Spending less at Christmas meant more enjoyment, MSE poll finds
Cutting back didn't dent the Christmas spirit, with those who spent less having a better time than those who spent more, according to a MoneySavingExpert.com poll.
The results indicate you can enjoy yourself without flashing the cash.
The poll of nearly 4,500 site users carried out at the end of December revealed 55% spent less this Christmas compared to usual.
Yet of that group, 91% said it was either as enjoyable as ever, or even more so.
Of those who spent more, a lower 84% said Christmas was either as enjoyable as ever, or even more so.
See the tables below for the full poll results.
What consumers spent over Christmas
Expenditure | % of people |
|---|---|
Less than usual | 55% |
The same as usual | 30% |
More than usual | 15% |
Christmas enjoyable for those who spent less?
Enjoyability | % of people |
|---|---|
More enjoyable | 30% |
The same | 61% |
Less enjoyable | 9% |
Christmas enjoyable for those who spent more?
Enjoyability | % of people |
|---|---|
More enjoyable | 32% |
The same | 52% |
Less enjoyable | 16% |
In the run-up to the festivities, MoneySavingExpert.com urged users in the mire to cut back on spending to avoid a new year filled with debt.
We also encouraged MoneySavers to think of free or cheap presents, or even to buy no presents at all (see MoneySavingExpert.com creator Martin Lewis' blog: Is it time to ban Christmas presents?).
Our Festive Fivers competition also had more than 250 entrants this year. They showed that with a little imagination, effort and a few quid, you don't need to spend big to put a smile on loved ones' faces.
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20 May 2025
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