Nearly half of Generation Z adults have skipped or delayed rent or mortgage payments to afford holiday spending, according to a new survey commissioned by Accredited Debt Relief. The findings highlight the financial pressures facing younger Americans as holiday expenses compete with everyday bills and other financial responsibilities.

The survey of 2,000 U.S. adults who celebrate a winter holiday found that 46% of Gen Z respondents had delayed or skipped a housing payment to cover holiday expenses. That compared with 28% of millennials, 14% of Generation X and just 3% of baby boomers.

Overall, 62% of respondents said expectations surrounding holiday spending had become excessive or unrealistic. Nearly half, 46%, said they would skip gift-giving altogether if doing so would not disappoint or offend anyone.

Many Americans reported cutting back on essential expenses to make room in their holiday budgets. Nineteen percent reduced spending on groceries and everyday necessities, while 14% cut back on debt payments and another 14% reduced contributions to savings or emergency funds. Eleven percent delayed monthly bills, while 7% cut spending on medications and another 7% reduced healthcare expenses.

The survey also found that 35% of Americans had withdrawn money from savings to pay for holiday expenses, 19% had delayed or skipped a regular bill payment, and 20% had reduced or skipped retirement contributions.

Younger respondents reported the greatest financial trade-offs. Thirty-six percent of Gen Z participants said they had delayed or skipped a regular bill payment unrelated to rent or a mortgage, compared with 27% of millennials, 19% of Gen X and 6% of baby boomers. Nearly half of Gen Z respondents, 48%, had also used savings for holiday expenses.

Unexpected seasonal costs are adding to the pressure. Among respondents who identified overlooked holiday expenses, 36% said they typically charge those costs to a credit card. Another 31% said the additional expenses could push them from financial stability into a more difficult situation.

The survey found that 45% of Americans have already taken on or expect to take on holiday debt this year. That figure rises to 67% among Gen Z and 55% among millennials, compared with 28% of baby boomers. Nearly 15% of respondents were still paying off debt from the 2025 holiday season.

Among those who have incurred or anticipate holiday debt this year, 45% expect to pay it off by March 2027, while 20% said they were unsure when they would be debt-free.

Bobbi Rebell, chief financial education adviser at Accredited Debt Relief, said holiday spending should not come at the expense of financial stability. She encouraged consumers to set spending limits, reconsider gift-giving expectations and account for overlooked expenses such as shipping, decorations and entertaining.

Talker Research conducted the survey of 2,000 U.S. adults who celebrate a winter holiday between October 16 and 20, 2026.