MSE Forum Poll: Are you spending more, less or the same on Christmas this year?

Former_MSE_Daniel

With the festive season in full swing, many of us are feeling the pinch of rising costs – but others might be finding ways to cut back or keep things steady. From gifts and food to travel and decorations, Christmas can quickly add up.

We’d love to know how you think your spending for this Christmas compares to last year. 

Are you splashing out a little more, tightening the belt, or keeping things about the same? Cast your vote in the poll and join the discussion with your tips and experiences!

ButterCheese

We spending the same amount on relatives as we always did, and we'd buy the same amount of food and drink.  But as prices have gone up, we'll be paying more.  But we are not proactively spending more

twopenny

The prices have gone astronomical so decided to make do with what I've got.
It's got silly now.
In fact I've noticed quite a shift in what people are doing and the amount of pre Christmas display around here.

subjecttocontract

We're fortunate that we aren't 'feeling the pinch'. We are spending less on gifts for adults but more on gifts for children, so about the same. We buy and receive gifts all year round so never feel the need to go OTT just at Christmas.

alamest

Interesting to read how everyone’s approach has shifted this year. For us it’s a mix spending a fair bit less on the “extra” Christmas stuff, but still keeping the bits that matter. Food costs alone feel higher than last year even though the menu is basically the same, so it’s not really about cutting back on celebration… just trimming the unnecessary parts.

We’re trying to be a bit more mindful this time round: fewer impulse presents, more homemade things, and focusing on time with family rather than feeling pressured to overspend. Curious to know if anyone else has found that the *expectation* of Christmas has changed more than the actual budget? 

JosephK

Still keep seeing reports of people spending silly amounts and then complaining they can't afford it. Or maybe that's just standard media exaggeration.

And, yes. there are those who genuinely can't afford much and need a helping hand.

CrazyBee787

I proactively spent less on presents, not being a grinch but I spent too much previous years and it was not appreciated, so I made better gift choices, although I may spend a tad more next year. As for food I pre-ordered from the M&S catalogue it was a vegetarian wellington (so not the pricey wellington that everyone talks about!) and I was very pleased with the taste and convenience I plan on buying this again next year if it is available that is (I decided to treat myself this year because at the time of ordering I had a job & a lodger and I thought why not!). As for other food I did spend more overall in December and more then in previous years. However overall I spent less and the choices were better made, also I bought cheap meat such as beef and pork at a fraction of the price as it was Christmas and this meat gets forgotton, I would have bought lamb as well but all of that had sold out at the time. Still I made good use of the deduction on beef and pork.