18% of French people do not intend to offer gifts to their loved ones this year

by time news

This proportion is up sharply compared to 2021, reveals an Ifop study for Voyages Way published this week.

The holiday season is supposed to be one of the times when the French spend the most. At the end of a year marked by high inflation, however, the French should be more cautious about their budget. This is underlined by an Ifop poll for the Voyage Way site, published on November 24.

Impacted by the general rise in prices, and in particular that of energy, the French now see Christmas as a difficult period, changing their habits. In total, 51% of them are “stressed by the financial burden of Christmas gifts” – a proportion up 12 points in two years. A much more important criterion for women (59%) than for men (42%).

If the current period is conducive to purchases on December 25, the proportion of French people intending to make gifts is down. And this, regardless of the recipients. 82% of respondents plan to offer gifts. A fall of 8 points compared to the last wave. 18% therefore do not intend to do so. In detail, this affects gifts for a family member (22%, +8 points), a spouse (43%, +9 points) or a friend (62%), +6 points) .

If it’s the intention that counts, as the saying goes, a majority of French people find solutions not to arrive empty-handed on New Year’s Eve. 64% of respondents (+8 points) will therefore buy less expensive gifts, 56% plan to buy fewer (+5 points) and 53% will offer gifts to fewer people.

If expenses have multiplied this year, the average budget for Christmas is not melting. In total, the latter will be 386 euros, down 5.4% compared to last year, which was 408 euros. Furthermore, the inflationary context will have a significant impact on French spending on festivities or leisure activities. 83% will reduce their non-food budget (decoration, outfits, etc.), 73% that of gifts offered, and 71% that of holiday meals. 83% of respondents should also reduce the frequency of dining out, 81% that of end-of-year cultural events. A Christmas under constraint, then.

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