23 percent
The proportion that the nation's department stores (excluding leased departments) built up their inventories between the end of August and the end of November 2003. Thanks to the holiday hordes, inventories plummeted by 24 percent in the year's final month.

1.8 million
The number of people employed at department stores in December 2003. This number typically swells during the holiday season, last year rising by 44,600 over November and 159,900 over October. Apparel and accessory stores showed similar seasonal employment gains.

Where are Christmas Gifts Made?
179
Number of establishments around the country that primarily manufactured dolls and stuffed toys in 2001; they employed 2,271 people; their total shipments: $296 million. California led the nation with 29 such locations, and New York employed the most, 374.

779
The number of locations that primarily produced games, toys and children's vehicles in 2001; they employed 21,644 workers and shipped $3.1 billion of goods. California led the nation in the number of these establishments with 117 and Ohio in the number of people they employed, 2,972.

$601 million
The value of U.S. imports of stuffed toys (excluding dolls) from China between January and July 2004. China was the leading country of origin for toys coming into this country, as well as for a number of other popular holiday gifts that were imported. These include electric trains ($40 million over the period); puzzles ($27 million); roller skates ($38 million); sports footwear ($148 million); golf equipment ($29 million); and basketballs ($32 million). Canada was the leading supplier of ice skates ($8 million).

Where Holiday Gifts are Purchased
11,086
The number of electronic shopping and mail-order houses in business in 2001. These businesses, which employed 280,912 workers, are a popular source of holiday gifts. Their sales: $109 bilion, of which 24 percent were attributable to e-commerce. California led the nation in the number of these establishments and their employees, with 1,746 and 30,291, respectively.

If you're not sure where to do your shopping, choices of retail establishments abound: In 2001, there were 151,668 clothing and clothing accessories stores; 10,374 department stores; 10,783 hobby, toy and game shops; 33,678 gift, novelty and souvenir shops; 22,468 sporting goods stores; 29,780 jewelry stores; and 11,559 book stores.

47,104
The number of malls and shopping centers dotting the U.S. landscape as of 2003, a total that had increased by approximately 10,000 since 1990.

Winter Wonderland
7.4 million
The number of Americans who say they Alpine-ski more than once a year. Other popular winter sports are cross country-skiing and ice hockey (each around 2.0 million) and snowboarding (5.6 million).

More than 2 feet
Average depth of the snowfall each December in Valdez, Alaska; Mount Washington, N.H.; Blue Canyon, Calif.; Yakutat, Alaska; Sault Sainte Marie, Mich.; Marquette, Mich.; Syracuse, N.Y.; and Muskegon, Mich., all good places for winter sports participants. Nice places to visit, but ...