People are reaching deeper into their wallets during the Advent period. This year, respondents plan to spend an average of 58,000 forints on gift shopping, which most of them would like to surprise six people - according to a survey conducted by Budapest Bank on Christmas spending.
Respondents typically cover their holiday expenses with their current salary or savings, while a quarter plan to borrow money. In general, respondents are reluctant to borrow for holiday spending, but a quarter said they would need a bank loan to buy Christmas presents.
Sustainability considerations are increasingly important in the selection and packaging of gifts, but few people still need to send their remaining Christmas food to those in need - read the Budapest Bank statement.
A representative survey of Budapest Bank on Christmas-related spending reveals that Hungarian consumers spend more on Christmas gifts each year: respondents plan to spend an average of 58 thousand for this year, while last year 56 thousand and 52 thousand for Christmas . 38 percent of those surveyed have no financial burden at all, compared with 47 percent in the capital. However, the number of donated people remains unchanged, and for years, respondents have been trying to surprise an average of six people, so this year they will cost around 10,000 forints.
Most respondents would like to surprise their partner, child and parents again this year. The most popular surprises are still the perfume, the clothes and the book, while the sweets are also popular among distant relatives, friends and co-workers.
48% of survey respondents find the gift received useful, and most useless gifts (such as drinks, candles, socks, ornamentation) are often left unused or simply given away. Already, 45 percent of those who give gifts are considered useful, who typically avoid buying useless surprises by paying attention to what they want or simply asking what they need.
When it comes to choosing a Christmas gift, good value for money and longevity come first, along with low power consumption and an extensive service network for technical items. Three-quarters of all respondents typically pack gifts, while just over two-thirds do so.
Respondents are also price-sensitive when buying food for the holidays, as almost all of them consider a good price important, but in this case, durability is the second, while the third most important aspect is that the food is made from natural ingredients.
Regarding the fate of the remaining food, 58 percent of the respondents freeze or preserve it, while 28 percent give it to an animal and 13 percent discard it. The proportion of those who think they are giving the remaining Christmas food and cakes to those in need is only 13 percent.
(Source: marmalade.co.uk; hirado.com | Image: pixabay.com)