Consumers 'Cutting Back' On Christmas

Christmas

First Posted: 31/10/11 07:30 GMT Updated: 31/10/11 07:30 GMT   PA

Consumers are tightening the purse strings this Christmas as new research has found that three-quarters of adults are cutting back on festive spending this year.

Celebrations, party outfits and presents for friends are most likely to be cut back on, according to The Co-operative annual Christmas spending survey.

Of the 3,000 people questioned, 55% plan to reduce the amount they spend on presents, but the majority refuse to pinch the pennies when it comes to Christmas dinner.

John Hughes, director of retail banking at The Co-operative Bank, said: "The results from the findings show that, for the second year running, people are planning to cut back on their festive spending.

"It is a continuing trend, as people are increasingly looking to take more responsibility and control over their money in tough economic times.

"Setting a budget for Christmas and then sticking to this, will allow people to enjoy the festive period, without beginning the new year with a financial hangover."

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Consumers are tightening the purse strings this Christmas as new research has found that three-quarters of adults are cutting back on festive spending this year. Celebrations, party outfits and pre...
Consumers are tightening the purse strings this Christmas as new research has found that three-quarters of adults are cutting back on festive spending this year. Celebrations, party outfits and pre...
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Thismortalcoil
Science is the poetry of reality
03:22 PM on 10/31/2011
It's all too easy to get caught up in a shopping frenzy, and forget that the important thing is spending time with your friends and family. For a few years now my partner and I have opted out of buying and receiving presents completely (except for the children in our family) and we enjoy Christmas a lot more as a result.

Instead of spending all that time in the shops and wrapping presents, we concentrate on catching up with everyone and enjoying the company of all the people we care about.

I think most people would far rather have a memorable night of good food and laughter than a present they wouldn't buy for themselves. And if people are hard up, it removes the pressure from them at what can be a very stressful time of year.
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HUFFPOST BLOGGER
Lawyer13
retired Lawyer, General and Psychiatric Nurse, wit
11:47 AM on 10/31/2011
This is hardly a surprise in the present economic climate, in any case people in my view spend to much (and generally money they can not afford) on this festive occasion.