Money's no object during the holidays

These numbers tell all when it comes to how much American are willing to spend during the wintery season.

By Victoria Sanchez
The Tori Times Online

Shoppers crowd around items at a Best Buy in Hobart, Ind. on Black Friday, the popular shopping day on Nov. 25. Photo: Tim Tom
Jewelry sales jump 163 percent during the holiday season of November and December. Photo: Keith McLaurin

The holidays mean starting months before to save a little cash for presents. But how much money does America spend in decorations and gifts?

In 2002 Christmas tree farmers racked in $466 million.

Tree farmers in Oregon brought in $160 million from tree sales in 2002, making the Beaver State the nation’s Christmas tree capital. North Carolina, Washington, Michigan and Ohio round out the top five states in tree sales.

But what about toys? In 2002 American spent $30.6 billion in toys and $10.3 billion were from the sales of video games.

Imported tree ornaments from China are also a hot item. In 2002 about $971 million worth of the tree decorations were shipped into the country.

China was also the leading foreign source of artificial Christmas trees shipped to the United States and Americans spend about $93 million on those.