The holiday season is a time to celebrate, reflect and give thanks. The U.S. Census Bureau presents the following facts and figures along with wishes for a healthy, happy holiday season.
These facts are possible thanks to the invaluable responses to U.S. Census Bureau surveys. We appreciate the public’s cooperation as we measure America’s people, places and economy.
The estimated retail sales for the nation’s department stores in December 2024.
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The estimated percentage of 2024 hobby, toy and game store sales that occurred in December.
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The estimated value of retail sales by electronic shopping and mail-order houses in December 2024, the highest estimated total for any month last year.
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The fourth quarter 2024 seasonally adjusted after-tax profits for U.S. retail trade corporations with assets of $50 million and over, up $3.3 billion from the $45.1 billion recorded in the third quarter of 2024.
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The value of U.S. imports of Christmas decorations from China for 2024. China led the way with 86.8% of the U.S. total imports of Christmas decorations.
Source: International Trade Statistics, Harmonized System Codes 9505.10 (Christmas decorations)
The value of U.S. imports of LED Christmas tree lights for 2024. Cambodia led the way with 66.6% of the total U.S. imports of LED Christmas tree lights.
Source: International Trade Statistics, Harmonized System Code 9405.31 (LED Christmas Tree Lighting Strings)
The number of employer establishments nationwide that primarily produced dolls, toys and games in 2023, a decrease of 18 establishments from 2022 (503 establishments). These establishments employed 5,442 workers in the pay period, including March 12, a decrease of 935 employees from 2022 (6,377 employees). California led the nation with 65 establishments in 2023.
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The value of U.S. imports of tapered candles in 2024. Most of these came from Vietnam, representing 54.8% of America’s imported tapered candles, followed by Canada with 14.3%.
Source: International Trade Statistics, Harmonized System Code 3406 (Candles, tapers, and the like)
There are many holiday-sounding places in the United States. For example, more than a dozen areas have Holly in their names, including:
There’s also:
and if you know about reindeer,
and don’t forget.
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Observances in our Facts for Features series:
Editor’s note: These data come from a variety of sources and may be subject to sampling variability and other sources of error. We generally release Facts for Features about two months before observances to accommodate magazine production timelines. For more information, contact the Census Bureau’s Public Information Office at (301)763-3030 or <[email protected]>.
Profile America's Facts for Features provides statistics related to observances and holidays not covered by Stats for Stories. For observances not listed above, visit our Stats for Stories webpage.
Stats for Stories provides links to timely story ideas highlighting newsworthy Census Bureau statistics that relate to current events, observances, holidays and anniversaries. The story ideas are intended to assist the media in story mining and producing content for their audiences. Dates with presidential proclamations are marked with (P).