When it comes to Christmas gifting, it seems the majority of Americans are not only in the dark about what to buy their loved ones, but they are rather clueless about how much money to spend.

And the biggest disparity is between men and women, with the former looking to miserly Scrooge for inspiration, while the latter tend to adopt more of a selfless Santa Claus approach.

In a survey of over 2,000 people, conducted by SkinStore.com, it was revealed that 80 per cent of women expect their man to spend a minimum of $250 on them this Christmas. However, in reality, the average man spends only $90.

Bah humbug: When it comes to Christmas gifting, the majority of Americans do not know what to buy their loved ones or how much money to spend

Double trouble: Women spend almost double a man's budget on gifts for others

Great expectations: Women tend to be more generous even though they don't receive expensive gifts

The survey also found women spend almost double that of men, spending on average $700, compared to $400.

And while men spend less, they expect $200 to be spent on them. Luckily for them, women spend on average $170 so they shouldn't feel too short changed.

The types of gifts people wanted also different hugely between the sexes, with women found to be more sentimental, requesting 'quality time with loved ones' as their number one choice at 35 per cent.

This was followed by money (23 per cent), beauty products (20 per cent), holidays (10 per cent) and seeing long lost family (six per cent).

Clothing, jewelry, vouchers and hand-made gifts only amounted to four per cent collectively.

The majority of men (35 per cent) opted for 'sports tickets' as their first preferences, followed by money (17 per cent), time with loved ones (16 per cent) and beauty products at 13 per cent.

Alcohol, fragrance, games, clothes, vouchers and seeing long lost family members were less than 10 per cent a piece.

Interestingly, a whopping 80 per cent of all those surveyed said they wanted cash gifts, yet only two per cent are brave enough to ask for it.

Break down: Women tend to favor quality time with loved ones while men want to spend their quality time at sporting events

Big spenders: Texans spend the most money on gifts at Christmas followed by people who live in Florida, New York, Massachusetts and Ohio

Age is also a divisive factor in this - 25-34-year-olds ask for money more than any other age group, while 40-60 year olds appreciate thoughtful presents over cold hard cash.

The survey also revealed who the biggest spenders in the country are, with people in Texas averaging an approximate spend of $900.

Florida came second ($850), followed by New York ($800), Massachusetts ($750), and Ohio ($700). People in Washington, California and Nevada spend the least at Christmas overall, averaging at $180 total.

The survey also revealed how not to make the naughty list.

For women, household appliances and clothing was voted bottom of the list. Men voted books and food as the biggest gift faux pass women can make.

Emma Campbell, Communications Manager at SkinStore said: 'We were fascinated by the findings and the significant difference between expectation and spend; women being the biggest losers receiving just half of what they are expecting being spent on them.

She continued: 'It clearly demonstrates that customers are looking for value, with a great expectation on return of spend.'