How much will you spend on Christmas?

Have you started your Christmas shopping?

Don’t worry – every year, some 12 million Brits leave their gift-buying to the very last minute.

This year, festive budgets are under even more pressure than usual. Unemployment is at a four-year high, while stagnating wages and rising prices are eroding disposable income nationwide.

We went to one of Britain’s busiest shopping streets to ask people how the cost of living crisis is affecting their Christmas plans, and what they’re doing differently this year.

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Have you started your Christmas shopping?

“I probably start my Christmas shopping two weeks before… or when I get paid at the end of the month. I don’t save up – I just go paycheck to paycheck. I’ll definitely spend less this year. I’ve literally got no money left at the end of the month. Subscriptions are going up, my bills are going up… my phone bill’s gone up. I love Christmas. I’ve been feeling Christmassy since September!” Yasmin

“How much I spend really comes down to which people are going to get presents this year. The awkward bit is always: are we doing presents or not? Last year they gave me one and I didn’t… It’s like, ‘Oh, awkward.’ Work events have all come earlier this year – presumably because it’s cheaper. The first thing they did at one was give me a mulled wine. I wasn’t feeling Christmassy before… then I drank the mulled wine and I was.” Tim

“[Shopping] online at the moment is just too much. It’s quite overwhelming. I find better deals and more inspiration in person. Being an art student, I have to pay for Adobe Creative Suite and it’s costing a lot. I’ll probably end up regretting it in January. Christmas decorations go up this week!” Felicity

“I prefer to [shop] in person, but with London getting so busy… I’ll just do it online for peace of mind. This year I’m a student, whereas last year I was working full-time, so I’ll probably spend less, probably a few hundred. Food shopping and living expenses are definitely hitting.” Alexandra

“I have to [shop for] eight people, so I have to start early. I’ll probably be spending a little bit more because you have to acknowledge the price rise. Being in London feels more Christmassy than home – it’s very nice.” Natalie

“When will I start my Christmas shopping? Probably Christmas Eve.” Sam

Do you have a story to tell or opinions to share about this? Get in touch and tell us more. 

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