A new poll finds roughly half of Americans say they're finding it harder than usual to afford holiday gifts this year and 40% are having to dip into their savings.

A recent poll indicates that many Americans are finding it harder to afford holiday gifts due to rising prices on essentials such as groceries, electricity, and gifts. About half of respondents report increased difficulty in purchasing gifts, with 40% dipping into savings and a majority viewing the economy as poor.

Financial strain has also led to a decrease in charitable giving, with organizations like the Salvation Army noting higher demand for services but fewer donations. New reports on hiring and consumer prices are expected soon, which may provide further insight into Americans' financial outlook.

High prices hitting Christmas shoppers hard

Well, there's 11 days until Christmas for some holiday shoppers. The season is turning out to be a little less merry. A new poll finds many Americans are dipping into their savings or using buy now, pay later options. CBS's Ali Bauman in New York City with the details. Good evening, Jerika. As we hit the heart of the holiday shopping season, a new poll from the Associated Press shows a vast majority of Americans are noticing higher than usual prices on groceries, electricity, and gifts. Maybe we should get that. Nisha Davis-Johnson is Christmas shopping for her granddaughter and checking prices carefully. It's just so expensive to live in the U.S. right now. So any way we can get a break, a deal, a coupon, anything like that, we're gonna go for it. A new poll finds roughly half of Americans say they're finding it harder than usual to afford holiday gifts this year, and 40% are having to dip into their savings. 68% view the country's economy as poor. That's in sharp contrast with how President Trump rated himself on the economy this past week. A plus. A plus. Yeah, A plus, plus, plus, plus, plus. In a new interview with the Wall Street Journal, the president said while he's created a great economy, quote, it may take people a while to figure all these things out. With less financial flexibility, Americans are pulling back on charity. The Salvation Army says it's hurting for donations in a time of great need. Merry Christmas. The demand for our services have been up 20 to 25% across the country, while at the same time, so far this Christmas season, the cattle effort has been down about 5% in many parts of the country. Now, we have not seen a report on hiring since September because of the government shutdown, but new numbers are set to be released on Tuesday, and new data on consumer prices and how Americans are feeling about their finances and the economy overall is also set to be released this week. Farika? Ali Bauman, thank you.

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Providence

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Bondi Beach

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Berlin

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Council of the City of Sydney

Israel calls Bondi shooting attack on Jews, urges action on antisemitism

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Gunmen kill several at Jewish gathering in Sydney's Bondi Beach

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Minsk

Belarus releases 123 prisoners as U.S. lifts sanctions

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London

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Phnom Penh

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Belarus releases political prisoners as U.S. lifts some sanctions

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Kup'yans'k

Ukraine Invasion

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Brussels

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Washington

House Democrats release more Epstein estate photos

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Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

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Moscow

EU triggers emergency clause to indefinitely immobilise Russian assets

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Samraong

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Myanmar's military bombs a hospital in western Rakhine state, at least 31 people are killed and dozens injured.

Breakdown