Another holiday is fast approaching. And the trend toward Americans spending more money to celebrate continues. According to the National Retail Federation’s 2007 St. Patrick’s Day Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, consumers will spend $3.8 billion celebrating the Irish – and not all of that’s on green beer. That’s right – the average consumer is expected to spend $34.89 celebrating the holiday, compared with last year’s $27.94.

This upward climb in holiday spending as a whole is yet another reason for online marketers to begin their holiday pushes early to get the attention of consumers looking to celebrate annual occasions.

Here’s the breakdown of spending for major annual holidays in 2006, according to Retail Wire: Nearly $4.96 billion was estimated to be spent on Halloween of 2006. That’s up from $3.3 billion in 2005. The major holiday season (Christmas, Hanukkah, etc.) raked in an estimated $457.4 billion estimated last year. Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day were nearly dead-even at $13.7 billion and $13.8 billion, respectively, while Easter brought in $12.63 billion and consumers spent $9.01 billion on Father’s Day.

Numbers like that are certainly giving online retailers a reason to celebrate. So start your promotions early and give consumers a reason to join the online party.