If inflation has quickly become a source of concern for the French, the Christmas period exacerbates this feeling. Limiting spending is becoming the rule for many.
According to an Ifop* study carried out for Dons Solidaires (which distributes Christmas gifts each year through 350 partner associations), 34% of the French people surveyed fear the fact that they will not be able to give gifts or give few. They are 4 points more than in 2021. A figure that rises to 44% for parents (+8 points).
This anxiety arouses a feeling of shame or guilt in 43% of those who will offer few or no gifts…
At the same time, 21% fear that they will not be able to serve “a good meal” compared to 17% two years earlier. Anxiety rising to 27% for parents (compared to 22% in 2019).
It must be said that almost 9 out of 10 French people feel that the price of toys has risen this year, which is true. The average increase reached 6% compared to the price published last year at the same time.
As a result, one in two French people (51%) indicates that their gift budget will be lower than in previous years, this is 4 points more compared to 2021. 63% declare that they will give smaller gifts while 49% are will move towards second-hand products.
Some will forego other expenses in order to please their loved ones. Thus, 49% will limit outings, 29% will cut the vacation budget, 20% will limit non-family gifts, 19% will buy fewer clothes. While 18% have family help to make these purchases.
“While Christmas should be a time for rejoicing, people in precarious situations have to forego gift-giving and this time of year becomes synonymous with worry and sadness. We see in this 3rd barometer that one in two parents will stop buying all or part of their Christmas gifts, a figure that has increased considerably compared to last year in a context of general price increases. For this reason, associations like Dons Solidaires are fundamental so that the poorest can give and receive gifts”, explains Dominique Besançon, General Delegate of Dons Solidaires.
another study confirm these waivers. Still according to Ifop (but for Voyage Way this time), 18% of respondents say they will not give gifts this year compared to 10% in 2021. It is within couples that the drop in donations should be felt : little more. Half the people in a relationship will give their spouse a gift this year.
And as a general rule, gifts will be less (56%, +5 points compared to 2021) and cheaper for 64% of those surveyed, (+8 points compared to 2021).
*: The survey was conducted with a sample of 1,501 respondents, representative of the French population aged 18 and over. The representativeness of the sample was ensured by the quota method: sex, age, socio-professional category, prior stratification by region and by agglomeration category.
Source: BFM TV
