With holiday shopping officially underway, many families are feeling the pressure to find the perfect gifts without going over their budget.

NerdWallet’s 2025 Holiday Spending Report shows the average American plans to spend $1,107 on holiday gifts this season — $182 more than last year — making smart spending strategies more important than ever.

For Kimberly Sneed, a mom in Avondale, Arizona, that planning starts early.

“With three boys at home, we shop early and often for the holidays, to try to get the best deals,” Sneed said.

This year, her kids’ wish lists are driven by top trends.

“The Pokémon cards, I have two boys that collect. So these are top on their list,” Sneed said.

To avoid overspending, she focuses on a balanced approach to gift buying.

“We always like to focus on g

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