SALT LAKE CITY — Between inflation, debt worries, and the strong chance your mom’s Christmas present may get stuck on a container ship, several surveys indicate Americans are splurging less than usual this holiday season. 

“Around 70 million consumers say that they’re going to spend less this holiday shopping season than last year,” Jill Gonzalez of WalletHub, one of the personal-finance websites that conducted such a survey, said.

Gonzalez said their research also uncovered an interesting juxtaposition. 

“There are certainly things that people would maybe, hypothetically, spend more money on,” she commented about the data WalletHub shared with the KSL Investigators. 

Turns out, you are not the only one who hates wrapping presents. In fact, 25% of the people surveyed said they would pay extra to get their purchases gift wrapped.  

Also, you are not the only one tired of your order arriving late. Forty-four percent of the respondents said they would gladly pay more for faster delivery.

And you are not the only one stressed out by all the things that must get done during the holidays. Fifty-three percent of the people surveyed would be thrilled to pay for some peace and quiet. 

Another touchpoint for many consumers: customer service. 

“Thirty-three percent said they would pay more for friendlier customer service,” Gonzalez said. 

That is right — from restaurants to retailers, people are reporting they have noticed a decline in the quality of customer service. 

Though Gonzalez quickly pointed out that with labor shortages, shipping delays, and everything else, those who work in customer service are stressed out, too. 

“Hopefully, we see the holiday spirit kind of catch on not only to customer service, but customers themselves,” she remarked. 

Interesting side note: 18% of folks also report they are willing to pay more for a COVID-19 booster shot. 

 That seems a tad odd since the shots are widely available, plus, they are free.