Most people say that they are spending a similar amount on Christmas in 2019 as they did in 2018. The most stable predicted costs are the Christmas tree (72%) and decorations for the home (71%); somewhat less stable are the amounts allocated to presents (64%) and festive food (63%).

Where more money is being spent it tends to be on food (20% are planning to spend more on this), with savings on the tree and on decorating the home (in both cases 19% of those planning to economise). Of those who predict they’ll spend a different amount on presents than last year, exactly the same number want to spend less as those who plan to spend more (17%).

Intending to spend more on Christmas this year than last is connected to income, at both ends of the scale. Of the people surveyed, both those with the highest income per household member and those with the lowest, were more likely than the rest to declare their intention to increase their spending.

More on this subject in the CBOS report.