People hate spending too much money during the holidays.
In fact, it's the aspect a the holly jolly season that Americans find most distasteful, according to a new Harris Interactive poll.
Sure, Americans dislike the excessive eating and drinking (5 percent) that goes with this time of year. And many are not fans of putting up and taking down holiday decorations (7 percent). But half of the people surveyed say that they most dislike holiday crowds (23 percent) and overspending (27 percent).
(Read more: 8 tips to stick to your holiday budget)
And what do people like about the holidays? Fifty percent say they enjoy spending time with family and friends—but that can cost money, too.
The Hotwire.com American Travel Behavior Survey revealed that adults will spend $247 on obligatory Christmas travel this year. (The in-laws better appreciate it.)
Americans spend even when they have no idea what to buy.
According to the National Retail Federation, holiday shoppers will lay out an average of about $163 on gift cards this year, up 4 percent from 2012.
Read more: Holiday gift guides:
Holiday gifts for procrastinators
Pssst, Santa! This is what kids want this holiday
10 must-have gifts for gadget lovers
What to buy for the cigar fan
The most popular gift cards? Forty percent of consumers buy department store cards, with the next largest group getting restaurant gift cards. Twelve percent of consumers will give highly practical gas station gift cards, which may help defray those holiday travel costs.
—By CNBC's Kevin Kane
