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Holiday gift giving in retreat

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  • Waldfogel, Joel

Abstract

Using US cross-section data, holiday gift giving is a normal good whose income elasticity of demand is about 0.5. As income rose 1914–2000, aggregate holiday gift expenditure grew as well. Since 2000, however, holiday giving has fallen in real terms as income has continued to rise. While gift giving remains normal in household cross sections, it behaves like an inferior good in the post-2000 national time series.

Suggested Citation

  • Waldfogel, Joel, 2023. "Holiday gift giving in retreat," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 222(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolet:v:222:y:2023:i:c:s0165176522004268
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econlet.2022.110952
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Shoichi Ito & E. Wesley F. Peterson & Warren R. Grant, 1989. "Rice in Asia: Is It Becoming an Inferior Good?," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 71(1), pages 32-42.
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    Keywords

    Holiday gift giving; Inferior goods;

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