The cost of Christmas

[Abby23]

I’m just curious to find out how much we have all spent this year on Christmas?.

Considering the state of the economy, are we spending less?, or the same?

Britain as a country is broke, the British people individually aren't broke because of the welfare state!

How do I get some of this welfare money?

Probably about £200 or £250. That’s on a tree, cards, taking wine to people’s houses for get togethers, having friends here for dinner, having a Christmassy meal in the pub. I’ve stopped giving gifts to almost everyone (only a couple of elderly relatives get gifts from me now).

Thanks for clarifying. What benefits do you get to pay for a £26k holiday and where can I sign up?

I think we’ve spent less, but not really deliberately.
We realised that our youngest (autistic) can’t cope with too many Christmas outings so we just did one trip to Santa (which he loved). Spent less on the kids overall because there was nothing big that they wanted this year. Didn’t buy any new Christmas decor as we don’t need any. DH and I didn’t buy for each other as we spent a lot on something we both wanted a couple of months ago. Food/drink wise we probably spent about the same as usual.
Last year we went abroad on the 29th December for a week and we haven’t done that this year so saved there! I think we probably spent about £2k all in this year.

As a British individual (who isn’t broke), I don’t get any benefits. Where can I sign up?

Obviously that is not funded by benefits that is probably funded by people with jobs! Benefits will only get you a couple of weeks in tenerife

Too much!

my share of an Airbnb plus lots on eating out and day trips.

More than usual as I had family staying for three days and I dread my electricity and gas bills 😥

around £1k.

I save £75 per month for Christmas, £75 per month for gifts (includes Mother’s Day, birthdays etc), £75 per month for dining out and £75 per month ‘fun money’ eg tickets. So £3600 for all fun stuff for the year, including Christmas.

I’ve collected most of the decs, festive crockery etc, over many years. I’m shop for wrapping paper, cards etc in the sales. And buy other bits and pieces in the sales across the year.

I reckon I’ve spent a little less than usual on Christmas. I was poorly, so we didn’t go out as much as we would have. And DD is an older teen who didn’t really want much or anything significant for a gift. I still got her plenty of lovely bits, but it wasn’t a year where she got a new phone or laptop or whatever.

Limited family gifts to £20 each this year.

Terrified that roles in my team received 200+ applicants this year. Although I have a role that is perceived as safe(ish) I would be very worried about competing for similar roles in this economy, were the worst to happen. Staff turnover in my Department has ground to a halt…people are deciding now is not the time to try something different or go for that interesting sideways move. Overall, not a time to be making big-ticket discretionary purchases.

We set out to spend less, but in the end we've spent about the same as usual, but I've tried to spend it more mindfully and on good quality gifts rather than lots of gifts, and focussed on supporting our local baker etc. as far as possible.
I still got too much and will try to cut back a bit next year.

We spent less than usual, only 1 Christmas Day out which is less than normal (especially as that coincided with DHs birthday so really it was for that). Less on presents all round.

This was all purely because we had a big holiday in November and then early December our car was written off so money was needed for that that had been earmarked for Christmas.

The plan is to go big next year as normal.

Part of the brokeness is the distribution of wealth.

I don't how much we spent this year. £1500, maybe? Family of 5, who don't really buy for anyone other than each other, my Mum and DH's Mum. Kids had around £2-300 each (we do equal number, rather than equal value. They value different things) and then the same for us as adults.

Much more than the last two years, because we were saving for our house and set a strict £100 limit for tree presents for the children and £30 for stockings. We were very lucky they already had lots of tech etc.

DC are 12, 14 and 17 this year, so one will be an adult and the other two both teens next year, so next Christmas will probably be in line with this or a bit less. DD and DS2 will get phone upgrades to iPhone 17s, as they currently have a 12 and an XR. We are planning a trip to Florida in 2027, so will try not to overspend on Christmas 2026.

We are fortunate not to be struggling, particularly. Mortgage is up for renewal January 2027 too, though, so will have to be careful-ish.

I don’t have a budget so I don’t have a figure but I bought more presents this year than i usually do. I’ve had a good year and wanted to spoil everyone 🎄🤩

More than usual, but we splashed out on some expensive gifts for the kids this Xmas which is totally NOT the norm.

Probably all in, around £1500, £1200 of which was the pricey gifts. Food was essentially free, as I had Tesco clubcard vouchers which covered it all.

I normally spend half of that, and certainly will not be spending this amount ever again.

I reckon less than a thousand on presents and food. Also a bit of £££ in the sales but I refuse to buy clothes at full price unless I absolutely need to.

Family of 4, two dc 20 and 25, with food we've probably spent 2k

Family of three here, we spent about 3k this year which is more than usual as our finances are better off this year. I love Christmas and don't spend anything I can't afford so will probably spend similar next year.

A bit less, personally… I am usually one for doing all the extra little bits (adding sweets to an already perfectly adequate present, for example, or adding lots of little gifts to my children’s piles.
I haven’t gone completely the other way, but I have been a lot more thoughtful about what I’ve bought - created a Christmas meal plan, etc.
Also the first year in a long while that I’ve not relied on or used credit as excuse to over extend - so it’s been tough, but I feel better for not taking that financial hangover into the New Year…

A lot more than usual. But I've probably overcompensated because I'm missing a kid. Everyone got told to enjoy it, because next year will be back to normal.

I didn't really get much more food wise and it's been fine. Going to carry that on next year.

Don't talk bollocks.

Nobody I know on benefits is rich.

Do you wish to abolish the welfare state? No support for people unexpectedly jobless, no NHS etc.

Stupid post.

About £2k

I love the mugs! have you seen the gravy boats? I have to be honest as much as I love the EB sacks the ones I’ve had from home bargain have lasted about 10 years 😂😂

Around 3k. We have 3 DCs and an extended family that we buy for. I save £250 a month and have a lean January (and maybe February).