Holiday shoppers continue to spend despite falling consumer sentiment

Economic anxiety continues to shadow many Americans, but holiday spending remains strong. 

Many workers say they worry about money most of the year, yet the holiday season offers a rare pause as families prioritize gifts and celebrations, even when budgets feel tight.

That contrast shows up in national data. Consumer sentiment fell to its lowest level in more than three years in November, according to the University of Michigan, before edging higher in December. 

Still, shoppers turned out in large numbers. Nearly 203 million people visited stores and websites from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday, the highest turnout in at least nine years, the National Retail Federation reported.

Major retailers beat sales expectations and reported steady demand across income groups. Shoppers continue to hunt for deals and delay big purchases, but emotions and tradition are keeping holiday spending resilient.