 4 yr old now, and since a Nintendo Switch 2 is too expensive, I found her a used but good condition Nintendo 2DS and an emulated card with 20 Pokemon games on it from GameStop for $200, since she's always wanted one.

Otherwise, I had $150 of cash back on my Discover Card that I used on Amazon for a few gifts for my wife and myself. And that's all, folks.

[BigmanPigman]

13. My holidays will only be "merry" if the fucking moron drops dead before Dec 25th.

I asked Santa for a world without any tRumps in it for forever! We know Ivanka's kids and Barron will be slipped into the POTUS agenda as future POTUSes. If there is a buck to be made and a SCOTUS turning a blind eye to the illegal activities of tRump/Satan it will continue over and over (don't forget the Bush clan).

All I want for Xmas is a DEAD tRump and Putin and his cabinet, and his constituents, and oh, wait, is my list getting too long for Santa to deliver in time. I hope not.

FUCK TRUMP! Please leave coal in their stockings as they choke on it in their last breath.

THAT would be the best Christmas ever and 2026 will be the best New Year's ever.

[Takket]

14. saw on the news that spending was projected to be up but only because the rich are just spending up a storm

they don't care about prices so they'll pay more for the tariffs, while the other 90% of us are trying to find every say and bargain we can find to get gifts.

[dalton99a]

15. Trump gave them a big Christmas gift this year

in his Big Beautiful Bill