Brief
UK families brace for £1,500 Christmas spend as costs surge
A third of Britons say they may borrow to cover the higher festive costs, according to a Park survey.
By Felo News Desk · Published
According to a survey by Park, the UK's largest Christmas savings club, the average household is expected to spend £1,502 on Christmas this year – about £400 more than last year – as food, energy and housing costs rise.
What happened
The study found households plan to allocate £693.80 to presents, £185.80 to a Christmas dinner and £158.20 to snacks, sweets and treats. When drinks, decorations and festive activities are added, the total rises to £1,502. Four out of five adults said they were worried about affording a decent festive period.
What the reports add
The survey broke down spending by generation. Gen Z households expect to spend £2,274, more than two‑and‑a‑half times the £870 budgeted by Baby Boomers. Gen Z also anticipate higher costs for gifts (£851.50 vs £465.70 for Boomers), dinner (£285.20 vs £110.70) and treats (£275.20 vs £84.50). Millennials and Generation X fall between the two extremes.
What was said
Park’s findings were reported by the Daily Mail, which noted that 35 % of respondents said they were prepared to take on debt to cover Christmas expenses. Of those, 23 % would use a credit card, 9 % an overdraft or loan, and 3 % would borrow from friends or family. Only 22 % said they had saved throughout the year for the holiday.
How it came about
The survey reflects broader cost‑of‑living pressures highlighted in recent analyses, including a World Economic Forum report that warned of intensifying food and energy costs for households. Rising energy bills forecast for 2027 and early‑year forecasts for a £300 jump in dual‑fuel bills further contextualise the financial strain facing UK families this festive season.
Key facts
- Average UK household Christmas spend projected at £1,502 (dailymail.co.uk)
- £400 increase over last year's average spend (dailymail.co.uk)
- 35% of respondents may go into debt to afford Christmas (dailymail.co.uk)
- Gen Z households expect to spend £2,274, far above Baby Boomers' £870 (dailymail.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] dailymail.co.uk — originally reported as “Families face £400 rise in Christmas bill as cost of living bites”
