Hosting festive film evenings, jazzing up old party outfits, baking mince pies from scratch, and even making crackers are just a few of the things savvy Brits will be doing to prevent Christmas costs from running wild this year.
As many as eight in ten (79%) are planning a DIY Christmas this year in a bid to save cash, with hosting movie nights at home (30%) and making mince pies (26%), mulled wine (17%) and stuffing (14%) from scratch, on the back-to-basics list.
Twenty-eight per cent will choose to jazz up old party clothes rather than buy something new, while more than one in ten (13%) will be building their own DIY Christmas decorations. And rather than splashing out on expensive advent calendars, as many as 12 per cent will be attempting to create their own, while nine per cent will even make their own Christmas wreath.
According to Dr. Oetker’s research, a fifth (18%) will also use their baking skills to make gifts for family and friends. Four in ten (41%) believe that a homemade gift is more thoughtful and special than a standard shop-bought one, while a further half (51%) cherish it more.
One in three (29%) say they will try not to buy ready-made food at all over the festive period, preferring homemade, while 55% will make as much as they can from scratch and supplement with shop-bought food when necessary.
On average, Brits will spend £1,100 over the festive period, with over half (51%) saying Christmas is way more expensive than it was five years ago.
Head of Marketing—Cake, Jennifer Johnson, commented, “The research clearly shows that Brits are looking for ways to save money, and we’re delighted to see how many Brits will be trying their hand at baking from scratch this Christmas.
That’s why this year, we have created the first Festive Windough Display made almost entirely of cake to inspire the nation to start new traditions and bake a little joy this Christmas! We believe that Christmas isn’t about expensive gifts or grand gestures, but rather the little moments that make a big difference—such as baking gingerbread as a family or making gifts that mean more to the people you love.”
It’s no surprise that two-thirds (66%) think that Christmas is the most expensive time of the year. The cost of presents (61%), increasing food and drink prices (57%), shops putting up the prices (37%), and feeling compelled to buy a lot of presents (33%) all drive up the cost.
As a result, 64 per cent have had to cut back their spending in the New Year after splashing out over Christmas.
A third (27%) begin their Christmas preparations at the end of November, while one in five (22%) start planning as soon as Halloween is over.
Despite this, 81 per cent say that Christmas is the most stressful time of the year, 87 per cent think it is all worth it in the end, with three quarters (76%) going a step further and saying it is their favourite time of the year.
Four in ten (46%) say that Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year.
For more information on Dr. Oetker and its range of home baking products, please visit www.oetker.co.uk.
The Top 20 Ways Brits Will Keep the Costs Lower this Christmas
- Snuggling up on the sofa with a Christmas film – 30%
- Re-wearing an old party outfit with new accessories– 28%
- Baking mince pies from scratch – 26%
- Cooking or baking homemade gifts (chutney, pickle, cookies) – 18%
- Baking a Christmas cake – 18%
- Making mulled wine or cider – 17%
- Making your stuffing from scratch – 14%
- Baking gingerbread – 13%
- Creating DIY decorations – 13%
- Making advent calendars for your kids – 12%
- Choosing thrifty items to fill out stockings – 11%
- Knitting socks, hats or scarves as presents – 11%
- Regifting presents and wrapping paper – 10%
- Making a Christmas wreath – 9%
- Making Christmas crackers – 7%
The Festive Windough Display was launched on Saturday, November 16th, at Royal Victoria Place Shopping Centre, Tunbridge Wells, ahead of Christmas Day. The first 1,000 visitors received a free recipe card and money-off vouchers to help them recreate home-baked treats and gifts from the display in the comfort of their own homes. Showcase your festive bakes using the hashtag #BakeALittleJoyThisChristmas.
This research of 2,000 Brits was commissioned by Dr Oetker and conducted by Perspectus Global in October 2024.
You must be logged in to post a comment.