Families prepare to spend less on Christmas shopping as research reveals tighter budgets

Amid rising inflation and skyrocketing living costs, many families are preparing for a less extravagant Christmas shopping list this year — while some have foregone buying gifts altogether.

Crystelle Pizanis with her 8-year-old son, Jonathan, and 11-year-old daughter, Antonia.

For some, it is far too early to think about Christmas shopping.

But for others, rising inflation and living costs have made the looming festive season an extra pressure they need to prepare — and budget — for.

That’s the case for Crystelle Pizanis, who usually has the unenviable task buying gifts for 60 people.

“We have a very big family and lots of friends,” Mrs Pizanis said.

“We’re trying to reduce it because it’s just getting out of hand.”

Crystelle and her husband Peter Pizanis have cut back their Christmas shopping list this year

The mother-of-two has chosen to do a Secret Santa with her wider circle this year because she can’t justify splurging as much as previous years as prices accelerate across the board. She’s also opted for downloading a smartphone app to help her stick to her limited budget and is keeping a keen eye out for bargains.

Mrs Pizanis’ family is one of many choosing to spend less this year, with research commissioned by eBay and conducted by Pure Profile revealing one-quarter of Aussies plan to tighten their budgets this Christmas.

Two-in-five of the 2,111 adults surveyed across Australia reported they were buying gifts for fewer people this year.

The trend was echoed by a separate survey of the same size undertaken by Compare The Market.

The research found 40 per cent of Australians reported they will either spend less or search for more savings than they have in the past.

Research shows families are preparing to spend less on Christmas gifts this year. Picture: Kelly Barnes

While some families are being more disciplined with their gift-giving, skyrocketing living costs have forced others to reconsider whether they can buy any presents for their children.

Single mother Adrienne Patten lost her catering job during the Covid lockdown and hasn’t recovered financially since. She said she’s had to borrow money from her sister to ensure she can buy the two toys on her seven-year-old twins’ Santa list.

It’s a tough climate for many people to be thinking about Christmas shopping

The Salvation Army in Sydney’s eastern suburbs has had more requests for hampers and less donations for this time of year

“We’re struggling just to pay our bills at the moment, so Christmas shopping seems like a luxury at the moment,” Ms Patten said.

Even charities are already seeing a change in pre-festive behaviour this year.

Corps Officer of the Salvation Army Eastern Beaches, Joanne Williams, said she’s faced an increased demand from families inquiring about the Salvation Army’s Christmas hampers and toys.

“I’ve got 350 spots to fill over two weeks, and my problem becomes that if we fill all that I don’t have the capacity to try and squeeze more people in,” Ms Williams said.

“By this time, we usually also probably have more people donating food and toys, but I think a lot of people are feeling like they have less to give this year.”

And Ms Williams said many of the people who seek support from the Salvation Army do not have the means to buy gifts for their loved ones.

“The other day we had a man come in with a huge bill he couldn’t pay,” she said.

“We’ve also had lots of people struggling to afford their medications.”

“Christmas is the last thing on their mind.”