Survey Reveals the Biggest Financial Fears of North Dakota Parents at Christmas

The holiday season is famously an expensive time of year. Following closely on the heels of Thanksgiving, families face mounting costs: gifts, travel to visit faraway relatives, tickets to holiday shows, visits to Santa, and extravagant meals. For parents in North Dakota, the pressure to create festive magic without breaking the bank can be overwhelming.

WiseVoter.com conducted a study analyzing holiday spending across all fifty states. According to the findings, the average household in North Dakota spends $1,138 during the holiday season, placing the state at 28th in the national rankings.

A survey by CardRates asked 3,000 parents to rank the most financially stressful holiday activities, revealing the top worries for families in the Peace Garden State:

1. Holiday Travel

Traveling to see family or take a vacation tops the list. Flights, gas, or train tickets are notoriously expensive during peak holiday periods, especially for those in remote areas.

2. Tickets to Holiday Shows

Whether it’s a Christmas play or a holiday concert, ticket prices—especially for premium seating—add up fast for families. Souvenirs and festive snacks at venues only pile on the costs.

3. Gifts for Kids and Extended Family

Buying gifts is another major concern. Kids’ wish lists often include high-tech gadgets, and the more relatives involved, the bigger the financial burden.

4. Extravagant Holiday Meals

Indulgent holiday meals at home or dining out can quickly eat into budgets. If dining out, tips and festive extras make the final bill even steeper.

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5. Holiday Amusement Parks

Winter wonderlands and amusement parks are festive but pricey, with tickets, rides, and treats like hot chocolate adding to the tally.

6. School Holiday Activities

From teacher gifts to costumes for school plays, school-related holiday expenses also cause stress for parents.

7. Santa Visits

A visit to Santa’s grotto or a photo session with the man in red is another common expense, often packaged with small gifts but rarely budget-friendly.

8. Ice Skating

Seasonal rinks offer festive fun but can drain wallets with admission fees, skate rentals, and rinkside snacks.

The Bigger Picture

The survey also found that 54% of North Dakota parents feel pressured to match the spending habits of others. More than a third (37%) have skipped a tradition due to costs, and 66% feel the need to spend more each year to meet their kids’ expectations.

While some parents set financial boundaries by managing expectations (49%) or openly discussing limits with their children (34%), many experience guilt: 61% admitted feeling guilty about skipping activities or gifts due to cost.

For families juggling holiday cheer and finances, the struggle is real—but it’s okay to prioritize moments over material things.