Select is equal parts exciting and stressful. For many people, that stress isn't just about running around figuring out what to get their loved ones — it's also about making sure their finances don't take a serious hit as a result of increased spending. A survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics for the National Retail Federation in October 2023 found that consumers expect to spend $875 on average for seasonal items this year. The bulk of that — $620 — will be spent on gifts.
Some credit card offers require new cardholders to spend thousands of dollars within a few short months. For some, that's relatively easy with everyday expenses, but for others, it can be a challenge. However, these offers tend to earn points or miles that you can redeem for travel. So while this doesn't provide immediate savings on your holiday shopping, it can be a great sort of "rebate" for the future when you plan a trip. One example is the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, which earns new cardholders 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within three months from account opening