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Princeton, N.J.--Early estimates from American consumers indicate that 2011 holiday spending will be stronger than in 2010, according to Gallup, a research-based performance-management consulting company.

Americans estimate that they will spend $756 on gifts this year, up from $686 in December 2010. The $70 increase in spending intentions points to a stronger holiday season and is the highest December estimate Gallup has measured since before the 2008 recession. However, the estimate still remains below Gallup’s measurements from December 2003-2007, which usually exceeded $800.

Forty-eight percent of Americans said they will spend the same this year as last year, while 33 percent said they will be spending less. Eighteen percent said they will spend more. In 2010, only 14 percent of Americans said they would be spending more than the prior year, and 37 percent said they’d be spending less, pointing to an overall increase in spending this holiday season. 

Gallup’s daily spending measuring tracks the amount of money Americans spent the prior day, excluding major purchases such as homes or cars. Since the week of Thanksgiving, Americans have reported spending $77 per day, up from $72 over the same period in 2010 and $73 for the same period in 2009.

Gallup said a rise in its Economic Confidence Index may be related to Americans’ reports of greater spending, which at -36, is the least negative the organization has measured since mid-July.

Data from Gallup is based on telephone interviews conducted Dec. 15-18 with 1,019 adults 18 and older, living in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.