How Much Are You Spending on Gifts?

The holiday season can be an expensive time of year when it comes to gift giving.

According to a recent survey conducted by AAA Consumer Pulse, more than half of holiday shoppers plan to spend between $251 and $750 on gifts this year.

The majority of survey respondents, 44 percent, plan to purchase gifts for six to 10 people, and 43 percent said they planned to make purchases using a credit card, while 54 percent plan to use a debit card, checks or cash.

The survey shows almost half, 48 percent, of holiday shoppers plan to buy more gifts on sale this year, more consumers plan to shop on Black Friday—51 percent in 2011 versus 47 percent in 2010—and Cyber Monday—56 percent in 2011 versus 49 percent in 2010. Four out of five holiday shoppers—82 percent—said they intend to shop at discount stores such as  and .

These are the top 10 categories for gift shopping, according to AAA:

1. Gift cards/gift certificates
2. Apparel and accessories
3. Toys
4. Books
5. DVDs/Blu-rays/Videos
6. Jewelry
7. Consumer electronics
8. Video games
9. Music
10. Sporting goods

AAA offers lsat-minute tips on ways to save on holiday shopping:

• Take advantage of retail or online discounts and check with any clubs or associations such as AAA to see if discounts and rewards are available. AAA members saved nearly $2 billion in 2010
• When shopping online, look for special offers or dates from retailers when free shipping may be available.
• Check store circulars for in-store sales or coupons. Note that many retailers will honor sale prices if items were purchased the week before they went on sale.
• Sort through junk mail since many retailers send bonus coupons and gift cards in the mail during the holidays.
• Consider taking one retailer’s circular to another retailer and ask for competitive pricing.
• If you want to purchase an item in a store but forgot the coupon, ask if you can bring the coupon back for the adjusted price.