Millions of Australian parents fear they cannot afford Christmas food or presents

More than one million Australian parents have stopped talking to their children about Christmas because they simply cannot afford to celebrate, devastating new survey data shows.

Ann, a mother of seven with her 11-month-old daughter Rubyrose, once spent Christmas in a car with her children. Picture: Jonathan Ng

One in five Australians fear their children will miss out on presents and one in ten are worried their kids will miss out on food as the cost-of-living crisis crippling families this Christmas, shock new research has found.

And perhaps the most heartbreaking statistic is that more than one million Australians will not even speak to their children about Christmas because they simply can’t afford it.

The research commissioned by The Salvation Army is based on a survey of more than 2000 Australians conducted by pollsters Pureprofile, which has been weighted to reflect the national demographics and then extrapolated across the population.

It paints an extraordinarily bleak picture as the nation heads into what is supposed to be the festive season.

One in five Australians fear their children will miss out on presents this Christmas.

Half of those surveyed — 49 per cent, equivalent to 10.8 million Australians — are concerned about how they will afford Christmas this year

More than a third say they will be relying on credit cards and one in six using buy-now pay-later schemes.

Even more disturbingly one in five will be foregoing medical treatment and the same number going without food in order to afford Christmas expenses.

Commissioner Mark Campbell said it was a tragedy that so many would be struggling and desperate at such a special time.

“Christmas is a wonderful time of year for so many, but for some, it can be extremely difficult and stressful,” he told The Daily Telegraph.

“Our research reflects this, with everyday Aussies having to choose between medication,

utilities, food or having a special Christmas for themselves and their children.

“This breaks our heart, but also reminds us of the incredible privilege it is as The Salvation Army to support and stand alongside those doing it tough during the festive season.”

Mother of seven, Ann, escaped an appallingly abusive childhood only to find herself in a succession of violent relationships over more than two decades.

She tearfully recalled one Christmas she spent living in a car with her children.

Ann is a DV survivor who is now safe and well with her children, thanks to the Salvos. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“One Christmas that I did have to reach out to the Salvation Army was just before I ended up in the women’s refuge,” she told the Telegraph.

“I actually spent Christmas in the car with the kids.”

Thanks to the Salvos she was at least able to provide presents to her children and provide some small joy in her darkest time.

“So they still got a gift through the Salvation Army and stuff like that but we spent that Christmas in the car and honestly — that’s it I’m gonna get emotional — that would’ve been one of the hardest times for me as a mum because at that time I felt like I was failing my own children and I felt like I was my mum.”

Thanks to the Salvos she did get into that refuge and is now living safe and happy in Western Sydney. Miraculously she even reconnected with a childhood sweetheart and they now have a new baby who will be 11 months old on December 25.

And Ann, who cannot reveal her last name for her own protection, is about to become a Salvation Army soldier after allowing herself one final glass of champagne for her upcoming 40th birthday.

Ann’s children — including one stepson — are now aged between 18 and coming on one, and she is overwhelmed with joy and relief that she has finally been able to save them and others from the life she endured.

Yet were it not for the Salvos she would not be alive to tell her story.

“They were my saving grace,” she says.

“Without the Salvation Army I probably would be dead. And that’s the easiest way to say it.”

To support The Salvation Army Christmas Appeal go to salvos.org.au

Originally published as Millions of Australian parents fear they cannot afford Christmas food or presents