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Spending less at Christmas meant more enjoyment, MSE poll finds

christmaspresents
Helen Knapman
Helen Knapman
News & Investigations Editor
7 January 2013

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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Christmas spending

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